Frankie Valli, originally known as Francis Casteluccio, dedicated nearly a decade to pursuing stardom before the Four Seasons finally achieved their breakthrough. The group’s formation took place in various stages over the preceding four years, culminating in a name change in 1961 from the Four Lovers after a failed audition at a New Jersey bowling alley named The Four Seasons. The pivotal moment in their career came when keyboard player Bob Gaudio composed the song that would propel them to fame. Gaudio revealed to Billboard magazine that he crafted “Sherry” in a mere 15 minutes just before a scheduled rehearsal. Lacking a tape recorder, he drove to rehearsal, humming the tune in an attempt to retain it. Initially, Gaudio had no intention of keeping the lyrics, but to his surprise, everyone liked them, prompting no alterations.

Originally titled “Terry,” the group enthusiastically performed the song over the phone for their producer, Bob Crewe, who embraced every aspect except the name. After considering alternatives like “Jackie” (inspired by Jackie Kennedy) and “Peri” (linked to a record label Crewe had a stake in), the group eventually renamed the song “Sherry” after Cheri Spector, the daughter of Crewe’s close friend, DJ Jack Spector.

“Sherry” was released as a single in August 1962 and astonishingly reached the pinnacle of the pop charts just four weeks later, on September 15. Over the next six months, the Four Seasons achieved two more #1 hits with “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like A Man,” solidifying their status as the only American group to secure three consecutive #1 hits.

In 2023, “Sherry” was enshrined in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, a testament to The Four Seasons’ standing as one of the most beloved groups of their era.

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Lyrics

Sherry, Sherry baby
Sherry, Sherry baby

Sherry baby (sherry baby) baby (Sherry baby)
Sherry can you come out tonight?
(Come, come, come out tonight)
Sherry baby (Sherry baby)
Sherry can you come out tonight?

(Why don’t you come out, come out)
Come out to my twist party
(Come out) Where the bright lights shine
(Come out) We’ll dance the night away
I’m gonna make you mine

Sherry baby (Sherry baby)
Sherry can you come out tonight
(Come come, come out tonight)
(Come come, come out tonight)
You’d better ask your mama (Sherry baby)
Tell her everything is alright

(Why don’t you come out, come out)
With your red dress on
(Come out) Mmm. you look so fine
(Ccome out) Move it nice and easy
Girl, you make me lose my mind

Sherry baby (sherry baby) baby (Sherry baby)
Sherry can you come out tonight?
(Come, come, come out tonight)
(Come, come, come out tonight)

Sherry, Sherry baby
(Come, come, come out tonight)
Sherry, Sherry baby
(Come, come, come out tonight)
Sherry