So what happened in December 1963? The song was originally about the end of prohibition - the period from 1920-1933, during which the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol for consumption were banned nationally in the USA - with the title 'December 5th, 1933', but the lyric was changed at the urgings of Frankie Valli and lyricist Judy Parker. Instead, the song became a nostalgic remembrance of a young man's 'first time' with a woman.
The single was released in December 1986 and reached number 1 in the UK singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as peaking at number 3 in the Dutch Top 40.
My collection: 7" single no. 4555
Found: Empire Records, Den Haag, February 4, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'December, 1963 (Oh what a night)' / 'Slip away'