Their first single was "No, No, No", which was a minor local hit for them as the Brooktones, who soon formally broke up as national success proved elusive. Summers and Dennis left the group, forming The Gems with Mark Stevens and Alan Horowitz in 1960, while the remaining former Brooktones signed to Chancellor Records and added Jerry Sirlin and William Shunkwiler to the group.
Their first hit was "Bristol Stomp" (also known as "The Bristol Stomp"), a dance song followed by the similar hit "Do the New Continental". They released a series of poppy singles over the next few years, facing various levels of success. Len Borisoff left in 1965 for a solo career under the name Len Barry. Having provided staples of oldies radio, the band continued to tour for decades. Interesting, the Dovells notably performed as backup singers, with them being a part of the Chubby Checker hit "Let's Twist Again", and also played for then U.S. President Bill Clinton twice.
Bristol Twistin' Annie
The Dovells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay your twisting down
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
She's got a shape like
Ow, Rin Tin Tin
And a face like
When it comes to the
Twist or doing the bop
Everybody calls her
The queen of the hop
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
She's got hips
Like big bad John
Legs like short sad Sam
When she starts doing the twist
My knees start knocking
And the whole joint's rocking
The kids all come from
Oh, yeah, miles around
Just to see what
She's putting down
When she's twisting
Everybody digs
The guys and gals
All flip their lids
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
She's got hips
Like big bad John
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Legs like short sad Sam
When she starts doing the twist
My knees start knocking
And the whole joint's rocking
The kids all come
From miles around
Oh, just to see
What she's putting down
When she's twisting
Everybody digs
The guys and gals
All flip their lids
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
One more time
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down
Over again
Bristol twisting Annie
Lay your twisting down...
The Dovells' song Bristol Twistin' Annie is a homage to a girl who can dance like no other. The song is filled with vivid descriptions of Annie's appearance, highlighting her features such as hips similar to Big Bad John and legs like Short Sad Sam. When Annie starts dancing, it sets the whole joint rocking and the kids come from miles around to see her dance. The song also mentions that everyone calls her "the queen of the hop" when it comes to the Twist or doing the bop. Although the song's focus is on Annie's dance moves, the lyrics suggest that Annie's beauty and spirit illuminate the whole atmosphere whenever she dances.
The lyrics of Bristol Twistin' Annie describe the typical dance culture in the 1950s and early 1960s, where everyone gathered to dance the Twist or do the Bop. The song's language also evokes a sense of youth and energy that characterized the era. The use of colloquial language such as "flip their lids" or "whole joint's rocking" gives an insight into the slangy and fun atmosphere of the American youth at the time. Furthermore, the lyrics' playful tone suggests that the song is meant to be a light-hearted tribute to a gifted dancer and the dancing culture of the era.
Overall, Bristol Twistin' Annie is a fun and catchy tune that celebrates a unique dance style, iconic dancers of the era, and the infectious youthful energy of the early 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
Bristol twisting Annie
Referring to a girl named Annie from Bristol who is well-known for her excellent twisting dance moves
Lay your twisting down
Stop dancing/twisting for a moment
She's got a shape like Ow, Rin Tin Tin
Annie has a perfect hourglass figure like the famous dog actor Rin Tin Tin
And a face like My Uncle Ben
Annie has a plain or ordinary looking face, like the singer's Uncle Ben
When it comes to the Twist or doing the bop
Annie is an expert at dancing the Twist and the Bop
Everybody calls her The queen of the hop
Annie is so good at dancing that she's known as the Queen of the Hop
She's got hips like big bad John
Annie's hips are as wide and powerful as the famous boxer Big Bad John
Legs like short sad Sam
Annie's legs are skinny and weak, like the character Short Sad Sam
When she starts doing the twist
Annie's dancing is so good that it gets the attention of everyone around her
My knees start knocking
The singer's knees tremble with excitement and anticipation when Annie starts dancing
And the whole joint's rocking
The whole room or party is energized and moving to the rhythm of Annie's dancing
The kids all come from miles around
Annie's reputation as a great dancer attracts young people from far away
Just to see what she's putting down
The kids want to see Annie's latest moves or tricks
When she's twisting everybody digs
Everyone loves Annie's dancing and appreciates her talent
The guys and gals all flip their lids
The guys and girls are crazy about Annie and can't get enough of her dancing
One more time Bristol twisting Annie
The singer is urging Annie to dance one more time before taking a break
Over again Bristol twisting Annie
The singer wants Annie to continue dancing and entertaining the crowd
Lay your twisting down
The singer is finally telling Annie to take a break from all the dancing
Contributed by Brayden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@richardfisher671
My favorite by the Dovells
@JohnnyPringles86
RIP Len Barry
@SuperAram111
Pure greaser music love it....u had to be there
@miketheshanmanmangan
Those Disco Dancing Dovells long before the advent of Disco,Great Philly Gold follow up to THE BRISTOL TWIST!
@darrylevans4401
The Dovells with another great one
@kimmorrison9169
Len Barry and the dazzling dovels.
@tday891
8th Grade for me in North Jersey
@ernestcastro6238
T Day For me too. I was in the 8th grade Roosevelt Jr. High, California
@Jonmwill
I wish the lyrics actually made sense
@WillieSjaban-fz8ny
Thank Lenny Barry for share your beautiful voice with I'll take to grave yard church Fresno CA. Song lord Abraham regularly wow beautiful ❤️ music 🎵🎶 2023 Toni sjaban Fresno CA city