December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night) – The Four Seasons | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 3 weeks); 1976
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
The 4 Seasons first gained national prominence as the Four Lovers in 1956 when The Apple Of My Eye charted. Six years passed before Sherry propelled them to #1 and a career as one of the most successful groups of the 1960’s.
By the turn of the decade New Jersey’s finest had placed 34 sides in the Hot 100, then the hits dried up until 1975 when Who Loves You, penned by long-time Seasons’ hit song writer Bob Gaudio and his wife-to-be Judy Parker, reached #3.
The follow-up single, December, 1963, was another Gaudio/Parker collaboration. Bob’s original lyrics concerned the repeal of prohibition in the 1930’s before the two reworked it.
Unlike all other hits by the group, December featured – in addition to lead singer Frankie Valli – vocals from two other Seasons: bassist Gerri Polci and drummer Don Ciccone. The formula returned the Seasons to the top for the first time since the summer of 1964 when Rag Doll hit #1.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Bob Gaudio
Lyrics Written by:
- Bob Gaudio
- Judy Parker
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).