Shannon followed up with "Hats Off to Larry", another big hit, and the less popular "So Long, Baby", another song of breakup bitterness. "Little Town Flirt", released in 1962 reached #12 in 1963 as did the album of the same name. After these hits, Shannon was unable to keep his momentum in the US, but became a sensation in England. In 1963, he became the first American artist to record a cover version of a Beatles song with "From Me to You".
Shannon returned to the charts in 1964 with "Handy Man", "Do You Wanna Dance", "Keep Searchin'", and "Stranger in Town" (1965), with the latter two songs themed about flight from pursuit in a dangerous world. A 1966 chart offering was Shannon's cover of the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb". In the late 1960s after a dry spell of hits, he turned to production. In 1969 he discovered a group called Smith and arranged their hit "Baby It's You". He then produced his friend Brian Hyland's million seller "Gypsy Woman" in 1970.
In the 1970s, Shannon's career slowed down greatly; the hates and fears he had turned into art in his earlier songs were turning into full-blown mental illness, and he was self-medicating with alcohol. He finally put the bottle down in 1978, and he was able to return to mainstream audiences with "Sea of Love" in the early 1980s from the album "Drop Down And Get Me" produced by Tom Petty.
In December, 1983, Shannon served as Grand Marshal of the Coopersville, Michigan Christmas parade and also performed a benefit concert at Coopersville High School.
Shannon enjoyed a resurgence in audience interest after re-recording a portion of his song "Runaway" (with new lyrics) as the theme for the television program Crime Story. Producer Michael Mann felt that this was one of the definitive songs of the era in which the program was set. Some fans of the show prefer the sharper lyrics ("Some live, and others die") as an alternate to the original words.
On 8 February 1990, while working on a comeback album with Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra, Shannon fatally shot himself in the head with a .22 calibre rifle. His wife thought his death might have been related to his recent use of the prescription drug Prozac. The album was released after his death and titled "Rock On!".
Shannon is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Twist And Shout
Del Shannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twist an shout
Come on, come on, come, come on baby now
Come on and work it on out
Well work it on out, honey
You know you look so good
You know you got me goin' now
Just like I know you would Well, shake it up baby now
Come on, come on, come, come on baby now
Come on and work it on out
You know you twist, little girl
You know you twist so fine
Come on and twist a little closer now
And let me know that you're mine, woo Ah, ah, ah, ah, Yeah, shak it up baby now
Twist and shout
Come on, come, on, come, come on baby now
Come on and work it on out
You know you twist, little girl
You know you twist so fine
Come on and twist a little closer now
And let me know that you're mine
Well shake it, shake it, shake it, baby now (3x)
The upbeat and lively song "Twist and Shout" by Del Shannon is all about urging the object of the singer's desire to let loose and join in the fun. The repeated refrain "Shake it up baby now, twist and shout" highlights the carefree and energetic nature of the song. The singer encourages the girl he is interested in to let go of her inhibitions and move her body to the music, coaxing her to "come on and work it on out." The lyrics also suggest a sense of possessiveness, with the singer wanting to claim the girl as his own and asking her to "twist a little closer now, and let me know that you're mine."
Overall, the song's message is one of joyful exuberance and uninhibited self-expression. The upbeat melody and catchy chorus make it a classic dance tune that is still listened to and enjoyed by people of all ages today.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, shake it up baby now
Encouraging the listener to dance energetically.
Twist an shout
Referring to popular dance moves of the time.
Come on, come on, come, come on baby now
Urging a partner to join in dancing.
Come on and work it on out
Inviting the listener to continue the dance and let loose.
Well work it on out, honey
Encouraging the listener to express themselves through dance.
You know you look so good
Complimenting the partner's appearance and skill at dancing.
You know you got me goin' now
Acknowledging that the partner's dance moves are enticing and captivating.
Just like I know you would
Expecting the partner to dance well and deliver a good performance.
You know you twist, little girl
Acknowledging the partner's ability to perform the twist dance.
You know you twist so fine
Complimenting the partner's skill at performing the twist dance.
Come on and twist a little closer now
Inviting the partner to come closer and continue the dance together.
And let me know that you're mine, woo
Expressing a desire to solidify the romantic connection through dance.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, Yeah, shak it up baby now
Encouraging the partner to continue dancing with the same energy and enthusiasm.
Well shake it, shake it, shake it, baby now (3x)
Repeat of the opening verse, encouraging the listener to continue dancing energetically.
Writer(s): Phil Medley, Bert Berns Copyright: Sony/ATV Songs LLC
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
joe gongora
Del Shannon was also a friend of the Beatles . He did this song his own way. I wander what the Isley Brothers thought of this seeing Del Shannon & the Beatles do their material. It a cool song even though a bit faster. He did it the way he knew how Del Shannon style. It Rocks !!!