Working My Way Back to You
"Working My Way Back to You" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Four Seasons | ||||
from the album Working My Way Back to You | ||||
B-side | "Too Many Memories" | |||
Released | January 1966[1] | |||
Genre |
| |||
Length | 2:33 | |||
Label | Philips | |||
Songwriter(s) | Denny Randell, Sandy Linzer | |||
Producer(s) | Bob Crewe | |||
The Four Seasons singles chronology | ||||
|
"Working My Way Back to You" is a song made popular by the Four Seasons in 1966 and the Spinners in 1980.
Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, the song was originally recorded by The Four Seasons in 1966, reaching No. 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In the UK Top 50 chart it spent three weeks – all at No. 50. It is the only hit to feature the group's arranger Charles Calello in the temporary role of bassist/bass vocalist, having replaced original member Nick Massi.
The lyrics tell about a man who cheated on his girlfriend. When she leaves, he realizes that he did love her and is very remorseful about his past actions. He vows to win her love back. It is in some ways a re-casting of the melody from their previous hit, "Let's Hang On!".
Charts
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada RPM Top Singles[5] | 26 |
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 9 |
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[6]
|
10 |
UK
|
50[citation needed] |
The Spinners version
"Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl" | ||||
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Single by the Spinners | ||||
from the album Dancin' and Lovin' | ||||
B-side | "Disco Ride" | |||
Released | December 1979 (U.S.) | |||
Recorded | 1979 | |||
Genre | R&B, soul, disco | |||
Length | 4:02 (single) 6:03 (album version) | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Denny Randell, Sandy Linzer, Michael Zager | |||
Producer(s) | Michael Zager | |||
The Spinners singles chronology | ||||
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In 1979, American
Chart performance
This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2021) |
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Boyzone version
"Working My Way Back to You" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Boyzone | ||||
Released | May 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1994 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:41 | |||
Label | PolyGram | |||
Songwriter(s) | Sandy Linzer, Denny Randell | |||
Producer(s) | Ian Levine | |||
Boyzone singles chronology | ||||
|
Irish
The band later recorded a French version in collaboration with Alliage. This French version of the track is credited as being a major turning point in the career of producer-songwriter Steve Mac.[21] A lack of interest from the "usual producers" led to Polydor phoning up Mac and asking him to take on the role, and by doing he effectively made a decisive progression from his early dance-pop singles to the mature balladry he has since made a very successful career out of.[21]
Track listing
- "Working My Way Back to You"[22]
- "Working My Way Back to You" – 4:12
- "Working My Way Back to You" (POD 12" Mix) – 8:13
- "Father and Son" – 2:49
- "Te Garder Pres De Moi"
- "Te Garder Près De Moi" (featuring Alliage) – 4:41
- "Te Garder Près De Moi" (Instrumental) – 4:41
Charts
- "Working My Way Back to You"
Chart (1994) | Peak position |
---|---|
Irish Singles Chart | 3[citation needed] |
- "Te Garder Près De Moi" (with Alliage)
Chart (1998) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles Chart
|
90[23] |
France Singles Chart
|
3[citation needed] |
Personnel
The Four Seasons' version
- Lead vocals by Frankie Valli
- Background vocals by Tommy DeVito, Charles Calello and Bob Gaudio
- Instrumentation by Charles Calello (bass), Bob Gaudio (keyboards), Tommy DeVito (guitar)
The (Detroit) Spinners' version
- Lead vocals by Jonathan Edwards and Pervis Jackson
- Background vocals by Bobby Smith, Pervis Jackson, Henry Fambrough and Billy Henderson
- Instrumentation by various Philadelphia area musicians
Boyzone version
- Lead vocals by Mikey Graham
- Background vocals by Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Ronan Keating
References
- ^ The Four Seasons; Frankie Valli (1991), Greatest Hits, Volume 2, Internet Archive, Warner Special Products, retrieved 2023-01-30
- Allmusic. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. January 22, 1966. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-03-14. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
- ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 26, 1966
- ^ ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 545.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 243.
- ^ "Jean Nichol – Je Voudrais Te Retrouver (1979, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1979.
- ^ a b "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. January 5, 1981. Retrieved January 17, 2022 – via Imgur.
- ^ RPM Adult Contemporary, April 26, 1980
- ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet". musicline.de. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
- ^ Hung, Steffen. "Spinners – Working My Way Back To You". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
- AllMusic Guide. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
- ^ "Australian-charts.com - Forum - Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
- ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca.
- ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART.
- ^ "UK Singles of the Year" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications. December 27, 1980. p. 30. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1980/Top 100 Songs of 1980". www.musicoutfitters.com.
- ^ a b "Interview With Steve Mac". HitQuarters. April 12, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
- ^ "Boyzone Working My Way Back To You Ireland (republic of) 5" CD SINGLE (309437)". Eil.com. 2004-11-11. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
- ^ "te garder pres de moi | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2020-04-10.