Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedSherry
Pop1960s118BPM
G majKey
More around 120 BPM → · More in G major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriter of record (Bob Gaudio), no dispute found — with a confirmed current administrator relationship (a Primary Wave publishing partnership with the Four Seasons). A clean, well-documented case.
Quick Facts
Released1962
AlbumSherry & 11 Others
GenrePop, Rock And Roll, Doo-Wop
LabelVee-Jay Records
ProducerBob Crewe
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Bob Gaudio
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The publishing administrator — Primary Wave Music Publishing (confirmed catalogue partnership)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
The group’s first #1 and a pop standard, with a confirmed current publishing administrator — an unusually clean, actionable case.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriter(s) of record.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Bob Gaudio
The recording (current administrator)Primary Wave Music Publishing (confirmed catalogue partnership)
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Written in under 15 minutes
Gaudio stated he wrote the song in under 15 minutes before a rehearsal, joking it took the group longer to settle on a title than it took him to write the music. No lyrics reproduced.
History.com · read it →
A name from a bowling-alley audition
The group’s name came from a failed audition at a Union, New Jersey bowling alley called “The Four Seasons” — they later adopted the venue’s name as their own.
History of Rock · read it →
A near-rejection rescue
Frankie Valli played the song over the phone for Vee-Jay’s Randy Wood, who loved it — but per radio figure Jerry “the Geator” Blavat, another industry figure had dismissed it harshly, and Blavat recalled personally intervening, calling a Vee-Jay executive and playing it himself.
Songfacts · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
The Four Seasons’ first #1
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
SY
Bob Gaudio (Primary Wave partnership)
The confirmed songwriter of record
PW
Primary Wave Music Publishing
The confirmed publishing administrator
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
Was this page helpful?
Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 19/20)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass