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"December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)"
Single by The Four Seasons from the album Who Loves You
B-side	"Slip Away"
Released	December 1975
Format	7"
Recorded	1975
Length	3:21
Label	Warner / Curb Records
Writer	Bob Gaudio, Judy Parker
Producer	Bob Gaudio
Certification	RIAA gold
The Four Seasons singles chronology
"Who Loves You" (1975) "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" (1975) "Silver Star" (1976)

"December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" is a hit single by The Four Seasons, written by original-Four Seasons keyboard player Bob Gaudio and his future wife Judy Parker, produced by Gaudio, and included on the group's 1975 album Who Loves You.

This song hit number one on the UK singles chart on February 21, 1976. It repeated the feat on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on March 13, remaining in the top spot for three weeks. New drummer Gerry Polci and guitarist Don Ciccone shared lead vocals with long-time frontman Frankie Valli.

The song was originally about the repeal of Prohibition, but the lyrics were changed at the urgings of Valli and lyricist Parker. The song became a nostalgic remembrance of a young man's "first time" with a woman. In the Broadway play Jersey Boys, the song accompanied the Bob Gaudio character being set up with a prostitute by the other Four Seasons, in order to lose his virginity.

In 1994, the record was re-released with added percussion effects and remixed vocals (mixed by Dutch disk jockey Ben Liebrand in 1988). This version of "December, 1963" spent 27 weeks on the Hot 100 (matching the chart life of the original single). The peak position of the remix version was #14.

• French singer Claude François covered the song on his 1976 album Le Vagabond [1]; his version was entitled “Cette année-là” (“That Year”). Incorporating new lyrics reminiscing François' own beginnings in show business in the year 1962, the song became a hit in Europe.

• Singer Tomaž Domicelj covered the song on his album Na planini je živel; his version was entitled “Jamajka” (“Jamaica”). Whether it is a cover of the original song or Claude François’ is unclear.

• In 1996, British dance duo Clock took it to #13 in the UK chart.

• The singer Vitamin C's version of the song was used as a brand image theme by the American television network The WB in image spots, promos, and interstitials during the 1999-2000 television season.

• It was covered as a disco hit by the French artist Yannick (not to be confused with Yannick Noah) in the year 2000 under the title "Ces soirées-là" ("Those Nights There"). The lyrics recount the fun had at a certain night club.

• Wyclef Jean has done a hip-hop version of this song, titled "What A Night" about his journey as a hip-hop artist, released on the album Masquerade.

• In 2001, Mr. Vegas (together with singer Jackie) did a cover of this song which was featured on his album Damn Right.

• Billy Joel is often incorrectly credited with recording a cover of this song, but no such recording exists.

Oh, what a night, late December back in '63 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!

Oh, I got a funny feeling when she walked in the room And I, as I recall it ended much too soon

(Oh what a night), Hypnotizing, mesmerizing me She was everything I dreamed she'd be Sweet surrender, what a night!

I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder Straining my head around and taking my body under

(Oh what a night!)

Oh, I got a funny feeling when she walked in the room And I, as I recall it ended much too soon

Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit

Oh what a night, Why'd it take so long to see the light? Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right What a lady, what a night!

I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder Straining my head around and taking my body under

(Oh what a night!)

I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder Straining my head around and taking my body under

Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit Oh what a night! Doo dit doo dit dit doo dit doo dit dit

Repeat 2x

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