Frankie Valli was known for many great hits, either with his group The 4 Seasons or solo. You may remember that high-pitched falsetto leading songs such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk Like a Man,” which just scratch the surface of the popularity of Valli’s hit-making voice.
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Valli’s 1967 single reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a gold record. The song is classic oldie, with the horns making this track. Valli’s sweet voice is much stronger than his falsetto, yet still exudes sweetness. The upbeat chorus makes you think of a classic time when you were dancing in a club and everything was in black and white (even though you weren’t watching yourself on old film). The strings that come in halfway through the song make this song even more beautiful after hearing an upbeat pop performance accompanied by the voice of a generation.
Miss Lauryn Hill’s version of this classic is a classic in itself for a completely different generation. Upon first listen of Hill’s voice, you get the impression that she’s either high or careless or both. But the beat boxing gets you into it and her amazing, scratchy voice kicks in proving that this once seemingly-sane Fugees pioneer. Gone are the horns, strings and sweet voice and in their place are a simple beat, a church organ, light beat-boxing and Hill’s instantly recognizable voice. As the penultimate song on Hill’s debut and only solo release, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, this track helps wrap up the album and apparently a blossoming solo career.
Unfortunately, Hill lost her shit for awhile and stopped performing but she seems to be getting her life back on track now. She really did a number on this song and made it an amazing classic for herself. One can only hope she releases an amazing comeback album more than 12 years later. As my boy Kanye West says, “Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion/I wish her heart still was in rhymin’.”
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