Ah, hut hut
Ah, hut hut
(Spoken)
That's our song. 'Oh What A Night'. 'Ces soirées-là'. French.
Number one in Paris, 2000. How'd that happen? You ask four guys, you get four different versions.
But this is where all of them start - Belleville, New Jersey.
A thousand years ago. Eisenhower, Rocky Marciano,
and a few guys under a street lamp singing somebody else's latest hit.
(Sung)
Lost control and rang your bell
I was sore
Let me in or else I'll beat
Down your door
When two strangers who had been
Two silhouettes on the shade
Said to my shock,
'You're on the wrong block.'
Silhouettes (silhouettes)
Silhouettes (silhouettes)
Silhouettes (silhouettes)
Wa-oh-oh-oh
Silhouettes (silhouettes)
Silhouettes (silhouettes)
Silhouettes (silhouettes)
Wa-oh- oh-oh
Darlin', my darlin', my darlin', my darlin', darlin'
Darlin', my darlin', my darlin', my darlin', darlin'
(Spoken)
Our brass ring turns out to be a kid who sings like an angel.
He hangs around the clubs. So I set up a little surprise for him.
(Sung)
You're the apple of my eye!
(Spoken)
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! We're the Variety Trio!
Three, four-! And now, a new discovery of mine; little Frankie Castelluccio! Two, three, four!
(Sung)
I can't give you anything but love
Baby
That's the only thing I've plently of
Baby
Dream awhile
scheme awhile
We're sure to find
Happiness
And I guess
All those things you've alway pined for
Gee, I'd like to see you looking swell
Baby
(Spoken)
Groups are growing on trees, but this kid could do it for us. Sure, he's green,
but that's where I come in. I take this raw clay and I make like Michaelangelo.
I got a few years on him, so I've got a lot to teach him. It's like my mission.
'Listen, Frankie, Tuesday night me and my brother Nick are going to knock
over Fixer's Jewelry Store over on Frenchtown Road. Around midnight. You in, or what?'
'I dunno, my dad wants me home by eleven.'
'Tell him we're rehearsing. I figure your cut'll be a hundred and fifty. Maybe two.'
He's a good kid. He just needs a little, you know, guidance.
'That jog your memory?'
'Frankie, you're driving Tommy's car,
you've got no license - it's one block from where they hit Fixer's!'
'We got Tommy and his brother. They already gave you up, numbnuts.'
'I dunno what you're talking about.'
'Have it your way.'
'How old are you?'
'Sixteen, your honour.'
'I' m letting you off with a warning. I suggest you get yourself a new set of friends.
Now get out of here.'
'Frankie - sing good.'
'Kid's a singer?'
'A good singer. And getting better.'
'Then he ought to be great by the time you get out. Six months.'
(Sung)
Oh, earth angel
Earth angel
The one I adore
Love you forever
And ever more
(Spoken)
'Nicky, for God's sakes! What are we doing in church?
I thought we were going to the movies!'
'Relax, will ya? The kid's ready to play a big room!'
(Sung)
I want a-- Sunday kind of love
A love to last past Saturday night
I'm glad to know
It's more than love at first sight
I want a Sunday kind of love
I do my Sunday dreaming
And all my Sunday scheming
Every minute
Every hour
Every day
I'm hoping to discover
A certain kind of lover
(Spoken)
'So that's your real name? Valli ?'
'Nah - Castelluccio. Francis Castelluccio.'
'Kinda long for a marquee.'
'That's why I changed it. Vally. V-A-L-L-Y.'
'No, V-A-L-L-I!'
'How come?'
'Because you're Italian! You've gotta end in a vowel. Delgad-O, Castellucci-O, pizz-A. Vall-I. With an I.
It says, 'This is who I am. You don't like it? You can go **** yourself.''
'Hey, Frankie - sing 'My Mother's Eyes'.'
'Gee, Mr . DeCarlo. I haven't done that song since I was fifteen.'
'Frankie, let me explain how this works. You do a favor for me - one day, I'll do a favor for you.'
'Sure, Mr. DeCarlo.'
(Sung)
One bright and guiding light
That tought me wrong from right
I found in my mother's eyes
Just like a wandering sparrow
One lonely soul
I walk the straight and narrow
To reach my goal
(Spoken)
'So it's me, Nick, and Frankie, and it's up to me to keep us out of the gutter. But nobody's hiring trios anymore. Quartets are in. So, I'm looking for a fourth guy so we can get some work.'
'Tommy! I got your fourth guy! You're gonna thank me for this - he's a genius!'
'What's his name?'
'Gaudio. Bob Gaudio. He's a kid, but he plays like a madman.
And he writes songs!'
( Sung)
Who wear short shorts?
(We wear short shorts)
They're such short shorts
(We like short shorts)
Who wears short shorts?
(We wear short shorts)
(Spoken )
'Bobby! Bobby! Hey, listen! The Three Lovers - they got this kid singer - he's like, forget about it! And they're dying to meet you!'
'Why?'
'Because I told them you're a ******* genius!'
(Sung)
There I go, there I go
There I go, there I go
Pretty baby you are the soul that snaps my control
Such a funny that but everytime I'm near you
I never can behave
You give me a smile and then I'm wrapped up in your magic
(Spoken)
'I dropped out of high school to tour with Short Shorts.
I shared a bus with Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, the Everly Brothers, Jackie Wilson...
but I never heard a voice like Frankie Valli's. After eight bars, I know I need to write for this voice.'
(Sung)
Brightest stars that shine up above you
In the clear blue skies
How I worry 'bout you
Just can't live my life without you
Baby come here
Don't have no fear
Is there a wonder why
I'm really feeling
In the mood for love
(Spoken)
'Nick Massi, Frankie Vallie; Bob- what is it?'
'Gaudio. Hi.'
'Hi.'
'Somebody said you write.'
'Yeah, yeah, yeah, I told you! Can we just borrow the piano for a minute?
Go ahead, Bobby. Play the new one!'
The Early Years: Scrapbook