Various members of The Starliters, such as vocalist Freeman and drummer Don Martin, came and went over the next few years; the most famous lineup of Joey Dee and The Starliters is considered to be Joey Dee, David Brigati, Larry Vernieri (vocals), Carlton Lattimore (organ), and Willie Davis (drums). Later members of the touring group would include Eddie Brigati (David's brother), Gene Cornish, and Felix Cavaliere - three-quarters of The Young Rascals - as well as guitarist Jimmy James (later known as Jimi Hendrix) and Charles Neville of The Neville Brothers.
In 1960, The Starliters were discovered by agent Don Davis while performing at a Lodi, New Jersey nightclub called Oliveri's. The group was booked at an intimate venue on 45th Street in New York City called the Peppermint Lounge for what was supposed to be a one-time weekend gig. Joey Dee and company made such a smash that they ended up becoming the house band for the Peppermint Lounge, remaining onboard for more than a year. Joey penned "Peppermint Twist," along with producer Henry Glover, as a tribute to the lounge and the group took the song all the way to the top spot on the U.S. charts in late 1961. By this time the group had signed with Roulette Records. The Lounge became world famous during The Starliters' tenure, attracting celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy, Truman Capote, and Judy Garland.
One night in 1961, a trio of pretty teenagers were waiting on line outside the club hoping to be allowed inside. Dressed in matching brightly colored dresses, they looked like professional entertainers (which in fact they were) and in a case of mistaken identity, thinking they were the dancers he'd hired, the manager of the Peppermint Lounge ushered the girls - Ronnie and Estelle Bennett and their cousin, Nedra Talley - up to the stage and told them to dance. The Ronettes spent the rest of that night dancing and singing along with Joey Dee and The Starliters, and the reaction from the group and the crowd was so positive that the club manager, having realized his error, offered the girls a job on the spot. Every night, The Ronettes would dance and perform along with The Starliters at the Peppermint Lounge, even traveling with them to the club's Miami, Florida location in early 1962.
Also in 1961, Joey Dee and The Starliters filmed the movie Hey, Let's Twist, starring Jo Ann Campbell and Teddy Randazzo, for Paramount Pictures. Hey, Let's Twist was a fictional portrait of Joey Dee (Randazzo and Dino DiLuca played the parts of Joey's brother and father, respectively) and the Peppermint Lounge; its release capitalized on the current Twist craze and brought the once-obscure Lounge into the forefront. The movie and soundtrack album did their part in making the Peppermint Lounge a world-famous venue. Hit singles spawned from Hey, Let's Twist were the title track and "Shout - Part I," which became the group's second-biggest selling record. Other albums released during this time period were Doin' The Twist At The Peppermint Lounge, which was recorded live at the venue, and All The World's Twistin' With Joey Dee & The Starliters.
In 1962, Joey Dee and The Starliters starred in their second motion picture, Two Tickets to Paris, along with Gary Crosby, Jeri Lynne Fraser and Kay Medford. One of the songs from this film, "What Kind Of Love Is This," penned by Johnny Nash, was released in September of that year and became a Top Twenty hit. In December of 1962, the original Starliters did their final recording session as a group, turning out "Help Me Pick Up the Pieces," also composed by Nash, and "Baby, You're Driving Me Crazy," written by Joey Dee and Henry Glover. In 1963, Joey Dee recorded an album entitled Dance, Dance, Dance, with The Ronettes as his backup group. In spring of that year, Roulette released the track "Hot Pastrami with Mashed Potatoes," from the previously issued live album, as a two-part single; the record made the U.S. Top Forty. The label later released "Ya Ya" and "Fannie Mae" from the same album. In November of '63, The Starliters toured Europe with The Beatles as their opening act. During 1964, Joey Dee toured with various Starliters including Cornish, Cavaliere, and Eddie Brigati. Other group members at different times included Hendrix, Neville, drummer Jimmy Mayes and singer Tommy Davis.
Joey Dee continued to record and issue solo recordings from the mid-60s to the mid-70s, as well a song he wrote with original Starliters David Brigati and Larry Vernieri entitled "How Can I Forget" in the late 1960s which was released under the name Joey Dee and The New Starliters. During the 1980s, Joey lived for a short time in Florida before moving back to New York, to The Bronx. He continued to travel and make personal appearances with various Starliters.
These days, Joey Dee and The Starliters is comprised of Joey with Bob Valli (brother of Frankie Valli) and original Starliter David Brigati. The group tours and plays at various venues from Connecticut to New Jersey to Florida to Las Vegas, doing well over a hundred concerts per year. In 2001, the group was featured on a PBS special, Rock, Rhythm and Doo-Wop, and in 2005 they appeared on the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy. Joey Dee resides in Florida, while Brigati and Valli remain Jersey boys.
Peppermint Twist Part 1
Joey Dee & The Starlighters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Yeah, the name of the dance is Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Well, you like it like this, the Peppermint Twist
It goes round and round, up and down
Round and round, up and down
And a one, two, three, kick, one, two, three, jump
Well, meet me baby down at 45th street
Where the Peppermint Twisters meet
And you'll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
It's alright, all night, it's alright
It's okay, all day, it's okay
You'll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
Yeah, yeah, etc
The song "Peppermint Twist" by Joey Dee & The Starlighters is all about a new dance craze called the Peppermint Twist. The lyrics encourage listeners to join in and learn the dance, which involves twisting and jumping to a catchy beat. The song invites everyone to come and meet at 45th street where the "Peppermint Twisters" gather to dance and have a good time.
