The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.
Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.
Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)
Discography
Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire
Twist And Limbo
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo
Twist and limbo
Have you ever been to Jamaica
Originated from there was the maker
Of a dance I'm sure we all know
So everybody let's
Twist twist and limbo,
For this everybody know
Yeah mama c'mon and
Twist twist and limbo,
For this everybody know
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo
Now everyone in the USA (twist and limbo)
They were all twisting the time away (twist and limbo)
Now I'm not saying that the twist should go (twist and limbo)
But we should twist with the new limbo
So everybody let's
Twist twist and limbo,
For this everybody know
Yeah mama c'mon and
Twist twist and limbo,
For this everybody know
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo
Twist and limbo
Twist ahhhhhhh yeah
Twist and limbo,
Twist and limbo,
Twist and limbo,
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo
Now everyone in the USA (twist and limbo)
They were all twisting the time away (twist and limbo)
Now I'm not saying that the twist should go (twist and limbo)
But we should twist with the new limbo
So everybody let's
Twist twist and limbo,
For this everybody know
Yeah mama c'mon and
Twist twist and limbo,
For this everybody know
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo, come now
Twist and limbo
Twist twist and limbo
The Impressions’ hit song “Twist And Limbo” is a catchy tune about two popular dance styles: the twist and the limbo. The twist originated in the United States, and the limbo originated in Jamaica. The lyrics take us on a journey through the history of these two dances and encourage everyone to get up and dance along.
The song begins with a nod to the limbo dance, which originated in Jamaica. The singer notes that the dance was invented there and calls it the “limby limby limbo”. Then, the song transitions to the twist dance, which was hugely popular in the US during the time the song was released. The singer acknowledges that everyone in the US was already twisting, but encourages them to add the limbo into the mix for a new twist on the old classic.
The lyrics repeat the phrase “Twist and limbo” multiple times throughout the song, enhancing the catchiness of the tune and emphasizing the importance of both dances. Overall, “Twist And Limbo” is a fun and spirited tribute to two classic dance styles, encouraging listeners to get up and dance along.
Line by Line Meaning
Twist twist and limbo
The song is about a dance called limbo and the need to combine it with the popular dance, the twist.
Twist and limbo
The chorus reaffirms the need to combine limbo and twist.
Have you ever been to Jamaica
The dance originated from Jamaica where the maker of the limbo comes from.
Originated from there was the maker
The limbo dance has its origin in Jamaica and was created by a person from there.
Of a dance I'm sure we all know
The limbo dance is a popular dance that most people are aware of.
The limby limby limbo
This line references the name of the dance, which is called 'Limbo.'
Now everyone in the USA (twist and limbo)
The dance became popular in the USA, where people were dancing both the twist and the limbo together.
They were all twisting the time away (twist and limbo)
People were having a good time dancing the twist and the limbo together.
But we should twist with the new limbo
The song suggests that people should combine the twist and the limbo for a newer, more exciting dance experience.
Twist and limbo, come now
A call to action to begin dancing both the twist and the limbo.
Contributed by Victoria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people