The Twist – Chubby Checker

About the song

“The Twist” by Chubby Checker is a song that not only captured the spirit of an era but also revolutionized dance floors across America. Released in 1960, this rock and roll classic was originally written and recorded by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters in 1959. However, it was Chubby Checker’s rendition that catapulted the song to unprecedented popularity.

Checker’s version of “The Twist” was released by Cameo-Parkway Records and quickly became a national sensation. The song’s infectious rhythm and simple, yet exhilarating dance moves made it an instant hit among teenagers and adults alike. It reached the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 not once, but twice—first in 1960 and then again in 1962, making it the only single in the rock era to achieve this feat.

“The Twist” is often credited with sparking a dance craze that swept the United States and then the world. The song’s easy-to-follow dance instructions—essentially just twisting your hips—made it accessible to everyone, from the young to the young at heart. This dance craze also had a significant cultural impact, breaking down barriers of race and class as people from all walks of life came together to twist the night away.

Chubby Checker, whose real name is Ernest Evans, became an overnight sensation due to the success of “The Twist.” His energetic performance style and charismatic personality were pivotal in the song’s success. The song’s influence extended beyond the charts, inspiring a plethora of other dance hits and contributing to the popularity of dance shows on television.

“The Twist” is featured on Checker’s 1960 album “Twist with Chubby Checker,” which further solidified his status as a key figure in the rock and roll and dance music scenes. The song’s legacy continues to endure, as it is frequently cited as one of the greatest songs of all time, having been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

In summary, “The Twist” by Chubby Checker is more than just a song; it is a cultural phenomenon that left an indelible mark on the music and dance landscape of the 1960s and beyond. Its joyful, liberating spirit continues to resonate with listeners, inviting everyone to get up and dance.

Video

Lyrics

Come on, baby
Let’s do the twist
Come on, baby
Let’s do the twist
Take me by my little hand
And go like this

E-yah, twist
Baby, baby, twist
Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss, and do the twist

My daddy is sleepin’
And mama ain’t around
Yeah, daddy just sleepin’
And mama ain’t around
We’re gonna twisty, twisty, twisty
‘Til we tear the house down

Come on and twist
Yeah, baby, twist
Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss, and do the twist
E-yah

(‘Round and ’round and ’round and ’round)
(‘Round and ’round and ’round and ’round)
(‘Round and ’round and ’round and ’round)
(‘Round and ’round and ’round and ’round)
(‘Round and ’round and ’round and ’round)

Yeah, you should see my little sis
You should see my, my little sis
She really knows how to rock
She knows how to twist

Come on and twist
Yeah, baby twist
Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss, and do the twist

(‘Round and ’round and ’round and ’round)
Yeah
That’s all now
Yeah, twist all night
Twist
(‘Round and ’round and ’round)