Twist and Shout - Top Notes 1961 (Rare original version)

[TouchwoodOfSaburac]

Of course as a Beatles-fan I prefer their version.

I also try to find the original of what they covered.

After reading all reviews, I realized that I was missing something.

Namely, the original titel of this song: Shake It Up, Baby.

[YOU2UUB]

ONE WORD  S U C K S

[golfdom1987]

Love the old pics! Who is singing at 2:24?

[lizichell2]

This is so much better than any other version of this song!!!

[mrsoftee82]

this is the original, it flopped and the producer gave this song to isley brothers and they turned it out

[LCPD9111]

So this is the original

[eiffel0189]

I go for the Beatles version... It's a music rarity, that a new cover outshines the previous ones, and the Beatles did it once again

[TheMelissaEmma]

brian poole version is better

[0dnthate0love0]

Beatles covered it way better...just saying

[problem49]

Live and learn! I had always assumed that the Isley Brothers version was the original, but I obviously stand corrected. Their version is still the greatest.

[sndantzler]

are you sure this is the original? The Isleys' came out in 1959, but this says 1961. If I'm mistaken, my apologies. I still love this song by ALL ARTISTS who created/covered it =)

[IHearQuestionMark137]

what instruments are used?

[corvus13]

The Top Notes version was called "Shake it Up, Baby".

[SgtOBrien]

Thank good, the Isley Brothers did a better cover of it.

[SincerelyJustine]

yeah this one came a little before the beatles but the beatles version is a hell of a lot better.

[FenixbandTV]

Hii, listen our Twist and Shout cover!! Thanks!!!

[jaemel1]

Still think the Isley's did it best.

[nintendo123ish]

after hearing and being used to the beatles version, i like it better. beatles forever!

[BEATLE909GRM]

THERE'S NO NOUBT THE BEATLES VERSION COVER IS THE BEST

[BEATLE909GRM]

THE BEATLES VERSION IS THE BEST

[diehardWHfan]

beatles version owns this hands down..:)

[norristerse]

i like this and the beatles' version better than the isleys' which is a bit perverse, considering i think ronald isley is the best singer in the history of the universe

[tehmaster690]

This was before Phil Spector managed to perfect his Wall of Sound. It's kinda limp wristed and loungey - not the best stuff for an energetic song. The Isley Brothers and the Beatles both did it better.

[mindlessprimitive]

this sounds like a gay guy who listend to the beatles and got high on crack

[Bequia08]

Jerry Wexler who produced this with Phil Spector in 1961 later admitted that he and Phil "managed to f-up a natural hit". The songwriter, Bert Berns aka Bert Russell, objected to the result and was "invited to shut up" ... Berns later produced the Isley's hit version in 1962.

[RossM3838]

This was before the isleys and I love it but the Isleys really nailed it.

[IceToadIceToad]

Thumbs up if u were born in the wrong era!

[SeaDollarsBertram]

sounds more like it should've been in the fifties tan in the 60s

[thecountofbasie]

Actually I prefer this to the Isleys...but the Beatles nailed it...thanks for posting

[ilovebigoobies]

this is the original originally produced by Phil spector originally, originally it's the best version of the song, being original, and better, more energy, did i mention better??????

originality is the key

this song is effing awesome

[ilovebigoobies]

this is the original and better than the beatles version, this version has more soul. and is just awesome

[charliegray12212]

i would like rnb if it still sounded like this

[sexysport201]

this is the original version everyone else covered it check the 6 year old guitarist who does this purely awesome

[SeaDollarsBertram]

who's that at 1:17?

[RcEdits]

@whythe60shateus you stupid? the pictures are of paul mccartney, john lennon and george harrison

[ilovebigoobies]

this version is miles better, but this whole journey's a personal thing, i'm not right or wrong

[dandman1575]

Wow, sounds pretty cool! I also thought the Isleys originally put this out, but I guess I was wrong. I love finding rare treasure like this. Thanks for posting, and allowing me to hear the original version.

[left4awsome2]

the isley brothers made the song beatles made it as famous as it is and everyone else covered it

[left4awsome2]

i thought the isly brothers made it this is probably a remake. aloooot of ppl covered this song

[mapo69]

@left4awsome2

This is really the original version! Investigate upon it! You'll see! Check it out! ;) 

[vdeferens]

Man, the only thing standing between The Top Notes and world domination was a shitty producer!!! That's a lesson for all you wannabe rockstars out there! 2nd lesson: retain rights to the songs you wrote - hopefully these guys did cos they would be billionaires due to royalties by now.

[ilovebigoobies]

@vdeferens This was a much better produced song, the test of time i think will prove this song right. It's faster, more energy, better. To be fair the Beatle had thousands of hits all great, this version is just... better, could have a couple more verses because it's so good

[mnt031092]

At 1:22, those are some sexy boots George is wearing. LOL =)

[capsuleboy]

top notes did the original , from which only the name survived.. the Isley brothers actually did the Beatles version of this song.. so comparing this version to the Beatles version doesnt make sense..

