Oy, what a night. I was going to try to figure out a few talking points to make an impression about the state of music in December 1963 – the month before the Beatles redefined popular music – but the deeper I hunt, the more obviously is that I don’t need to make any point. The songs do it for themselves.

The fact is that January 1964 was a rebirth of sorts, a complete reinvention of what music’s very purpose was. We didn’t know it at the time, but in retrospect, it’s almost impossible to listen to music from December 1963 without hearing the expectation of what now is seen as the sound of the inevitable. Here is America immediately before the Beatles;

1) December 1963 – The Four Seasons

2) Dominique – The Singing Nun

3) There! I’ve Said It Again – Bobby Vinton

4) Since I Fell for You – Lenny Welch

5) You Don’t Have to Be a Baby to Cry – The Caravelles

6) Drip Drop – Dion

7) Forget Him – Bobby Rydell

8) Popsicles and Icicles – The Murmaids

9) Talk Back Trembling Lips – Johnny Tillotson

10) Be True to Your School – The Beach Boys

11) Midnight Mary – Joey Powers

12) Loddy Lo – Chubby Checker

13) Wives and Lovers – Jack Jones

14) Leaving It All Up to You – Dale and Grace