WE CAN RELATE!! FRANKIE VALLI &THE FOUR SEASONS - RAG DOLL (REACTION) 

There will NEVER be another singer like Frankie Valli. Timeless!

You two are knocking out all the oldies hits! I love it! Keep it coming!

The 50's and 60's I feel had the purest music from rock and roll to soul music

June 1964. The greatest pop song in history. Thank you, Bob Gaudio.

I use to cry when I heard this song. I was the rag doll back then.

This is another group I grew up with in the 60's. Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. They had so many great hits together such as "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man", "Candy Girl", "Ain't That a Shame", "Dawn (Go Away)", "Working My Way Back to You", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "C'mon Marianne" etc. Frankie went out on his own in the 70's & had a few hits "My Eyes Adored You" & "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". Also he had a hit with the song "Grease" from the movie. Always loved that he was able to sing in a falsetto voice.

Wow what a voice Frankie Valli has! And the harmonizing is superb!

Those guys didn't even need music.Those voices were enough to fill the record.A cappella was so popular back then. Musical instruments were minimal and someone had to know how to play and sing.No computer ,no autotune.It was talent ,and some of the best at that.

You picked one of the most beautiful Frankie ballet in the 4 season songs I applaud you and would like to hear more

When I was a kid, we ALL wore hand-me-downs! They might not be new, but Mom kept them clean. If people today saw the way we grew up, they would shout, "Unacceptable poverty!!!" But, we didn't know we were poor because most people in the neighborhood were exactly the same as us. In the 60s, Frankie Valli was the BOMB!

I've heard this song many times over the last 50 years, the beginning still gives me chills down my spine, one of my favorite 4 Season songs!!!

My dads favorite tune of all time. He was 12 yo in 1964 and loved the four seasons, on top of that he lived basically around the corner from where they were from in Newark NJ

Frankie Valley made the greatest some of the greatest songs in the 60s This song is an absolute belter second to none PERIOD

Hi Shawn & Mel, Here is the back story on how the song got written: love this song / love ❤️ you two. Group member and chief songwriter Bob Gaudio wrote this. He was driving his car to the studio in New York City when he was stopped at a "three-minute light." A little girl - with ragged clothes and dirty face - ran up to the car and cleaned the windshield. As the light changed, Gaudio rummaged frantically through his pockets in an effort to find a quarter to pay the girl, who did indeed look like a Rag Doll. The smallest piece of money he could find was a five-dollar bill (sometimes Gaudio would say "ten-dollar bill" when he tells this story), so he gave her the currency. She was speechless, but he remembered her stunned look at the studio, where he composed the song.

One of the best falsetto voices of all of them, Frankie Valli

Please check out their song, "Walk Like a Man," too. I'm thinking Frankie Valli was the second popular falsetto voice on the pop music scene...Lou Christie preceded him as I'm recalling, but my memory may be faulty on this one.

On the Howard Stern show, Billy Joel mentioned drawing inspiration from this song, for 2 of his songs. He said, when writing Uptown Girl, he was going for a Frankie Valli/Four Seasons sound. Then he sang a bit of Rag Doll & Uptown Girl. He also pointed out that Rag Doll includes the line "I love you just the way you are."

This song was co-written by Key Boards Bob Guadio the tallest member of the group back in 1964. It charted #1 on Billboard in 1964. It became one of their greatest hits and one of the most requested songs ever.

I love the fact you are covering these oldies but goodies

Before there was the Beatles there were the Four Seasons!! Hit's like "Dawn", " Big Girls don't Cry", and "Stay". They survived in to the disco years in the 70's!!

Bless you girl and ALL of us who were the daughters of poverty. I've worn silk, lace, and velvet but I'm still that little girl in the cousin's hand me downs with holes in my shoes at the end of the school year. I'm very comfortable in my old clothes now. I made it a point to be better dressed once I was grown. Now, I'm completely comfortable not looking great. I can wear better, but I don't really feel I need to spend on that at this point in my life. All us pretty rag dolls should get that prince that can provide better but doesn't care if we don't. My husband loves me in my ratty garden clothes. He loves his college educated rag doll.

