The Dells' original 1956 recording on the
Vee-Jay label peaked at #4 on the R&B singles chart. In 1969, they refashioned it as a
soul song on the
Cadet label. The August 2, 1969 edition of
Record World gave it a "Four Star Pick" review, stating: "This old, old, old, oldie sounds newer than tomorrow, via the Dells chartbreaker express. All will dig." The new "Oh, What a Night" was notably different from its original counterpart with an altered arrangement and tempo, and included a spoken recitation, in the introduction, from bass singer Chuck Barksdale. This new version reached #10 on the
Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #1 on the
Best Selling Soul singles chart. The 1969 version was ranked #260 on
Rolling Stone's list of
The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. "Oh, What a Night" was subsequently recorded by Sly Stone & the Biscaynes (1978),
Tracey Ullman (1983),
Lester Bowie (1986), the Moonlighters (1988),
Nick Kamen (1988),
Barbara Jones (1995), Donnie & the Del Chords (1999), and Unisoghn (2001). ==Personnel==