Four Seasons of Love
Encyclopedia
Four Seasons of Love is the fourth album released by singer Donna Summer
. Released on October 11th, 1976
, this concept album
became her third consecutive successful album to be certified gold in the US. It peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200.
This was the third concept album Summer had made, though unlike the previous two which had contained one long track on side one and a small selection of slightly shorter ones on side two, Four Seasons Of Love was more equally balanced. The album told the story of a love affair by relating it to the four seasons. Side One contained "Spring Affair
" and "Summer Fever", both disco tracks, and Side Two contained "Autumn Changes" (a slightly slower disco number) and "Winter Melody
" (which had an even slower beat), plus a reprise of "Spring Affair". This concept was reflected in the four photos of Summer, one for each season of the year, in a pull-out 1977 calendar included with the original LP album. The photo on the cover was, fittingly, the Summer photograph. Summer's "first lady of love" image came across strongly on this album, though her trademark moans and groans were slightly less evident than on previous work. Pics included "Winter" in a fur with a tear on her cheek; "Spring" in a Scarlet O'Hara style hoop skirt on a swing; and "Autumn" re-enacting Marilyn Monroe
's infamous scene from The Seven Year Itch
with the billowing white dress over the subway grate - an allusion to her song "Love to Love You Baby", which she has been quoted as using Monroe for inspiration on her recording of it.
As with the previous two albums, Four Seasons of Love was distributed by different record labels in different countries, including Casablanca Records
in the U.S. Edited versions of "Spring Affair
" and "Winter Melody
" were released in various places, but neither had a big impact on any charts (although the latter made the Top 30 on the UK singles chart
). The album was also released as a Club Special Edition / Club Sonderauflage in West Germany on the Atlantic Records
Label.
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
. Released on October 11th, 1976
1976 in music
-January–February:*January 5 – Former Beatles road manager Mal Evans is shot dead by Los Angeles police after refusing to drop what police only later determine is an air rifle....
, this concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
became her third consecutive successful album to be certified gold in the US. It peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200.
This was the third concept album Summer had made, though unlike the previous two which had contained one long track on side one and a small selection of slightly shorter ones on side two, Four Seasons Of Love was more equally balanced. The album told the story of a love affair by relating it to the four seasons. Side One contained "Spring Affair
Spring Affair
"Spring Affair" is a song by Donna Summer from her 1976 album Four Seasons of Love. The song tells of the beginning of a new relationship. At the time of its release, Summer had already started to make her name as the leading female disco singer by releasing frankly sexual songs that were...
" and "Summer Fever", both disco tracks, and Side Two contained "Autumn Changes" (a slightly slower disco number) and "Winter Melody
Winter Melody
"Winter Melody" is a song by Donna Summer released as a single in late 1976 from her Four Seasons of Love album. It became a top 30 hit in the UK, where it peaked at #27....
" (which had an even slower beat), plus a reprise of "Spring Affair". This concept was reflected in the four photos of Summer, one for each season of the year, in a pull-out 1977 calendar included with the original LP album. The photo on the cover was, fittingly, the Summer photograph. Summer's "first lady of love" image came across strongly on this album, though her trademark moans and groans were slightly less evident than on previous work. Pics included "Winter" in a fur with a tear on her cheek; "Spring" in a Scarlet O'Hara style hoop skirt on a swing; and "Autumn" re-enacting Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
's infamous scene from The Seven Year Itch
The Seven Year Itch
The Seven Year Itch is a 1955 American film based on a three-act play with the same name by George Axelrod. The film was co-written and directed by Billy Wilder, and starred Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell, reprising his Broadway role...
with the billowing white dress over the subway grate - an allusion to her song "Love to Love You Baby", which she has been quoted as using Monroe for inspiration on her recording of it.
As with the previous two albums, Four Seasons of Love was distributed by different record labels in different countries, including Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records
Casablanca Records was an American record label started by Neil Bogart, who partnered with Cecil Holmes, Larry Harris, and Buck Reingold in 1973, and based in Los Angeles. The label was formed after all of them had left Buddah Records and secured financing by Warner Bros. Records to start the venture...
in the U.S. Edited versions of "Spring Affair
Spring Affair
"Spring Affair" is a song by Donna Summer from her 1976 album Four Seasons of Love. The song tells of the beginning of a new relationship. At the time of its release, Summer had already started to make her name as the leading female disco singer by releasing frankly sexual songs that were...
" and "Winter Melody
Winter Melody
"Winter Melody" is a song by Donna Summer released as a single in late 1976 from her Four Seasons of Love album. It became a top 30 hit in the UK, where it peaked at #27....
" were released in various places, but neither had a big impact on any charts (although the latter made the Top 30 on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
). The album was also released as a Club Special Edition / Club Sonderauflage in West Germany on the Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
Label.
Track listing
All tracks Bellotte, Moroder, SummerCharts
Single| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | "Spring Affair" | USA Billboard Hot 100 | 58 |
| 1977 | "Winter Melody" | USA Billboard Hot 100 | 43 |
| United Kingdom | 27 |
Certifications
| Country | Provider | Certifications |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | BPI British Phonographic Industry The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies... |
Silver |