The group formed in 1958 as Brian Poole and the Tremoloes (the name soon being changed thanks to the spelling mistake of a local newspaper), and were initially cast in the Buddy Holly and the Crickets mould. Decca notoriously chose them over The Beatles, whom they had auditioned on the same day. They first charted with a version of “Twist and Shout” (1963), which owed much to the Beatles' version, followed by a chart topping cover of The Contours' U.S. million-seller “Do You Love Me” in the same year. Before they parted company with Brian Poole in 1966, their covers of Roy Orbison's B-side, "Candy Man" and The Crickets' B-side ballad, "Someone Someone" (both 1964) entered the UK Singles Chart Top Ten, with the latter peaking at number two.
Once Poole had left, and after a couple of near misses, rhythm guitarist and keyboard player Alan Blakely took over leadership of the group, and Len 'Chip' Hawkes (father of 1990s hitmaker Chesney Hawkes) replaced bassist Alan Howard. As the Tremeloes, the band started an even more successful hit run from 1967 onwards with Cat Stevens' “Here Comes My Baby”; “Suddenly You Love Me”, “Hello World”, and “My Little Lady”, and their Number one recording of an old Four Seasons' B-side “Silence Is Golden”. Both this latter single and “Here Comes My Baby” also entered the Top Twenty of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
In September 2006 Brian Poole, Chip Hawkes and The Tremeloes toured the UK as part of their 40th anniversary reunion.
Twist & Shout
Brian Poole & The Tremeloes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and shout)
C'mon c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, 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)
Well, you look so good
(Look so good)
Well, you got me goin', now
(Got me goin')
Just like I knew that you would
(Like I knew you would)
Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and shout)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out)
Well, twist, little girl
(Twist, little girl)
Yeah, you twist so fine
(Twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer, now
(Twist a little closer)
So that I know that you're mine
(Know you're mine)
Aaah-aaah-aaah-aaah-aaah!
Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and shout)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out)
Well, you twist, little girl
(Twist, little girl)
Yeah, you twist so fine
(Twist so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer, now
(Twist a little closer)
So that I know that you're mine
(Know you're mine)
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)
The lyrics to Brian Poole of the Tremeloes's song, "Twist and Shout" are all about dancing and having fun. The singer is encouraging his partner to "shake it up" and "twist and shout." It's a lively and upbeat song that's all about letting loose and having a good time.
The lyrics also suggest a certain level of attraction between the singer and his partner. He notes how good she looks and how she's got him "going" just like he knew she would. The lyrics also suggest a desire for closeness and intimacy, as the singer asks his partner to "twist a little closer, now" so that he knows she's his.
Overall, the song is a classic example of early rock and roll music, with its focus on dancing, romance, and upbeat energy.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, shake it up, baby, now
Encouraging someone to move their body rhythmically
Twist and shout
Suggesting that the person dance with a specific style and energy level
C'mon c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
Urging someone to continue moving with enthusiasm and energy
Come on and work it on out
Encouraging someone to keep dancing and expressing themselves physically
Well, work it on out, honey
Praising someone for their dancing and encouraging them to continue
Well, you look so good
Complimenting someone's appearance and energy level
Well, you got me goin', now
Expressing excitement and appreciation for someone's dancing
Just like I knew that you would
Confidently expressing that the person's dancing is just as good as expected
Well, twist, little girl
Encouraging a specific person to dance with a particular style
Yeah, you twist so fine
Complimenting the person's dancing and their style of movement
Come on and twist a little closer, now
Encouraging the person to come closer while dancing
So that I know that you're mine
Expressing that dancing with this person is enjoyable and satisfying
Aaah-aaah-aaah-aaah-aaah!
Sounds of excitement and enjoyment
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
Encouraging the person to continue moving with enthusiasm and energy
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: B. RUSSELL, P. MEDLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@woodyandbuzz1960
I can hear LaBamba in there. These guys were one of the best bands out there. Great musicians.
@michaelaussie1
i seem to remember a little known band called the Beatles released a pretty hot version of this song?!?
@Susie196921
Sounds more like a version that Richie Valens would have done!
@pjh1952
Anyone got the B side to this? I think it was called We Know. I heard it ONCE the year it came out and it just stuck in my mind. Would be fascinating to here it again.
@simplyscrummy
You're quite welcome, marks--I'm glad you found it.
@simplyscrummy
@saemikneu Thanks for sharing that information, saemikneu...
@vashna3799
wonder why Tremolomania never caught on?
@simplyscrummy
merci, TheMightyBo1--je connais très peu la guitare électrique.
@lonsktube
This is a gem! What sort of guitars, amps, and drums did The Tremeloes use?
@simplyscrummy
Hey, thanks, mon ami! I got most of that--I know some French (and Portuguese helps with what I don't understand.) Anyway, I agree that it is a most badass guitar. Used to play acoustic guitar, but haven't in awhile--never electric, unfortunately, yet. I read that the Jaguar was a good guitar for people with small hands, which seems to be the case with the fellow in the video.