The Beatles - Twist And Shout

"Twist and Shout" is one of The Beatles' most energetic and iconic songs. The Beatles covered it on their 1963 album Please Please Me, and it quickly became one of their defining tracks.

Originally though, The Top Notes, an American R&B group, released and were best known for their 1961 hit "Twist and Shout." Interestingly, their version of the song predates The Isley Brothers' and The Beatles' more famous renditions. The Top Notes recorded "Twist and Shout" under the guidance of producer Phil Spector, who was just beginning to develop his famous "Wall of Sound" production style at the time. Though their version of "Twist and Shout" didn't become a huge hit, it laid the groundwork for the more successful versions that followed. The Top Notes themselves didn't have a long-lasting career, but they were part of the early wave of soul and R&B music that influenced later artists. Their take on "Twist and Shout" has a rawer, more bluesy feel compared to the more polished renditions that would follow.

What makes The Beatles' version so memorable is John Lennon's raw, gritty vocal performance, which was recorded with him in a near-shattered voice after a long day of recording. Despite that, his delivery added a certain edge to the song, giving it even more power. The song itself is fast-paced, full of youthful energy, and has an undeniable danceable rhythm that encouraged listeners to get up and twist along.

The track was also one of the first major hits for The Beatles in the United States, contributing to their meteoric rise during the British Invasion.

The Beatles - Twist And Shout Lyrics

Well, shake it up, baby, now (shake it up baby)
Twist and shout (twist and shout)
Come on, come on, come, come on, baby, now (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
Well, work it on out, honey (work it on out)
You know you look so good (look so good)
You know you got me goin' now (got me goin')
Just like you knew you would (like I knew you would)

Well, shake it up, baby, now (shake it up baby)
Twist and shout (twist and shout)
Come on, come on, come, come on, baby, now (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
You know you twist, you little girl (twist little girl)
You know you twist so fine (twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer now (twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine, woo

Ah-ah-ah-ah, wow
Baby, now (shake it up baby)
Twist and shout (twist and shout)
Come on, come on, come, come on, baby, now (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
You know you twist, little girl (twist little girl)
You know you twist so fine (twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer now (twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine (know you're mine ooh)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up baby)
Ah-ah-ah-ah