Record #0806: Twist and Shout / There’s a Place– THE BEATLES

 

Tollie 9001 (original US release) USA, 2. March 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – Phil Medley, Bert Russell; Side B - Paul McCartney, John Lennon
Musicians: John Lennon (lead vocals, harmonica on side B, rhythm guitar), Paul McCartney (lead vocals on side B, backing vocals on side A, lead vocals on side B, bass), George Harrison (lead guitar, backing vocals), Ringo Starr (drums)
Recording sessions: EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London, UK, 11. February 1963
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US #2, Canada #5, Australia #5, New Zealand #1, Sweden #2, Norway #7, Finland #1; Side B – US #74

“Twist and Shout” is a huge rock’n’roll classic and recorded in one take! Lennon was not entirely happy with his vocals, so they attempted take two. The Beatles recorded most of their album “Please Please Me” on that day and this was the last song of the session. Lennon, being with a heavy cold, just could not pull it off anymore.
The song was originally recorded by the Top Notes in 1961, but the Isley Brothers’ cover version made it a hit in 1962 (US #17, UK #42).

The flip side, though credited for McCartney and Lennon, was mostly penned by the latter. It has great harmonies and a bit unusual lyric for the time, when light pop songs were topping the charts.

This single was never released in the UK. That may be due to the fact that both tracks were included on their EP “Twist and Shout”, released on 12. July 1963 (Parlophone GEP 8882).

“Twist and Shout” topped the Finnish chat in November 1963. It took the place from Elvis’ “Devil in Disguise”.

List price:  yellow label, green text - Very Good+ is $40, Near Mint is $80; many variants with different text colours and layouts exist. Pricing varies.