Oh, What a Night (The Dells song)
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"Oh, What a Night" | ||||
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Single by The Dells | ||||
from the album Love Is Blue | ||||
B-side | "Believe Me" | |||
Released | August 1969 | |||
Recorded | 1969 | |||
Genre | Doo-wop,[1] soul | |||
Length | 6:09 | |||
Label | Cadet Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Marvin Junior, Johnny Funches | |||
Producer(s) | Bobby Miller | |||
The Dells singles chronology | ||||
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"Oh, What a Night" is a song first recorded by the doo-wop group the Dells[1] and released in 1956, originally under the title "Oh What a Nite". The song is said to have been inspired by a party, which had been held in the Dells' honor by some female friends of the group.[2]
Reception[]
The Dells' original recording on the Vee Jay label peaked at number four on the R&B singles chart. In 1969, they refashioned it as a soul song on the Cadet label. The August 2, 1969 edition of Record World gave it a "Four Star Pick" review, stating: "This old, old, old, oldie sounds newer than tomorrow, via the Dells chartbreaker express. All will dig."[3] The new "Oh, What a Night" was notably different from its original counterpart with an altered arrangement and tempo, and included a spoken recitation, in the introduction, from bass singer Chuck Barksdale. This new version reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number one on the Best Selling Soul singles chart.[4]
The 1969 version was ranked #260 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[5]
"Oh, What a Night" was subsequently recorded by Sly Stone & the Biscaynes (1978), Tracey Ullman (1983), Lester Bowie (1986), the Moonlighters (1988), Nick Kamen (1988), Barbara Jones (1995), Donnie & the Del Chords (1999), and Unisoghn (2001).
Personnel[]
1950s version[]
- Lead vocals by Johnny Funches and Marvin Junior
- Background vocals by Johnny Funches, Marvin Junior, Michael McGill, Chuck Barksdale and Verne Allison
1960s version[]
- Lead vocals by Junior Marvin (Marvin Junior) and Johnny Carter
- Background vocals by Johnny Carter, Michael McGill, Chuck Barksdale and Verne Allison
- Spoken intro by Chuck Barksdale
- Produced by Bobby Miller
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 11 - Big Rock Candy Mountain: Early rock 'n' roll vocal groups & Frank Zappa" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries. Track 5.
- ^ "The Dells". Rockhall.com. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Record World" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. August 2, 1969. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 154.
- ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". RollingStone.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2006. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
External links[]
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee page
- Songfacts: "Oh What a Nite" page
- Song review and list of albums the song appears on
- Change - Sharing Your Love (1982)
- Change information, bio, discography and track lists
- Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
- 1956 singles
- 1969 singles
- Doo-wop songs
- 1956 songs
- Cadet Records singles
- 1960s single stubs