June 20, 2008 Earworm

I've read that Phil Spector once said that The Four Tops' "Bernadette", "is a black man singing Dylan" and when you listen to Levi Stubbs' delivery, you certainly get the point. With that in mind, I suggest that The Four Seasons' "Beggin'" has an italian man singing Stubbs singing Dylan. He doesn't sing the lyric as much as spit it out. While the rest of the guys provide their usual smooth groove, the mix puts them so far from the lead that they could be in another room if not on another record that just happened to be playing. Meanwhile, Frankie sounds as though he's out on the window ledge singing for his life while about a zillion percussion tricks chant "JUMP".

Bob Crewe was never known for subtlety with his productions and what "Beggin'" lacks in his usual bombast, is more than made up for with business. From the "miss mary mac" handclapping to the tea kettle on the edge of a nervous breakdown string line, everything practically screams "The sky is falling" and the usually steady Valli struggles to keep his balance. That it all comes - and stays - together so beautifully is a feather in the cap of not Charlie Callelo, Crewe's preferred arranger, but of Artie Schroek who should of one not only a Grammy but a Pritzker for keeping the whole thing from tumbling down. Co-writer Peggy (Santiglia) Farina, by the way, should have received an Oscar for best screenplay.

"Beggin'" peaked at #16 during the spring of '67, a busy time for all parties, was sandwiched between two top ten Four Seasons singles - "Tell It To The Rain" and "C'mon Marianne" - and competing with Valli's solo effort,"Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You". Something was bound to get lost in the shuffle and it's not surprising that something that sounded this troubled took the fall.

Last year, Pilooski respectfully re-mixed it - recognizing near perfection when he heard it, I assume - and in it's new form celebrated its fortieth birthday while sitting on top of the UK dance charts.

Check out the video for the re-mix and have a great weekend.