Please get into The Rascals too!!! Lonely Too Long, On A Sunday Afternoon, How Can I Be Sure, etc;

Yes! I knew you wanted more Frankie. I'm still wait for that Lou Christie the gypsy cried. 😆

Rag doll ….that song reminds me of one time I was driving just south of Cincinnati , Ohio in northern Kentucky. I turned off I-75 to the west just to do some sight seeing in the hills of Kentucky. It was a stone poor area. People were enjoying ice cream outside at an ice cream shop , so I stopped and had an ice cream also. Then I drove around the neighborhood…..it all amounted to a bunch of shacks….tiny and run down. Then I saw this absolutely gorgeous young woman …Teenager maybe. She could have been a model , but she was dressed in rags and had no shoes. A true rag doll. I hate poverty. That reminds me….I married a rag doll….a beautiful rag doll. My rag doll wife then went on to get her masters in French and became a High School French Teacher. 👍 a happy ending for a rag doll .👍👍

This is my favorite song from them their harmonies are perfect and I love a girl who is beautiful no matter where she came from 🥰

Happy 88th birthday yesterday to Frankie Valli.

Possibly the greatest song ever recorded. Flawless singing. Dawn is the inverse where the girl is too good for the guy.

PS, at this time in 1964, the Beatles dominated the record charts. UNTIL my Boys the Four Seasons released "Rag Doll"! It was "Pick Hit of the Week" on WABC in NYC one week, then NUMBER ONE the very next week!!! Unheard of!!! All Beatles knocked down one peg!!

The back story of the tune is told below comments. Again, gotta point out the Seasons' use of drums and tympany. So precise . So much the backbone of the tune. But... But Mel.. God bless! I was the 2nd of 2 boys, in the 1950s. Oh yes. Hand-me-downs for sure. You see why the Seasons are my fav, Yes Shawn. 4 Jersey boys that melded those voices. Perfections. Frankie's gonna wail here in a moment. Hand claps at the end!! Hand claps forever!!

High school for me. Every time I hear them I'm there again. Saw them in concert in '62. :-)

Melodies and harmonies are what made this and many of the other groups of the 60's great.

You two need to listen to the Young Rascals, aka The Rascals in later years. In their library, How Can I Be Sure is my favorite song. Groovin' is another great one, & probably the group's biggest hit. Lots more as well, & I think you'll love them all!! As far as songs with a 'message,' listen to Billie Holliday sing Strange Fruit. She first recorded this hauntingly beautiful song in 1939, & it's incredible, but the message isn't a happy one. The song actually protests the lynching of Black Americans--which had reached a peak in the Southern United States at the turn of the 20th century--with lyrics that compare the victims to the fruit of trees. In fact, the lyrics are so strong that the song is said to mark the beginning of the civil rights movement. BTW - Billie Holliday is always high on any list of GOATs of jazz vocalists, with a voice you definitely should hear. Take a trip & go way, way back. You'll be glad you did.

This is what I love about your channel. I hear classic after classic that your reactions give a whole new meaning to (much deeper)! Keep em coming! And Mel, your singing also sounds nice. :)

I absolutely LOVE The Four Season! Love the early hits such at Rag Doll, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry etc but I also love the late 70’s hits Summer of 63 AND Who Loved You!!!!!!

Always brings a tear to my eyes. Thank you for the reaction. Great song! I agree (kinda) with Tim Carr... I wouldn't junk all the rest, but I agree with his sentiment.

Hiii am from liverpool love all the songs you been playing mel loved your teeshirt Beatles 😊😊😊🇬🇧

Love Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons.an icon.walk like a man , Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Candy Girl, Lets Hang On, Can't take my eyes off you, Peanuts, Opus 17, Don't Think Twice under the name of The Wonder Who, Let's Hang On, Begging, Working My Way Back To You, Oh What A Night ( December 63), Who Loves You, My Eyes Adored You. Most of the songs were written by one of the 4 seasons Bob Gaudio, the tall slim guy. 💯💯🤪💯💯💯💯💯💯💯Percent👍👍❤️

The Four Seasons “sound” is amazing 🤩. “Candy Girl” “ Bye Bye Baby” “ Cmon Marianne” and “ Big Man in Town” are more terrific hits

Tremendous song June 1964. Great falsetto and harmony.

You can junk all the rest of their songs. This is a stand-alone classic. It's my absolute favorite of theirs. Frankie's falsetto ranks among the best of 1960's singers. Lou Christie with "Lightnin' Strikes" rivals Frankie's best.

Now I'm older, it has a whole new meaning.💕

This also had a great B side "Silence is Golden" it could of been an A side in my opinion , It was covered by the Tremeloes in the UK and went to No. 1 in the charts for three weeks in 67.

Try to see the show Jersey Boys if you can, Its about the story of Franke Valli and the Four Seasons and features all their hits. I watched in London, really great.

