Walk Like a Man (The Four Seasons song)

The song features the counterpoint of Nick Massi's bass voice and the falsetto of lead singer Frankie Valli. It was their third number one hit, initially reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 on March 2, 1963, remaining there for three weeks. "Walk Like a Man" also went to number three on the R&B singles chart [2]

During the sessions that produced the hit recording, the fire department received an emergency call from the Abbey Victoria Hotel (the building that housed the Stea-Phillips Recording Studios). As producer Bob Crewe was insisting upon recording the perfect take, smoke and water started to seep into the studio; the room directly above the studio was on fire, but Crewe had blocked the studio door. He continued recording until firemen used their axes on the door and pulled Crewe out.[3]

Other versions have been recorded by artists such as the Mary Jane Girls (1986), Divine (1985), Dreamhouse and Jan & Dean (1963) off the album Jan & Dean Take Linda Surfin. Plastic Bertrand did a version in French, entitled C'est Le Rock 'n' Roll (1978) and Hungarian band Bon Bon recorded the song with the title Sexepilem (1999).

The song features prominently in the 1993 film Heart And Souls as well as the 1996 film Sleepers. It also features in the 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire and is played during the opening credits of The Wanderers.

The song "Walk Like a Man" is part of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.[4]

Partial credits.[5]

The Four Seasons

• Frankie Valli – lead vocals, handclaps
• Tommy DeVito – harmony and backing vocals, guitar, handclaps
• Nick Massi – harmony and backing vocals, bass, handclaps
• Bob Gaudio – harmony and backing vocals, piano, handclaps

Additional musician and production staff

• Panama Francis – drums
• Bob Crewe – producer
• unknown – engineer

Divine recorded "Walk Like a Man" and released it as a single from the album Maid in England in 1985.