The song was released as a single in the US on March 2, 1964, with "There's a Place" as its B-side. It was released by Chicago-based Vee-Jay Records on the Tollie label and reached No. 2 on April 4, during the week that the top five places on the chart were all Beatles singles. It was the only million-selling Beatles single in the U.S. that was a cover song, and the only Beatles cover single to reach the Top 10 on a national record chart. The song failed to hit No. 1 because the group's own followup single "Can't Buy Me Love" held the spot.
In the UK, "Twist and Shout" was released by Parlophone on an EP with "Do You Want to Know a Secret", "A Taste of Honey", and "There's a Place" from the "Please Please Me" album. Both the EP and album reached No. 1. In Canada, it became the title track to the second album of Beatles material to be issued by Capitol Records of Canada on February 3, 1964.
The song was used as a closing number on Sunday Night at the London Palladium in October 1963 and at The Royal Variety Show in November 1963; the Royal Variety performance was included on the "Anthology 1" compilation album in 1995. The Beatles performed the song on their Ed Sullivan Show appearance in February 1964, and they continued to play it live until the end of their 1965 American tour. Additionally, they recorded "Twist and Shout" on nine occasions for BBC television and radio broadcasts, the earliest of which was for the Talent Spot radio show on November 27, 1962.
In 1986, Matthew Broderick lip-synced to the Beatles' version of it in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Coincidentally, the Rodney Dangerfield film Back to School (released two days after Ferris) also featured the song, this one sung by Dangerfield himself and patterned after the Beatles' arrangement. The use in the two films helped propel the single up the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 23 at the issue date September 27, 1986, giving the group their second chart single of the 1980s (the other being "The Beatles Movie Medley" in 1982).
In November 2010, 47 years after its recording, the Beatles' version of "Twist and Shout" made a debut on the UK Singles Chart. The highest charting Beatles track in the aftermath of their new availability on iTunes, it entered the charts at No. 48.
Twist And Shout
The Beatles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
Philip Kassabian
on Mother Nature's Son
A really great Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on The Night Before
A really splendid Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on P.S. I Love You
Now this is a really great Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on There's a Place
A seriously underrated Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Do You Want to Know a Secret
A fantastic song by The Beatles.
Philip Kassabian
on When I'm Sixty-Four
A very tuneful Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
An excellent Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on I'm Looking Through You
A beautiful Beatles song.
Philip Kassabian
on Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
Honestly The Beatles can't stop producing good songs.
Philip Kassabian
on Michelle
A fantastic Beatles song and absolutely beautiful.