Oh, What a Night (song)
Encyclopedia
"Oh, What a Night" is a song first recorded by the doo-wop
group The Dells
and released in 1956, originally under the title "Oh What a Nite". The Dells' recording peaked at number four on the R&B singles chart and was released on the Vee Jay Records label. Re-released in 1969, the song was refashioned as a soul
song released on the Cadet
label. "Oh, What a Night" was notably different than its original counterpart with an altered arrangement and tempo. The re-release reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100
singles chart and number-one on the Best Selling Soul singles chart
..
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.
The 1969 version was ranked #260 on Rolling Stone
's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
.
"Oh, What a Night" has been covered by Change
on Sharing Your Love
(1982), Tracey Ullman
(1983), Lester Bowie
(1986), The Moonlighters (1988), Nick Kamen
(1988), Barbara Jones (1995), Donnie & the Del Chords (1999), Unisoghn (2001) and John Barrowman
(2010).
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
group The Dells
The Dells
The Dells are an R&B and crossover musical group. Their successful recordings spanned more than four decades. Formed in 1952 after attending high school together, the Dells' repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul, disco and contemporary rhythm and blues...
and released in 1956, originally under the title "Oh What a Nite". The Dells' recording peaked at number four on the R&B singles chart and was released on the Vee Jay Records label. Re-released in 1969, the song was refashioned as a soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
song released on the Cadet
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
label. "Oh, What a Night" was notably different than its original counterpart with an altered arrangement and tempo. The re-release reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart and number-one on the Best Selling Soul singles chart
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
..
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.
The 1969 version was ranked #260 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" was the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone, issue number 963, published December 9, 2004, a year after the magazine published its list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"....
.
"Oh, What a Night" has been covered by Change
Change (band)
Change was an Italian-American post-disco group formed in Bologna, Italy in 1979 by businessman and executive producer Jacques Fred Petrus and Mauro Malavasi...
on Sharing Your Love
Sharing Your Love
-Personnel:* Jacques Fred Petrus - Producer* Mauro Malavasi - Producer* Jack Skinner - EngineeringRecorded at Media Sound Studios, NY. Mastered at Sterling Sound, NY.Change is* James Robinson - Lead Vocals* Deborah Cooper - Lead Vocals...
(1982), Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman is a British stage and television actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, screenwriter and author ....
(1983), Lester Bowie
Lester Bowie
Lester Bowie was an American jazz trumpet player and composer. He was a member of the AACM, and cofounded the Art Ensemble of Chicago.-Biography:...
(1986), The Moonlighters (1988), Nick Kamen
Nick Kamen
Nick Kamen is an English male model, songwriter and musician, and brother of session guitarist Chester Kamen and artist Barry Kamen.-Career:...
(1988), Barbara Jones (1995), Donnie & the Del Chords (1999), Unisoghn (2001) and John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
(2010).
1950s version
- Lead vocals by Johnny Funches
- Background vocals by Johnny Funches, Marvin Junior, Michael McGill, Chuck Barksdale and Verne Allison
1960s version
- Lead vocals by Junior Marvin (Marvin Junior)
- Background vocals by Johnny Carter, Michael McGill, Chuck Barksdale and Verne Allison
- Spoken intro by Chuck Barksdale
- Produced by Bobby Miller
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 Tracklists