Oh, What a Night (The Dells song) explained

Oh, What a Night
Type:single
Artist:The Dells
Album:Oh, What a Nite (original version) / Love Is Blue (re-recorded version)
B-Side:Believe Me
Released:August 1969
Recorded:1969
Genre:Doo-wop, soul
Length:4:07
Label:Cadet Records
Producer:Bobby Miller
Prev Title:I Can Sing A Rainbow/Love Is Blue
Prev Year:1969
Next Title:On the Dock of the Bay
Next Year:1969

"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". 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.[1]

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 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."[2] 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.[3]

The 1969 version was ranked #260 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[4]

"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

1956 version

1969 version

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Dells. Rockhall.com. 28 April 2021.
  2. Web site: Record World. August 2, 1969. Worldradiohistory.com. April 28, 2021.
  3. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 154.
  4. Web site: The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. https://web.archive.org/web/20061228111145/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6596105/oh_what_a_night. dead. December 28, 2006. RollingStone.com. 2008-08-15.