Tag Archives: The Four Seasons

♫ Stay ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, music, music history

More Jackson Browne Week today!  I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really enjoying this one … playing some old favourites, and learning some new tunes I hadn’t heard before!  Today’s Jackson Browne song is probably my second favourite, after Doctor, My Eyes.

I did not realize until tonight that this was a cover by Jackson Browne.  It was originally written by Maurice Williams in 1953 when he was 15 years old.  It was recorded by Williams and his band, the Zodiacs in 1960.  Their version hit #1 in the U.S. and #14 in the UK.  Then in 1963, both The Hollies and The Four Seasons released a version, both of which charted — The Hollies did better in the UK (#8) and The Four Seasons fared better in the U.S. (#16).  And then in 1977, Jackson Browne included it on his album, Running On Empty, then released it as a single that charted at #12 in the UK and #20 in the U.S.  From 1960 to 1977 through four bands and still charted every time … that’s what I call “staying power”!

Other than that, I don’t have much background info on Jackson Browne’s version other than what I found on Wikipedia …

The song, which follows on the heels of Browne’s “The Load-Out” begs the audience to stay for an encore and includes an extensive playout. It includes backing contributions from David Lindley and Rosemary Butler. Billboard described this version as “spirited and gospel-like”.  Cash Box said that it has “effective guitar and keyboard solos and an easy beat” and “pleasing lead vocals”, and that “David Lindley draws appreciation from the audience with his teasing falsetto”.  Record World said that “David Lindley’s falsetto vocals and guitar lend an able hand, and the live quality is appealing.”

Stay

Jackson Browne

People stay just a little bit longer
We want to play, just a little bit longer

Now the promoter don’t mind
And the union don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave it all behind and sing
One more song

Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer
Please, please, please say you will
Say you will

Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer
Oh please, please stay just a little bit more

Now the promoter don’t mind
And the roadies don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave this all behind and sing
One more song

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Maurice Williams

Stay lyrics © Tintoretto Music, Mushroom Music Pty. Ltd., Cherio Corporation, Chrysalis Music Ltd, Mushroom Music Pty Ltd, Cherio Corp

♫ Working My Way Back To You ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music

This is one that, while it isn’t actually Motown, certainly makes me think of Motown.  I last played it in 2018, near the beginning of my music posts, and it’s been lying around collecting dust since then!

Working My Way Back to You is a song made popular by The Four Seasons in 1966 and again by The Spinners in 1980.

Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, the song was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in 1966, reaching number nine on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In the UK Top 50 chart it spent three weeks – all at No. 50. It is the only hit to feature the group’s arranger Charles Calello in the temporary role of bassist/bass vocalist, having replaced original member Nick Massi.

Another story-telling song, like Lying Eyes, the song is about a man who cheated on his girlfriend and also emotionally abused her. When she leaves, he realizes that he did love her and is very remorseful about his past actions. He vows to win her love back.  Why do all the ‘story-telling’ songs have to be about cheating?

My preference by far is The Spinner’s version, but I tender both here, in the interest of fairness, and you can choose your own fave.  The video quality on The Spinner’s version is poor, for which I apologize, but this one had the best sound quality of the 3-4 I listened to, so I went with it.

Working My Way Back to You
The Four Seasons/The Spinners

I’ll be working my way back to you, babe, with a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe, and the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been payin’ ev’ry day)

When you were so in love with me, I played around like I was free
Thought I could have my cake and eat it too, but how I cried over losin’ you
See me down and out, but I ain’t about to go living my life without you
For every day I made you cry
I’ll pay and girl, till the day that I die

I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe, with a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe, and the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been payin’ ev’ry day)

Oh, I used to love to make you cry
It made me feel like a man inside
If I’d been a man in reality, you’d be here, babe, lovin’ me
Now my nights are long and lonely, and I ain’t too strong, babe
I just miss you so
Girl, but you’re too proud, and you won’t give in
But when I think about all I could win

I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe, with a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe, and the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been payin’ ev’ry day)

My road is kind alone
I just gotta get back home
I’m really sorry for acting that way
I’m really sorry
Oh little girl I’m really sorry
For telling you lies for so long
Oh please forgive girl
Come on (give me a chance)
Won’t you forgive me, girl
Hey (let’s have romance)
Ooh, forgive me, girl (let’s try again)
Come on, forgive me, girl
I want you over and over
And over and over again

I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe
And the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been paying every day)
I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe

Songwriters: Denny Randell / Sandy Linzer
Working My Way Back to You lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

♫ Walk Like A Man ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music

Tuesday night, I couldn’t stay asleep for some reason.  I was trying to think of the name of a particular song to play for a friend, and while I never did come up with that one, this song, Walk Like a Man, popped into my head and refused to leave all day yesterday!  It’s not an all-time favourite, but it has a decent sound to it, so in order to exorcise it from my head, I’m sharing it here with you!  The most interesting bit of trivia is the actual recording of this song back in January, 1963, sixty years ago!

The Four Seasons were recording this at a studio in the Abbey Victoria Hotel in New York, when a fire broke out in the rooms above the studio.  As smoke began to enter the studio, producer Bob Crewe locked the studio door and was determined to get the perfect recording, no matter what!  Soon, water began dripping from the ceiling, but no matter … the recording must go on!  Ultimately, firemen broke into the studio with axes, knocking Bob Crewe to the floor in the process!

This would go on to become the third #1 hit for The Four Seasons, after Sherry and Big Girls Don’t Cry, and also made it to #1 in New Zealand, and #12 in the UK.

Walk Like A Man

The Four Seasons

Ooh-wee-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-wee
Walk, walk, walk, walk
Ooh-wee-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
Walk like a man

Oh, how you tried to cut me down to size
Tellin’ dirty lies to my friends (ooh-ah, ooh-ah, ooh-ah, ooh)
But my own father said give her up, don’t bother
The world isn’t comin’ to an end
(He said)

Walk like a man, talk like a man
Walk like a man, my son
No woman’s worth crawlin’ on the earth
So walk like a man, my son

Oh wee ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-wee-ooh
Walk, walk, walk, walk
Ooh-wee-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh

Bye, baby, I don’t-a mean maybe
Gonna get along somehow (ooh-ah, ooh-ah, ooh-ah, ooh)
Soon you’ll be cryin’ on account of all your lyin’
Oh yeah, just look who’s laughin’ now
(I’m gonna)

Walk like a man, fast as I can
Walk like a man from you
I’ll tell the world, forget about it, girl
And walk like a man from you

Ooh-wee-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-wee-ooh
Walk, walk, walk, walk
Ooh-wee-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh
Walk, walk, walk, walk
Walk, walk, walk, walk
Ooh-wee-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-wee-ooh

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Robert Crewe / Robert Gaudio

Walk Like A Man lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

♫ Working My Way Back To You ♫

Posted on by under music

Working My Way Back to You is a song made popular by The Four Seasons in 1966 and again by The Spinners in 1980.

Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, the song was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in 1966, reaching number nine on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In the UK Top 50 chart it spent three weeks – all at No. 50. It is the only hit to feature the group’s arranger Charles Calello in the temporary role of bassist/bass vocalist, having replaced original member Nick Massi.

Another story-telling song, like Lying Eyes, the song is about a man who cheated on his girlfriend and also emotionally abused her. When she leaves, he realizes that he did love her and is very remorseful about his past actions. He vows to win her love back.  Why do all the ‘story-telling’ songs have to be about cheating?

My preference by far is The Spinner’s version, but I tender both here, in the interest of fairness, and you can choose your own fave.  The video quality on The Spinner’s version is poor, for which I apologize, but this one had the best sound quality of the 3-4 I listened to, so I went with it.

Working My Way Back to You
The Four Seasons/The Spinners

I’ll be working my way back to you, babe, with a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe, and the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been payin’ ev’ry day)

When you were so in love with me, I played around like I was free
Thought I could have my cake and eat it too, but how I cried over losin’ you
See me down and out, but I ain’t about to go living my life without you
For every day I made you cry
I’ll pay and girl, till the day that I die

I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe, with a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe, and the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been payin’ ev’ry day)

Oh, I used to love to make you cry
It made me feel like a man inside
If I’d been a man in reality, you’d be here, babe, lovin’ me
Now my nights are long and lonely, and I ain’t too strong, babe
I just miss you so
Girl, but you’re too proud, and you won’t give in
But when I think about all I could win

I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe, with a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe, and the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been payin’ ev’ry day)

My road is kind alone
I just gotta get back home
I’m really sorry for acting that way
I’m really sorry
Oh little girl I’m really sorry
For telling you lies for so long
Oh please forgive girl
Come on (give me a chance)
Won’t you forgive me, girl
Hey (let’s have romance)
Ooh, forgive me, girl (let’s try again)
Come on, forgive me, girl
I want you over and over
And over and over again

I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe
With a burning love inside
Yeah, I’m working my way back to you, babe
And the happiness that died
I let it get away
(Been paying every day)
I’ll keep working my way back to you, babe

Songwriters: Denny Randell / Sandy Linzer
Working My Way Back to You lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC