Pop Rock
The song was written by the usual songwriting team suspects for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. It became a big hit for Frankie Valli in 1967, going to #1 on U.S. Cash Box Top 100 as well as #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Canadian Top Singles Chart. Bob Crewe produced the record ; Phil Ramone was the engineer; and Artie Schroeck was the arranger.
Valli said that he believes “It’s a very, very tough song to do badly. When the song is that strong to start off with, that’s the kind of song you look for.” Gaudio, looking at it from the writer’s perspective, felt it was challenging to write and feels it uses a wide vocal range for the singer. Gaudio also thinks it’s a mixture of rock, pop, and middle of the road. Both viewpoints probably help to explain why so many singers from different genres and styles have chosen to cover the song.
The number of versions is legion and rivals many for the most-covered song of all time. The long list includes The Lettermen, Andy Williams, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Easybeats, The Supremes, Manic Street Preachers, Brook Benton, Bobby Darin, Julio Iglesias, Shirley Bassey, Gloria Gaynor, Pet Shop Boys, Lauryn Hill, Sheena Easton, Barry Manilow, Clay Aiken, and so many more from around the world.
Frankie Valli was born Francesco Stephen Castelluccio ion May 3, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey. And what a star and American icon he has been, from 1953 until the present. He continues to tour and perform.
