"Oh, What a Night" is a song first recorded by the

doo-wop Doo-wop (also spelled doowop and doo wop) is a subgenre of rhythm and blues music that originated in African-American communities during the 1940s, mainly in the large cities of the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, ...

group

the Dells The Dells were an American R&B vocal group. Formed in high school in 1953 by founding members Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale, and Michael and Lucius McGill, under the name the El-Rays. They released their first r ...

and released in 1956, originally under the title "Oh What a Nite". It is said to have been inspired by a party, which had been held in the Dells' honor by some female friends of the group.

Reception

The Dells' original 1956 recording on the Vee-Jay label peaked at #4 on the R&B singles chart. In 1969, they refashioned it as a

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

song on the

Cadet A cadet is a student or trainee within various organisations, primarily in military contexts where individuals undergo training to become commissioned officers. However, several civilian organisations, including civil aviation groups, maritime ...

label. The August 2, 1969 edition of ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...

'' 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." 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 #10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 singles chart and #1 on the Best Selling Soul singles chart. The 1969 version was ranked #260 on

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. "Oh, What a Night" was subsequently recorded by Sly Stone & the Biscaynes (1978), Tracey Ullman (1983), Lester Bowie (1986), the Moonlighters (1988),

Nick Kamen Ivor Neville "Nick" Kamen (15 April 1962 – 4 May 2021) was a British singer, songwriter and model of mixed Burmese, Irish, Dutch and French descent. He was best known for the singles "Each Time You Break My Heart" from 1986 and "I Promised My ...

(1988), Barbara Jones (1995), Donnie & the Del Chords (1999), and Unisoghn (2001).

Personnel

1956 version

* Lead vocals: Johnny Funches, Marvin Junior * Background vocals: Johnny Funches, Marvin Junior, Michael McGill, Chuck Barksdale, Verne Allison

1969 version

* Lead vocals: Junior Marvin (Marvin Junior), Johnny Carter * Background vocals: Johnny Carter, Michael McGill, Chuck Barksdale, Verne Allison * Spoken intro: Chuck Barksdale * Producer: Bobby Miller

References

External links

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee pageSongfacts: "Oh What a Nite" page
* Song review and list of albums the song appears on* Change - Sharing Your Love (1982)br>Change information, bio, discography and track lists
1956 singles 1969 singles Doo-wop songs 1956 songs Cadet Records singles {{1960s-single-stub