Episode 91: “The Twist” by Chubby Checker – A History of Rock Music in 500  Songs

Aout the Song

In the realm of popular music, there are songs that fade into obscurity with the passing of time, and then there are those that stand the test of generations, becoming timeless anthems that ignite dance floors and evoke memories across decades. Chubby Checker’s “Let’s Twist Again” falls into the latter category, a true dancefloor classic that has captivated audiences since its release in 1961.

Born Ernest Evans in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chubby Checker rose to prominence in the early 1960s, riding the wave of the Twist dance craze that had swept the nation. His rendition of “The Twist” in 1960 became an instant sensation, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks and selling over a million copies.

Capitalizing on the Twist’s popularity, Checker released “Let’s Twist Again” the following year. The song was an instant hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a global phenomenon. Its infectious rhythm, simple lyrics, and energetic performance made it an irresistible invitation to the dance floor.

“Let’s Twist Again” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a cultural touchstone that captures the spirit of an era. Its release coincided with a period of social and political upheaval, and its carefree, exuberant energy offered an escape from the anxieties of the time. The song became an anthem for a generation seeking liberation and self-expression, and its dance moves embodied a rejection of conformity and a celebration of individuality.

The song’s enduring legacy is a testament to its timeless appeal. “Let’s Twist Again” has been covered by countless artists, from Aretha Franklin to Dick Clark, and its influence can be heard in various genres, from rock and roll to hip hop. It has been featured in numerous films and television shows, and its instantly recognizable melody continues to fill dance floors around the world.

Chubby Checker’s “Let’s Twist Again” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has transcended generations. Its infectious rhythm, simple lyrics, and energetic performance have made it an enduring dancefloor classic, capturing the spirit of an era and inspiring countless individuals to let loose and twist again.

Chubby Checker - M&M Group Entertainment

Video

Lyrics: Let’s Twist Again

Come on everybody!
Clap your hands!
All you looking good!I’m gonna sing my song
It won’t take long!
We’re gonna do the twist
And it goes like this:Come on let’s twist again,
Like we did last summer!
Yeaaah, let’s twist again,
Like we did last year!

Do you remember when,
Things were really hummin’,
Yeaaaah, let’s twist again,
Twistin’ time is here!

Heeee, and round and round and up and down we go again!
Oh, baby, make me know you love me sooooo,
And then:

Twist again,
Like we did last summer,
Come on, let’s twist again,
Like we did last year!

TWIST! YO!

Who’s that, flyin up there?
Is it a bird? Noooooo
Is it a plane? Noooooooo
Is it the twister? YEAAAAAAAHH!

Twist again, like we did last summer,
Come on, Let’s twist again,
Like we did last year!!!!

Do you remember when, things were really hummin’,
Come on, let’s twist again,
Twistin’ time is here

Heeee, and round and round and up and down we go again!
Oh, baby, make me know, you love me sooooo!
And then:
Come on, twist again, like we did last summer,
Let’s twist again, like we did last year!

Come on, let’s twist again,
Twistin’ time is heeeere!

You Missed

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?