"Twist and Shout" is a song written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell. It was… Read Full Bio ↴"Twist and Shout" is a song written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell. It was originally recorded by the Topnotes and then The Isley Brothers. It was covered by The Beatles, with John Lennon on the lead vocals, and originally released on their first album Please Please Me.
The recording session for that album was their first album session, and is notable for eleven songs having been recorded in a mere 10 hours (the remaining four songs had previously been released as singles and one song was not released). "Twist and Shout" was the last song recorded; producer George Martin knew John Lennon's voice would suffer from the performance, so he left it until last, with only 15 minutes of scheduled recording time remaining for the album.
Lennon was suffering from a cold, and was drinking milk and sucking on cough drops to soothe his throat. His coughing is audible on the album, and the cold's effect on his voice is audible in this recording. Even so, he produced a memorable vocal performance, a raucous, dynamic rocker. He later said his voice was not the same for a long time afterward, and that "every time [he] swallowed, it felt like sandpaper."
They tried for a second take, but Lennon had nothing left and it was abandoned. George Martin said, "I did try a second take ... but John's voice had gone."

In the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) engages an entire parade and downtown Chicago in song and dance to "Twist and Shout".

Twist And Shout
The Beatles Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

Overall Meaning

The song "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles is a lively and energetic tune that encourages listeners to dance and move their bodies. The lyrics are relatively simple but convey a sense of joy and excitement that is infectious. The singer urges the listener to "shake it up" and "work it on out," suggesting a release of energy and emotion through dance. The chorus repeats the song's title, urging the listener to "twist and shout," which has become a popular catchphrase associated with the song.

In the second verse, the singer focuses on a specific person, addressing them as "honey" and telling them they look good. This section of the song is more romantic in nature, as the singer declares that they knew the person would have this effect on them. The chorus repeats again, and the singer urges the person to "twist a little closer now" and "let me know that you're mine," suggesting a desire for intimacy and connection.

Overall, "Twist and Shout" is a fun and lively song that encourages movement, joy, and connection with others. The song has become a staple in popular culture and is often associated with dance parties and celebrations.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, shake it up, baby, now
Encouraging someone to let loose and have fun, perhaps through dancing or other physical movement

Twist and shout
Suggesting a dance move including twisting of the body and loud vocal exclamation

Come on, come on, come, come on, baby, now
Urging someone to join in on the fun, with repeated insistence

Come on and work it on out
Encouraging someone to keep moving and dancing, as if it were a workout or exercise

You know you look so good
Complimenting someone on their appearance, possibly with flirtatious intent

You know you got me goin' now
Acknowledging that the person's energy and enthusiasm has caught on and infected them as well

Just like I knew you would
Implying that this was expected, and perhaps suggesting a prior relationship or dynamic

You know you twist, little girl
Referring to a specific dance move as performed by the person being addressed

You know you twist so fine
Complimenting the person on their ability to perform the dance move in question

Come on and twist a little closer now
Inviting the person to move closer and possibly engage in more intimate interaction

And let me know that you're mine, woo
Hinting at a desire for exclusive romantic or sexual connection

Ah, ah, ah, ah, wow
Expressing vocal enthusiasm and excitement

Baby, now
Affectionately addressing the person being spoken to

Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
Repeating the earlier encouragement to dance and let loose

Ah, ah, ah, ah
Continuation of vocal enthusiasm and excitement

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Russell, Phil Medley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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