Escape (The Parenthetical Rock Song Title Countdown): December 1963 (Oh What a Night) (#10)

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Dang, that's a lot of parentheses! If you're wondering where that comes from, it's a play on the 1979 Rupert Holmes song "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)," which is not part of this countdown. Anyway, I'm joining our great music geek @teamfreak16 in a countdown of favorite songs that have a parenthetical title. As with his countdown, I'm not using songs that have comments (like "live," "version," or "remix") in the parentheses. Oh, and I have a country list coming, too. Here's the first song out of the chute. #10: December 1963 (Oh What a Night) - Four Seasons This song originally began "late December back in 33," and was going to be about the repeal of Prohibition. Frankie Valli suggested that was something to celebrate but it might not make a good song. So Four Seasons keyboardist Bob Gaudio and his then-girlfriend (now wife) Judy Parker changed it around to another kind of celebration: a young man's first sexual experience. This was a change for the Four Seasons. Back in the 60s Valli sang lead on all the hits. While he had a solo career in the mid-70s ("My Eyes Adored You") the Four Seasons began using other members for lead vocals. Here Valli only sang the bridge, while drummer Gerry Polci sang lead on the verses. Whether it was "new territory" vocally or musically (this had a little bit of a disco beat to it), fans ate it up. The song went to #1 in early 1976, marking the Four Seasons' first #1 hit since "Rag Doll" in 1964. It's a great song, on my 100 favorites list, and a treasured memory of the teenage years. December 1963 (Oh What a Night) Written by Bob Gaudio and Judy Parker Recorded by the Four Seasons From Who Loves You, 1975 What a very special time for me: