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.
The Jitterbug
The Dovells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's your chance
Throw back the rug
And let's Jitterbug
The Jitterbug is back again
The Jitterbug, remember when
We danced to Kansas City blues
The Jitterbug is back again
Let's Jitterbug like we did then
(CHORUS)
(Jitterbug, Jitterbug)
Get your girl
(Jitterbug, Jitterbug)
Start to whirl
(Jitterbug, Jitterbug)
Throw her out
(Jitterbug, Jitterbug)
Shake and shout
Now that you know how
(Jitterbug)
It started with
Shake, Rattle and Roll
The next big dance
Was called the Stroll
Pony, Twist and Bristol Stomp
Madison? hit the top
Throw back the lights? now
Rip back the rug, let's really rock
Let's Jitterbug
(CHORUS)
Ahh, come on now
(CHORUS)
I like this whirl, come on now
Now that you know how
(Jitterbug)
Ah, look at everybody dancing
Like they used to, come on
Let's dance now like we used to
Now that you know how
(Jitterbug)
The Dovells's song, The Jitterbug, is an upbeat and lively song that invites the listener to dance. The lyrics encourage listeners to throw back the rug and dance to the Jitterbug, with references to other popular dances of the time, such as the Pony, Twist, and Bristol Stomp. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "Jitterbug" while encouraging listeners to get their partners and start to whirl, shake, and shout. The song continues to reference past dance trends, noting that the Jitterbug is back again and inviting listeners to dance like they did then. The song ends with a plea to dance now like they used to and enjoy the whirl.
Overall, The Jitterbug celebrates the joy of dancing, particularly the swing dancing trend of the 1950s and early 60s, and encourages listeners to join in on the fun. The song also references the lasting legacy of past dance trends and invites listeners to keep the tradition alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you dance
Do you have the ability to dance?
Here's your chance
This is an opportunity for you to dance.
Throw back the rug
Remove the rug from the floor.
And let's Jitterbug
Let's dance using the Jitterbug style.
The Jitterbug is back again
The Jitterbug style of dance has become popular again.
The Jitterbug, remember when
Remember the time when the Jitterbug was popular.
We danced to Kansas City blues
We danced using the Kansas City blues music as the background.
I'll go walk in my blue suede shoes
I will wear my shoes made of blue suede and dance with them.
Let's Jitterbug like we did then
Let's dance in the Jitterbug style as we did when it was popular before.
(CHORUS)
Refrain of the song.
(Jitterbug, Jitterbug)
A repetition of the song's title.
Get your girl
Find a female partner to dance with.
Start to whirl
Begin spinning around.
Throw her out
Throw your dance partner out (in the context of the dance).
Shake and shout
Move your body forcefully and make noise.
Now that you know how
Now that you are aware of how to do it.
(Jitterbug)
A repetition of the song's title.
It started with
The beginning of the evolution of popular dances.
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Name of an early popular song and dance.
The next big dance
The following dance that gained popularity.
Was called the Stroll
The name of the next dance style.
Pony, Twist and Bristol Stomp
Names of several dance styles that gained popularity.
Madison? hit the top
The Madison dance style became very popular.
Throw back the lights? now
Turn off the lights now.
Rip back the rug, let's really rock
Remove the rug and dance with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
Ahh, come on now
An exhortation to join in the dance.
(CHORUS)
Refrain of the song.
I like this whirl, come on now
I enjoy dancing in this spinning movement, let's continue.
Ah, look at everybody dancing
Observation of other people dancing.
Like they used to, come on
They are dancing as people did when the dance style was popular before, so let's join in.
Let's dance now like we used to
Let's dance now in the way we used to.
Now that you know how
Now that you are aware of how to do it.
(Jitterbug)
A repetition of the song's title.
Writer(s): BORISOFF LEONARD, GROSS JERRY
Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.