They achieved some local notoriety in a dive called the Pirate's Nook. There, they were discovered by a local record label called Abnak Records. John Abdnor, president of the label, took the group under his wing and provided them the resources to write and practice original songs. In the summer of 1965, they released an original tune entitled "I See The Light". The song went to the top twenty in Billboard Magazine and paved the way for a string of hits by the five. "I See The Light" was followed by "Evol-Not Love" which also charted in the top 40 nationwide.
Then came the biggest hit of all by the band, "Western Union". With Mike Rabon on lead vocal, this song, which was inspired by a Western Union telegram sign, went on to become number 6 on Billboard and number 3 on Cashbox. "Western Union" sold in excess of one million records and paved the way for the group to appear on American Bandstand twice and Where The Action Is 4 times as well as The Steve Allen Show.
Other Top 40 entries by the group include "Zip Code," a tune similar to "Western Union", and "Sound of Love."
Dominated by high, bubbling organ lines and clean harmony vocals, the group favored high-energy pop/rock far more than British Invasion or R&B-inspired sounds, although a bit of garage/frat rock raunch could be detected in their stomping rhythms. Recording prolifically throughout the last half of the '60s (often with ex-rockabilly star Dale Hawkins as producer), and writing much of their own material.
In 1969, after releasing "7:30 Guided Tour", which only made it to 96 on Billboard, the boys simply got tired of touring and of each other, and each went his own way.
In five short years the Five Americans sold millions of singles and albums. "Western Union" still gets airplay on oldies radio on average of 5000 times per month in the U.S. and Canada, and as of January of 1998, Western Union achieved the one million mark in airplay according to BMI, Broadcast Music INC.
"Now and Then" a double album, has most of their songs on it, however, the masters were sold to Sundazed Music without The Five American's knowledge around 1985 and finally as of 2001 the members are receiving royalties on the sale of their CDs.
Twist And Shout
The Five Americans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say yea (yea) ...
Shake it up, baby (shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout (twist and shout)
see'mon see'mon, see'mon, see'mon, baby (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
You know you look so fine (look so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer (twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine (know you're mine)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby)
Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up, baby)
Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby)
Ah ...
Baby (shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout (twist and shout)
see'mon see'mon, see'mon, see'mon, baby, now (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
You know you look so good (look so good)
You know you look so fine (look so fine)
Come on and twist a little closer (twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine (let me know you're mine)
Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up, baby)
Everybody say yea (yea) ...
Well, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout (twist and shout)
see'mon see'mon, see'mon, see'mon, baby, now (come on baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
You know you work it on out (work it on out)
You know you look so good (look so good)
You know you got me going (got me going)
Just like i knew that you would (knew you would)
Shake it up, baby (shake it up, baby)
Well, shake it, shake it up, baby, now (shake it up, baby)
Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby)
Shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up, baby)
Say yea (yea) ...
The Five Americans's song "Twist and Shout" is an upbeat rock and roll track about dancing and having fun. The song encourages the listener to shake it up, twist and shout, and work it on out. The lyrics describe the admiration for someone's good looks and the desire to be closer to them. The repetition of the phrases "shake it up, baby" and "twist and shout" express the excitement and energy of a dance party. The lyrics also invite the listener to join in with the enthusiastic "come on baby" and "see'mon see'mon." Overall, the song is a classic example of the fun and energetic rock and roll music popular in the 60s.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright, Say yea (yea)
Let's get started and have some fun, shout out in agreement with me
Shake it up, baby (shake it up, baby) Twist and shout (twist and shout) see'mon see'mon, see'mon, see'mon, baby (come on baby) Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
Let's dance and have a good time by twisting, shouting, and shaking our bodies. I encourage my partner to join me and dance to the beat
You know you're lookin' so good (look so good) You know you look so fine (look so fine) Come on and twist a little closer (twist a little closer) And let me know that you're mine (know you're mine)
I'm admiring my partner's physical appearance and want them to dance closer to me. I want to establish a connection with them by showing them some affection.
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby) Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up, baby) Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby) Ah ... Baby (shake it up, baby)
Let's dance and move our bodies vigorously to enjoy the rhythm of the music. I continue to encourage my partner to shake it up with me
Twist and shout (twist and shout) see'mon see'mon, see'mon, see'mon, baby, now (come on baby) Come on and work it on out (work it on out)
Let's keep dancing and having fun. I invite my partner to keep moving their body and follow me as I dance
You know you look so good (look so good) You know you look so fine (look so fine) Come on and twist a little closer (twist a little closer) And let me know that you're mine (let me know you're mine)
I'm still admiring my partner's appearance and encouraging them to get closer to me. I'm hoping that this dance will allow us to connect more closely
Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby) Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby) Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up, baby) Everybody say yea (yea) ...
Let's continue to dance and shake our bodies. I ask everyone to join in and shout out in agreement for more fun
You know you work it on out (work it on out) You know you look so good (look so good) You know you got me going (got me going) Just like i knew that you would (knew you would)
My partner and I are still dancing and I'm impressed with their moves. I'm enjoying myself and am not surprised that they are such a great dancer
Shake it up, baby (shake it up, baby) Well, shake it, shake it up, baby, now (shake it up, baby) Shake it, shake it, shake it, baby (shake it up, baby) Shake it, shake it, baby, now (shake it up, baby) Say yea (yea) ...
Let's keep the energy going and keep dancing. I want my partner to shake it up even more and call out for everyone to join us in having a good time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bert Russell, Phil Medley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind