Fun Facts
- “Twistin’ the Night Away” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962
- After that point, his albums began selling in significant quantities, and despite its ‘twist’ label, the album remains one of his most accessible records.
- Cooke was one of the legendary figures in the history of music and represented the sweetness of soul. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, he was a singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur.
- Cooke’s early career focused mainly on gospel music, and he only hit the big times when he later turned to pop music in 1957. Despite changing style, his smooth-sounding trademark shot him to the top of the charts.
- In 1964, at the age of 33, a motel manager shot him to death, leaving everyone wondering why.
- Cooke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, as well as receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.
Lyrics
Let me tell you ’bout a place
Somewhere up a New York way
Where the people are so gay
Twistin’ the night away
Here they have a lot of fun
Puttin’ trouble on the run
Man, you find the old and young
Twistin’ the night away
They’re twistin’, twistin’
Everybody’s feelin’ great
They’re twistin’, twistin’
They’re twistin’ the night away
Here’s a man in evenin’ clothes
How he got here, I don’t know, but
Man, you oughta see him go
Twistin’ the night away
He’s dancin’ with the chick in slacks
She’s a movin’ up and back
Oh man, there ain’t nothin’ like
Twistin’ the night away
They’re twistin’, twistin’
Everybody’s feelin’ great
They’re twistin’, twistin’
They’re twistin’ the night
Let’s twist a while
Lean up, lean back
Lean up, lean back
Watusi, now fly, now twist
They’re twistin’ the night away
Here’s a fella in blue jeans
Dancin’ with a older queen
Who’s dolled up in a diamond rings and
Twistin’ the night away
Man, you oughta see her go
Twistin’ to the rock and roll
Here you find the young and old
Twistin’ the night away
They’re twistin’, twistin’
Man, everybody’s feelin’ great
They’re twistin’, twistin’
They’re twistin’ the night
One more time
Lean up, lean back
Lean up, lean back
Watusi, now fly, now twist