[miles7291]

The Isley Brothers version is my favorite. They sing it with soul.

[taytelay]

this is the top notes playing so y is there pics of the beatles

[noisesionoise]

this is so good as the beatles way, good song anyway!

[barnaba1964]

but the original version was by Isley brothers....who are this?

[allisonsalazar]

I like your first vid man!, keep going great song and great pics, can you please share wid me those pics man!?

[XWViewer]

0:11 LOL look at George

[gochisox4696]

wow. the beatles did a much better job.

[theZodiacDigital]

@gochisox4696 you really should listen to the isley brothers version. the beatles were really copying the isley brothers NOT this song when they covered it. they did a good version but it was really because of the isley brothers.

[maccagirl56]

Most of these photos were taken by Astrid in Hamburg or Mike McCartney in Liverpool. Great stuff! This version is interesting-by the Isley's and the Beatles are more true to the spirit.

[jojolover0078]

its catchy :))

[rockinjohn89]

The Top Notes version of Twist And Shout" is the original. It was produced by Phil Spector. It's one of Spector's early productions. The lead vocalist of The Top Notes is Howie Guyton. He was in a doo wop group called The Pearls in the 1950's.

[Marshallsg]

Wow... this is so different.

[VinylRecords60]

Great pictures! Yeah Spector really fucked up the song, The Topnotes' version is pretty shitty. Wasn't Derek Martin in this group?

[salman12322]

0:29 Aint that The Beatles?

[QVrat123]

its definately different lol i prefer the Isley/Beatles version

[finnishshadow]

Whoa..The Beatles version's way better.

[trevanismith]

isley brothers and the beatles version...you can actually understand lol.....but this is unique.

[cricetulus]

i prefer The Who version with the flat vocals of john entwistle!

[MarkinDC]

everyone interprets a song a little differently. Hadn't heard this version before, thanks for posting.

[hungryherbie]

Top Notes might have made the original version

of Twist & Shout but its way behind The Beatles

and Brian Poole both were awesome

[tititop]

The Beatles version is better !

[Stuka1494]

@tititop well duh.......

[Sephir9x]

way better

[305308537]

si no me equivoco la original es de 1959 y la grabaron los isley brothers ... todos los demas son covers

[xxbittersweetsoulxx]

OMG! I never knew how different the Beatles version was! They're like two totally different songs!

This is so lame compared to the Beatles' one!

[PhotoFilmStudios]

@xxbittersweetsoulxx yea seriously i just stopped not even half way through the song, they dont even say twist and shout lol no wonder the beatles changed it all around haha

[tryst0]

if all these other acts were THAT good how come the Beatles are THE Legends that they are and eternally will be when the rest are forgotten?

[mutleybird]

@tryst0 Trendiness, then continual non-stop marketing by a record industry finally catching up to the permanence of rock & roll. That's it. Many songs from many groups in the earlier days BLOW away the beatles, but you aren't being told about them, so you'll never hear those songs or be able to listen to them for what they are rather than just who did them.

[luvureally]

@tryst0

Isley Brothers were THAT good, that's why the Beatles and everyone else has covered the Isley arrangement. "Twist & Shout" is based on "Shout", written and originally recorded by the Isleys in 1959. Isley Brothers hardly forgotten, had several multi platinum & gold albums and are in R&R Hall of Fame.

' if all these other acts were THAT good how come the Beatles are THE Legends that they are and eternally will be when the rest are forgotten?

[BeBop2012]

beatles r way better.

[CarlosS0808]

@BeBop2012 - HELL YA!!!! beatles are way better

[TasOMW]

@BeBop2012 the who are even better

[badmon1992]

@BeBop2012 true but i would say the isley brothers and beatles are tied. well isley bros style of this song is what the beatles covered cause the isley brothers changed it up a bit but beatles just put some rock into it. both great thoe

[petebest22]

My Fav Version has to be "Brian Poole & The Tremoles" so much more energy and great power on them drums.

[petebest22]

the Best Version has to be .. Brian Poole & the Tremoles, so much more energy and a great beat on them drums.

[bootle11]

Has anyone else noticed how indebted Beatles were to Rory Storm group?Lennon's guitar style, in Hamburg/Decca Audition days- very similar to Johnny Guitar---the whole sound of the group in the "Lend Me Your Comb" days, and , of course, they nicked Ringo! Would "All My Lovin'" have that guitar without "Dr. Feelgood"? What made Beatles is they created something new from a variety of influences, but The Hurricanes as as origin of the early Beatles sound; mutual evolution or family tree-discuss : )

[gabyartes01]

beatles is better

[BiToGuGe4ever]

I prefer Beatles' version.

[babyEroose]

Well let's always keep in mind that there wouldn't be a "Beatles' version" had there not been this one, which provided the lyrics and then the Isley Brothers rendition which provided the now famous arrangement of the song that the Beatles get all the credit for.

[brieve44]

Great photos, very rare. Nice one.

[beastabuelos]

who cares?

[DrBraids]

who did the original?

