Twist and Shout
"Twist and Shout" is a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns (later credited as "Bert Russell"). It was originally recorded by the Top Notes, but it did not become a hit in the record charts until it was reworked by the Isley Brothers in 1962. The song has been covered by several artists, including the Beatles, Salt-N-Pepa, and Chaka Demus & Pliers, who experienced chart success with their versions.
For other uses, see Twist and Shout (disambiguation)."Twist and Shout"
Original version[edit]
The Top Notes, an American R&B vocal group, recorded "Twist and Shout" at the Atlantic Studios on February 23, 1961. The session was arranged by Teddy Randazzo and produced by Phil Spector.[note 1] The Top Notes' Howard "Howie" Guyton provided the lead vocals,[1] with accompaniment by saxophonist King Curtis, guitarist John Pizzarelli, drummer Panama Francis, and backing vocalists the Cookies.[2]
In a song review for AllMusic, Richie Unterberger described the Top Notes recording as "a Latin-tinged raveup with a drab generic R&B melody" that he felt was "not very good".[3] Bert Berns, the song's co-writer, was dissatisfied with the recording and Spector's production.[4] It failed to chart.[5]
"Twist and Shout"
"Spanish Twist"
May 1962
New York City, 1962
2:27
Bert Russell
"Twist and Shout"
- March 22, 1963 (UK Please Please Me album)
- March 2, 1964 (US single)
February 11, 1963
EMI, London
2:32
- Parlophone (UK)
- Tollie (US)
"We Know"
June 1963
2:07
Mike Smith
"Get Up Everybody"
October 1988
3:48
December 6, 1993[63]
3:58
- Lloyd "Gitsy" Willis
- Sly & Robbie