Who Loves You (song)
Encyclopedia
"Who Loves You" is the title song of a 1975 album by The Four Seasons. It was composed by Bob Gaudio
and Judy Parker
and produced by Gaudio. Reaching #3 on the Billboard
Top 100
in November 1975, it re-established The Four Seasons as a viable recording group (even though their popularity as a performing group had never flagged) after a five year absence from the Hot 100, and five years after their last single on Philips Records
("Patch of Blue").
and released one album and three singles for the organization in 1972 and 1973. All Motown recordings failed to chart in the U.S. and the company dropped the band. In August, "Who Loves You" entered the Hot 100 as Valli's "Swearin' to God" was sliding off the chart. The intended lead singer was not Frankie Valli
, but Don Ciccone. To capitalize on Valli's recent successes with "My Eyes Adored You
" & "Swearin' to God", it was decided he would instead sing lead.
album is four minutes, 20 seconds, long and begins with a short percussion section before the start of the vocals. The A-side of the single has a 4 minute 4 second version which starts with an unusual "fade-in" beginning, starting with the first word of the lyrics; the B-side (labeled "Who Loves You (disco version)") is the same as the A-side, with the instrumental break done twice and the song ending sooner.
Although the trademark Four Seasons' falsetto is present on "Who Loves You," Valli's vocal performance on the recording is limited to singing lead on the verses
For a record from a group so long without any charted records, "Who Loves You" was a tremendous success. Released in August 1975, the single spent 20 weeks on the Hot 100 (longer than any Four Seasons single before) and managed to stay on the chart until the beginning of 1976.
This song is edited heavily and included as the closing number for the musical Jersey Boys
. The second verse and instrumental break is completely omitted, and instead of the fade out, a loud, high-pitched ending chord is sung by the full company. However, the Original Broadway Cast Recording includes the instrumental break.
when he hosted Coast to Coast AM
in the 1990s.
Bob Gaudio
Robert John "Bob" Gaudio is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer, and the keyboardist/backing vocalist for The Four Seasons.-Early career:...
and Judy Parker
Judy Parker
Judy Parker is the wife of Bob Gaudio, a record producer. She co-wrote The Four Seasons' LP "Who Loves You" and "December 1963 " with Gaudio, who produced the albums.-References:...
and produced by Gaudio. Reaching #3 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top 100
Top 100
Top 100 may refer to:*Billboard Hot 100, the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine...
in November 1975, it re-established The Four Seasons as a viable recording group (even though their popularity as a performing group had never flagged) after a five year absence from the Hot 100, and five years after their last single on Philips Records
Philips Records
Philips Records is a record label that was founded by Dutch electronics company Philips. It was started by "Philips Phonographische Industrie" in 1950. Recordings were made with popular artists of various nationalities and also with classical artists from Germany, France and Holland. Philips also...
("Patch of Blue").
Song information
After their release from Philips, the group signed with MotownMotown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
and released one album and three singles for the organization in 1972 and 1973. All Motown recordings failed to chart in the U.S. and the company dropped the band. In August, "Who Loves You" entered the Hot 100 as Valli's "Swearin' to God" was sliding off the chart. The intended lead singer was not Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
, but Don Ciccone. To capitalize on Valli's recent successes with "My Eyes Adored You
My Eyes Adored You
"My Eyes Adored You" is a popular song written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. It was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in early 1974. After the MoWest label balked at the idea of releasing it, the recording was sold to lead singer Frankie Valli for $4000...
" & "Swearin' to God", it was decided he would instead sing lead.
Different versions
There were three versions of "Who Loves You" released in the United States: the one on the Who Loves YouWho Loves You
Who Loves You is a 1975 album by The Four Seasons which introduced the new Four Seasons: John Paiva , Don Ciccone , Lee Shapiro and Gerry Polci...
album is four minutes, 20 seconds, long and begins with a short percussion section before the start of the vocals. The A-side of the single has a 4 minute 4 second version which starts with an unusual "fade-in" beginning, starting with the first word of the lyrics; the B-side (labeled "Who Loves You (disco version)") is the same as the A-side, with the instrumental break done twice and the song ending sooner.
Although the trademark Four Seasons' falsetto is present on "Who Loves You," Valli's vocal performance on the recording is limited to singing lead on the verses
For a record from a group so long without any charted records, "Who Loves You" was a tremendous success. Released in August 1975, the single spent 20 weeks on the Hot 100 (longer than any Four Seasons single before) and managed to stay on the chart until the beginning of 1976.
This song is edited heavily and included as the closing number for the musical Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys is a jukebox musical with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. It is a documentary-style musical, based on one of the most successful 1960s rock 'n roll groups, the Four Seasons...
. The second verse and instrumental break is completely omitted, and instead of the fade out, a loud, high-pitched ending chord is sung by the full company. However, the Original Broadway Cast Recording includes the instrumental break.
Pop-culture references
Often used as bumper music by late night radio talk show host Art BellArt Bell
Arthur W. "Art" Bell, III is an American broadcaster and author, known primarily as one of the founders and the original host of the paranormal-themed radio program Coast to Coast AM. He also created and formerly hosted its companion show, Dreamland...
when he hosted Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
in the 1990s.