Thank you thank you so much for playing Rag Doll on your show. I was way to young to catch the Four Seasons in the 60’s but once discovery them in the 70’s, that was it for me as they are number one all time favorite band. FYI one of the first bands of the rock pop era to play their own instruments and wrote the majority of their own songs which and yes before The Beach Boys and Beatles. Over 6o of their songs have hit the Billboard Charts with 40 top 40 and 20 top ten hits, oh and lets not forget the only band to have a number one hit before, during and after the Beatles, the only Band to accomplish this. Thank you for putting on a great show while recognizing a number one hit record from the summer of 1964.

So pleased you reacted to this one. My absolute favourite Frankie Valli song. Awesome vocals, great melody, incredible harmonies…a real classic 👍❤️

I saw the original 4 Seasons in the early 1960's. You may not believe this, but it's true. They played their own instruments and sounded just amazing in concert. No backing tracks or fancy pedals. A very tight band.Their drummer was Craig Pilo. Drummed like nobody else. He was the 5th Season in my opinion. And the only other musician on the stage that I can remember was a great xylophone player. You can hear his work in Rag Doll. Look up Bob Gaudio's inspiration for the song. A story all by itself. I'm 72, but It it seems like yesterday. Really. I appreciate your work. It brings up wonderfull memories. Thank you.

Their fourth #1 song. Fun fact: In its entire time in the Top Ten, the only songs ever ahead of it were Beatles songs.

Yall are on fire today already!!!!!!!! Love it!!

I tear up every time , I hear a song from my childhood in the 60’s and 70’s . It takes me back to the life , I’ll never live again . Thank y’all for taking me back to a better time in my life . 🙏🏻

so glad you got to this song was written about a little girl that the writer saw at a stoplight

I hear u Mel. I grew up with pleather work boots and hand me downs.I was actually jealous of kid on welfare who came to school w all new clothes beginning of school year. It was really embarising and kids made fun of me.😪

Frankie Valli had one of the best singing voices of that time. They started out as Doowop singers on the street corners of New Jersey.

The song was based on the real experience of FourSeasons group member, keyboards and songwriter Bob Gaudio. He was parked at traffic lights travelling from New Jersey to New York City -- I think to a recording session -- when a little black girl washed his windows. He searched his pockets for change and only had a $10 bill (which was a small fortune then for a kid). He passed her the $10 just as the lights changed, and in his rear-view mirror he saw the girl staring in amazement at this gift in her hand.

Two of the best 4 Seasons songs "Soon" and "The Girl I'll Never Know"

SILENCE IS GOLDEN!!

I was taken to his show about 10 years ago now by my roomies mom. She knew I loved them and come to find out SHE DID TOO!! She was closeted about it till that night. As soon as they started singing and she not only knew every word to every song, but melted in her seat! She was a blubbering basket case by the end of the show!!! BUT.. she pulled it back together because We actually got to talk to him and shake his hand. Now before I forget, Mel would have loved the new singers that I called Spring, SUMMER, Fall and Winter. The guy I called SUMMER took Frankie’s place in a couple of songs and could hit the same highs Frankie could just as good! He even founded like a pretty close match. SUMMER for Mel, was VERY EASY ON THE EYES!!! The rest weren’t bad but SUMMER took the prize of the night! All the ladies were swooning over him and Frankie. But when they came back out after the performance to meet and greet, SUMMER was mobbed by almost Everyone ( that is after we/they met Frankie). THAT was a HOT NIGHT in a temp controlled theater!

You guys need to listen to "Cant Take My Eyes Off Of You" Always reminds me of the movie the Deer Hunter. Great song from these boys.

When you think you are helping a ragdoll but realize you were the ragdoll all along.

My favorite of theirs. Glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you!!

This group had so many hits ... and they are from Jersey!!!

I am binging on your videos, reactions and great songs from years gone by! Really making my Friday the best day of the week. Love you guys!!

I loved seeing the joy on Shawn's face at the Ooooh oooh oooh Ahhhh Ahhhhh Ahhhh!

I'm really liking your reactions. Just subscribed. Please keep doing the Deep dives in early rock music. I grew up on that music and still love it. You guys do a great job.

Your reaction to Rag Doll (and so many other hits you've featured) is priceless! Thanks so much for sharing these hits from back in the day & your awesome commentary with us!!

If you like their music, you should check out the movie of their story, Jersey Boys. My wife and I grew up with their music and saw it in a theater. it was the first time I've ever been to a movie where the audience was singing along with the songs and at the end the movie got a standing ovation.

“My Eyes Adored You” is one of their best, think you would love it

My fav Frankie Valley song!!! The story behind the song is really incredible. The writer was in a poor area & kids would ask to whip his windshield for a dollar or less in thise days. So one girl in rags cleaned his windshield & he only had a hundred dollar bill. So he gave it to her & he said the look on her face made him come up with this song.

I remember this song hit home with me as I came from a very poor family and so did my girlfriend. But you know we may have been poor but we were rich in that we always had love and family. And it made us a lot tougher, it made me the man I am now.

This is the one of the Greatest songs of all time, I use to be listing to the radio cruising around on a Friday or Saturday night and this song would come on the radio and I would get chills all up and down my spin and still does that today too

Thanks to both of you for sharing your reaction. I love that song too. Still gives me chills to hear it.

'Rag Doll' has always teared me! Also, a kid named Dickie Lee sang a very tragic teen love song about two teens similar to 'Romeo and Juliet called "Patches" from 1961. Big hit for him! Beautiful song of love.

One of the most beautiful songs in the history of mankind ...

Just want you two to review Dion's" This Little Girl ". Shawn will find the lyrics ultra HILARIOUS🤣🤣 and Mel will be raising an eyebrow to Shawn and those great lyrics.🤨🤨 😅

I am learning to play this song by ear on my piano. It is such a great song!

That song still sends chills up my spine!

long before you say lets see if it gets better, he already says "though i love her so, i cant let her know." Great group and Frankie Valli can sing baby.

Always makes me think of my earliest childhood crush. Not only WAS she a literal rag doll, she was made of all different parts that didn't match, owing to a life of rough play. As an abused autistic child, I related to her on that basis alone-- but then in the cartoon she was a part of she made it her business to go around-- this tiny, soft spoken little old fallapart rag doll-- and comfort and protect and nurture anyone who might need it. Similar to myself she lived among the monsters and the bugs and the filth-- similar to myself she was beaten, neglected, and really had nowhere to belong at the end of the day. She could've been as scared and pissed off as I was, she could've been as weird and lopsided and broken as she looked, she would've had EVERY RIGHT. Instead she was calm, steady, logical, unflinching brave, warm, bubbly-- everything a kid like me needed and never had. I prefer to remember her the way she was before the writers brutally derailed her entire character right before my very eyes. Molly Coddle of Bump In The Night, here's to you-- or who you once were, at any rate.

Freakin love them. At around 11 years old i heard their song Sherry on a radio on a. dresser in my mothers bedroom , i was taken away....

They are awesome i have always loved their music

I didn’t have enough clothes when growing poor, I can relate to this great song, one of many hits by Frankie Valli. “ His career span was long, just recently, he sang with an orchestra in his 80’s and he sang really well.

Pure talent! No question about it!

Your taking me back to my Childhood, This was a huge song in 1964 on the Radio and my Dad would play The 4 Season's 45s on the stereo record player.

The Broadway Show and the movie "Jersey Boys" is all about The Four Seasons.

My first favorite song. I was 10 when it came out. The Four Seasons were my first favorite group.

Example of how to craft a perfect song. And Frankie's high high at the end..wow.

Their biggest hit, I think, was "Walk Like A Man".

Such a wonderful blending of four fabulous voices!! 💗

Little history for ya. Bob Gaudio, who wrote most of the Seasons hits, composed this after a little girl washed his car window in NYC.

YOU TWO ARE SO SWEET TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have always loved their songs

This song inspired Billy Joel's hit "Just the Way You Are"....the last line in Rag Doll.

Love it ....we use to dance to it but never really listened to all the words....like you I almost teared up.

Great song back in the day, and *still* is, today.

Don't feel bad i also grew up without, 5 brothers and me the only girl and one parent mom. Hand me down clothes were what i wore and since i had no sister the clothes were from (who knows)...but we survived and listening to the music on you channel makes me smile and when remembering sad times now that I just turned 70 when hearing a song of the passed it's ok to feel those feeling because it was my life and glad im stil here to hear them..✌️

SOFTLY WHISPERING I LOVE YOU BY THE ENGLISH CONGRAGATION....🌷🎸☮️

I can never see you as a ragdoll. Your beauty just shines through.

A beautifull song both musically and lyrically!👍🏻❤️☮️

look into the background for this song, it is amazing

One of the the true "super groups" of the 20th century. An anthem reflecting real life in much of rural and inner city America at the time. Dolly Parton sang a song with a similar theme, "Coat of Many Colors."

Yes, we were poor and unfortunately my dad was a alcoholic and many of times drank the rent and bill money. As soon as I was old enough I went to work between 14 and 15 and bought many of my own clothes my sister and I had home ec and we would bye what we needed and would sew some of our cloth. Love this song.