The repeated lines "It's alright, all night, it's alright" and "It's okay, all day, it's okay" serve to emphasize the carefree and joyful nature of the dance and the sense of community that comes from participating in it. Overall, the song celebrates the power of music and dance to bring people together and create a sense of belonging and fun.
In terms of style, "Peppermint Twist" is a classic example of early rock and roll, with its upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and straightforward lyrics. It became a huge hit upon its release in 1961 and has remained a staple of oldies radio and dance parties ever since.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, they've got a new dance and it goes like this
There is a new dance craze going around and it follows a specific pattern.
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
The rhythm of the dance is described as 'bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op'.
Yeah, the name of the dance is Peppermint Twist
The specific name of the new dance is Peppermint Twist.
Well, you like it like this, the Peppermint Twist
It's suggested that the listener enjoys this type of dance, specifically the Peppermint Twist.
It goes round and round, up and down
The dance moves involve circular and vertical motions.
Round and round, up and down
This line repeats the previous one to emphasize the dance moves.
Round and round and a up and down
Again, the dance moves are described and emphasized.
And a one, two, three, kick, one, two, three, jump
The dance moves are broken down into specific counts and actions.
Well, meet me baby down at 45th street
The listener is invited to join the singer at a specific location in order to learn the dance.
Where the Peppermint Twisters meet
This location is described as where fans of the Peppermint Twist gather.
And you'll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
The listener is promised the opportunity to learn the dance steps for the Peppermint Twist.
It's alright, all night, it's alright
It is suggested that it is acceptable to dance the Peppermint Twist all night long.
It's okay, all day, it's okay
Similarly, it is suggested that dancing the Peppermint Twist throughout the day is acceptable.
You'll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
Once again, the listener is told that they can learn how to do the Peppermint Twist dance.
Yeah, yeah, etc
This line emphasizes the upbeat, catchy nature of the song and dance craze.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HENRY GLOVER, JOSEPH DI NICOLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Well, they’ve got a new dance and it goes like this
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Yeah, the name of the dance is Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Well, you like it like this, the Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
It goes ‘round and ‘round, up and down
‘Round and ‘round, up and down
‘Round and ‘round and a up and down
And a one, two, three, kick, one, two, three, jump
Well, meet me, baby, down at 45th street
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Where the Peppermint Twisters meet
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
And you’ll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
(Bo shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
It’s alright, all night, it’s alright (it’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right)
It’s okay, all day, it’s okay (it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay)
You’ll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Ey yeah-ay-ay-ay (ay-ay-ay-ay)
Ey yea-ay-ay-ay (ay-ay-ay-ay)
Ey yey yeah
Ey yey yeah
Ey yey yeah
Canal CKS
the song that took Elvis' #1 Can't Help Falling in Love in 1961 leaving him at #2 on the Billboard charts
BKrandy
Only reason I'm here lol
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Well, they’ve got a new dance and it goes like this
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Yeah, the name of the dance is Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Well, you like it like this, the Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
It goes ‘round and ‘round, up and down
‘Round and ‘round, up and down
‘Round and ‘round and a up and down
And a one, two, three, kick, one, two, three, jump
Well, meet me, baby, down at 45th street
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Where the Peppermint Twisters meet
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
And you’ll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
(Bo shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
It’s alright, all night, it’s alright (it’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right)
It’s okay, all day, it’s okay (it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay)
You’ll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Ey yeah-ay (ey yeah-ay)
Ey yeah-ay-ay-ay (ay-ay-ay-ay)
Ey yea-ay-ay-ay (ay-ay-ay-ay)
Ey yey yeah
Ey yey yeah
Ey yey yeah
Rene LeClerc
My favorite of all the many dance songs.
John LaStrada
Actually, they were a great NJ band & this is Rock & Roll Hall of Fame music. Maybe the Hall should have a category for classic singles.
Joey Dee had a great rock voice with lots of enthusiasm & drive. What's even better is that despite the "twist" title they didn't try to emulate Chubby Checker's success. Smart move. Wish they lasted longer. They did last until 1970 as a recording unit but never got signed to a major label. (Not that it would've helped since many artists who did leap to a major still didn't chart high).
Somewhere in the 60s both Jimi Hendrix & Joe Pesci played with the group (allegedly). Starlite(r) David Brigati went on to The Young Rascals.
Dee wrote the Peppermint Twist with songwriter Henry Glover who was famous for "California Sun," by The Rivieras among others. Glover also started a label with The Band's Levon Helm (RCO Productions). Glover was one of the 5 arrangers of the music played at The Band's Last Waltz concert.
sstavsky
Even better in stereo.
edward sosa
I went to see the movie as a kid aroung 62...Still love this song. Eddie in SA.
Juliaflo
That would be 'Hey, Let's Twist', right?
northlight1908
Billy Butler from Bill Doggett's band is credited as the lead guitarist. The lead singer on the record is David Brigati.
Tim G
Yeah...that's THE YOUNG RASCALS singing backup....WOW!