About the song
**”The Twist”** is a landmark pop song from the late 1950s and early 1960s, known for sparking a major dance craze. Originally written and recorded by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, it was first released as a B-side to their single “Teardrops on Your Letter” in 1959. The initial version of “The Twist” achieved moderate success, reaching number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960 and climbing to number 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart.
The song’s true impact, however, came with its 1960 cover by Chubby Checker. Checker’s rendition transformed “The Twist” into a cultural phenomenon. Released in September 1960, Checker’s version quickly soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed at number 1 for one week. Remarkably, it became the only song to reach number 1 on the Hot 100 twice, first in 1960 and again when it topped the charts for two weeks starting January 13, 1962, after its re-release. This unprecedented achievement helped solidify “The Twist” as an iconic hit of the era.
The song’s popularity did not wane over the decades. In 1988, a new version by The Fat Boys featuring Chubby Checker revived the twist craze, achieving significant chart success, including reaching number 1 in Germany and number 2 in the UK. Billboard even named “The Twist” as the top hit of the 1960s in 2014, underscoring its enduring influence and legacy in pop culture.
“The Twist” remains a celebrated piece of music history, emblematic of a time when dance and popular music were intimately connected.
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’s just sleepin’
And mama ain’t around
We’re gonna a-twist, a-twist, a-twistin’
‘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
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
Yeah
That’s all right
Yeah, twist all night
Twist
(‘Round and ’round and ’round)