Twist and Shout
billy & the kids Lyrics


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...
Well shake it up baby, now
(Shake it up baby)
Twist and shout
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out)
Well work it on out, now
You know you look so good
(Look so good)
You know you got me goin', now
(Got me goin')
Just like I 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 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
(Let me know you're mine)
...
Ahh-hhh-hhh-hhh!
Shake it up baby, now!
(Shake it up baby)
Twist and shout!
(Twist and shout)
Come on, come on, come on, 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)
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)




Ahh-ahhh-ahhh-ahh!
END

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Twist and Shout" by Billy & the Kids are about dancing with a girl and encouraging her to twist and shout with him. The singer tells her to shake it up, twist and shout, and work it on out. He admires her appearance and says that she has him going just like he knew she would. He invites her to twist a little closer to him and let him know that she's his. The song ends with the repeated exhortation to shake it up and twist and shout.


While the lyrics may seem simple, the song is actually a classic that has been covered by numerous artists over the years. One interesting fact is that it was first recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1962, and their version is often considered the definitive one. The Beatles famously covered the song on their debut album, Please Please Me, and it became a hit in the UK. The Beatles' version is known for John Lennon's raspy vocals and the high-energy guitar solo.


Line by Line Meaning

Well shake it up baby, now
Encouragement to move and dance energetically


Twist and shout
Instructions to engage in a lively, twisting dance while shouting with joy


Come on, come on, come on, come on
Repeated urging to keep dancing and having fun


Come on baby, now
Invitation to dance and have fun together


Come on and work it on out
Advice to keep dancing energetically and release any tension or stress


You know you look so good
Compliment on the dancing partner's appearance


You know you got me goin', now
Acknowledgment that the partner's energy and enthusiasm is contagious


Just like I knew you would
Recognition that the dancing partner is living up to expectations


You know you twist, little girl
Acknowledgment that the partner is engaging in the twisting dance


You know, you twist so fine
Compliment on the partner's twisting moves


Come on and twist a little closer, now
Desire for more intimacy and closeness in the dance


And let me know that you're mine
Desire for the partner to feel a romantic connection


Well shake it, shake it, shake it baby, now
Excitement and enthusiasm for the dance




Contributed by Emily C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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