THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

739-The Four Seasons-December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night.)

1976-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.13. Who’s says men can’t multitask, the drummer sings at the same time as well.

The Four Seasons (see also best songs 284) were formed in Newark, New Jersey, United States, in 1960, the only two constants have been Frankie Valli, (see also best songs 284 and 83) and Bob Gaudio, (see also best songs 1007-914-863-499-393-284-164 and 112) who each own 50% of the act, and virtually all of the recording catalogue. At the time of writing Frankie Valli stills tours with other musicians using ‘The Four Seasons’ name, and is the groups only original performer, following the retirement from performing live by Bob Gaudio.

By 1975 The Four Seasons hadn’t had a major hit for eight years, and with the exception of Frankie Valli, and Bob Gaudio, the other members who had performed on the 1960’s hits had all gone. The replacements who performed on ‘December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night’) along with Frankie Valli, (vocals) and Bob Gaudio, (keyboards) were Gerry Polci, (drums, and lead vocals) Don Ciccone, (1946-2016) bass, and vocals) John Paiva, (guitar) and Lee Shapiro (synthesizers.) The vocals on ‘December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night’) were shared by Gerry Polci, (verses) Franki Valli, (first bridge, and backing vocals) and Don Ciccone (second bridge, and backing vocals.) The song was co-written by Bob Gaudio, and his then future wife Judy Parker, (1938-2017) with the production being by Gaudio. ‘December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night’) was the second of three singles released from The Four Seasons 14th studio Album ‘Who Loves You,’ from December 1975, and would go on to become the groups best ever selling single, giving them a fifth American Billboard Hot 100 Number 1, and their first UK Number 1 song.

‘December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night’) was originally written by Bob Gaudio, and Judy Parker about the end of prohibition in America, which had lasted between 1920-1933, the songs original title was ‘December 5th, 1933.’ On hearing the song, and realising it’s potential, Frankie Valli urged Bob Gaudio to change the songs subject. Gaudio re-wrote the lyrics, which became a nostalgic remembrance of a young man’s first affair, being loosely based on the early relationship between Bob Gaudio, and Judy Parker. The group were relieved when the song did receive play on the more ‘conservative’ radio stations, as the song does have ‘sexual overtones,’ Frankie Valli has said,’It’s about losing your cherry, a guy having sex for the first time. It’s a similar theme to the Shirelles hit Will You Love Me Tomorrow.’

Gerri Polci who played the drums, and also sang the lead vocal on ‘December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night’) is an American, who was born on June 9th, 1952. He was a member of The Four Seasons between 1973-1990, and was briefly married to Antonia Valli, the daughter of Frankie Valli. Their daughter, (Frankie Valli’s granddaughter) Olivia Valli, is now a musical theatre performer, and she has taken the role of her own grandmother in the musical ‘Jersey Boys’ that dramatises the early days of The Four Seasons. Polci’s other notable work includes musical arrangements for Barry Manilow, (see also best songs 750) and co-founding in 2007, the group ‘The Hit Men,’ which included fellow former The Four Seasons band members Lee Shapiro, and Don Ciccone.

‘December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night’) was remixed in 1988 by the Dutch music producer Ben Liebrand (see also best songs 781.) In 1993, ‘Curb Records,’ who had released the original version of the song, picked up the 1988 remix and released it in America, where it peaked at Number 14 on Billboard. On hearing the remix Frankie Valli who was not a fan of the new version said,’I’ll never like it better than when it was pure.’ In 1996 the British ‘Pop/Dance’ act ‘Clock,’ took their cover version of the song to Number 13 in the UK. The French singer Claude François (1939-1978) recorded a translated version of ‘December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night’) as ‘Cette année-là,’ which means, ‘That Year,’ the lyrics to his version were written by Eddy Marnay, (1920-2003) and set the song in 1962, with François referencing his rise to fame. In 2000, this version was interpolated by the French rapper Yannick, as ‘Ces soirées-là,’ which means ‘These Evenings,’ this version was a Number 1 hit in France, and was used in the opening act of the stage show ‘Jersey Boys,’ which is based on the story of The Four Seasons.

‘Oh, what a night, late December back in sixty-three. What a very special time for me, as I remember what a night. Oh, what a night, you know I didn’t even know her name, but I was never gonna be the same. what a lady, what a night.’