[mapo69]

Read the info!! You'll have the answer! MAPO69! :D

[DrBraids]

oh wow thanks that's actually pretty awesome

[AOCRkid]

isley brothers.

[obbor4]

It was the Isley Brothers. Circa300 (below) is right, John nailed it, despite the fact that his throat was raw from a cold and a marathon recording session in which the first album was completed entirely in just 13 hours.

[plerimest]

@DrBraids - thats the original version! (but sounds not really good)

[AndyBoy63]

@DrBraids

Isley Brothers

[circa300]

The Beatles may not have made the song, but they were definitely the best at playing it. John's voice is beyond compare in it, and the amount of enthusiasm just beats anything.

[RichieStarkey]

and look at the one at 0:20. Paul on drums and Pete Best doing a solo vocal !!  huh...

[mapo69]

Yes indeed Pete Best did on rare occasions sing lead vocals. Apparently he did an OK cover of the song "Peppermint Twist" while still with the Beatles!

[RichieStarkey]

wow! some really rare photos i've never seen! like the one at 1:48. is that John and Paul back to back.  great stuff.

[mapo69]

Yup! It's them alright back to back! Look at the guy at the piano also, it's Roy Young! He was for a short time a member of the band while they were playing at the Star Club in Hamburg!

[KJ0012]

sorry, but I still think the Beatles did the best version of this song. I mean this is good and all

[JrAndrewKent]

Wow that's awesome thank you for putting this up it's nice to here songs that are that rare, where ever did you find this, Do you have the record Do you have anything else this rare?, I'd love to hear them all i just subscribed to mapo69 so keep 'em coming

[SecretagentLeon]

lol George 0:12

[spanglishgaz]

if the isley brothers released theirs in 1959 wouldnt that still make them first

[mapo69]

Nope! Top Notes were really the first ones!

- "When the Isley Brothers decided to record the song in 1962...' - source Wikipedia

MAPO69

[italiandude719]

were the beatles the top notes at one time? whats up with all the beatle pics?

[mapo69]

Not at all! I simply put early Beatles pics because I wasn't able to find enough pics of the Top Notes and since the Beatles had covered the song I thought it would be a good idea to put in the video pics of them! Simple as that! MAPO69 :D

[davemccully]

great video

[mapo69]

Thanks mate! I appreciate the comment! :) MAPO69

[srercrcr]

The Top Notes best effort was THE BASIC THINGS (on the Tube)

[2l3z1rd4]

lo unico que hicieron los beatles es añadirle a la letra de esta rola los tonos de la bamba!

[sadscient]

La versión de los Beatles es la mejor, pero solo le dieron más caña a la versión de los Isley Brothers que sí es muy similar a la suya

[dimges]

later cover version take rhythm from La Bamba..

[Marshallsg]

Wow so this is what Twist and Shout was. Wow.

[diego6696005]

Agradezcan a the beatles por mejorar esta canción xDD

[outrundaylite]

So THIS is the original Twist and Shout. Learn something new everyday. I thought the Isley version was the original version. The Isley version is more rhythmic and spawned the Beatles' version, but this original Top Notes version has lots of energy. It reigns as the true original version.

[1m2a3t4t5]

fucking idiot

why the hell would this person make this video then put a slideshow of "THE BEATLES" throughout the video

when it by "TOP NOTES"

[mapo69]

Because the "fucking idiot" couldn't find any enough pictures of the Top Notes on the internet and thought that putting early Beatles pics would be a good idea because they had covered the song and had a big hit with it! Any other questions my friend? MAPO :)

[douglasj53]

@mapo69 Let's see if I've got this right: I can either like your video 'cause I got to see some great pics of the Beatles I had never seen before and hear a version of Twist and Shout that I never knew existed or I can not like it because it doesn't meet some asshole's intellectual seal of approval. Let me think...

[MrBradylicious]

why are you showing pictures of the beatles?

[ryderg47]

Surely they all are derived from 'La Bamba ' anyway.

But still pretty good all three of them.

[ryderg47]

All three versions are great . But surely they all derive from ' La Bamba '.

[harvardlawfan]

this is the original right? but everybody knows the beatles version i doubt people even know the beatles didn't write it

[Alineh]

I am veeery suspect to say that because I'm a beatlemaniac, but I do prefer Beatles' version, it is much more vivid and euphorical. But this one is good too, if they hadn't done it, The Beatles wouldn't have it to cover! :)

[pyskute]

I was born too late, that's what i understand when litening to music like this.

Ah, my spirit is always there.

[brandstifter68]

Totally different arrangement but the same song - look it up! The Isley Brothers changed it and the beatles changed it further. This ain't rocket science, Presentyouth.

[outrundaylite]

This version is very good. Lots of energy and it reigns as the original. The Isleys and the Beatles must acknowledge this version as the source of their efforts.

[it401301]

Liked the video. Impressive first effort.

[mokacode]

The best version!..Hard twist!....

[Presentyouth]

This isn't the Twist & Shout that The Beatles covered. Good greif are u people completely deaf? Google the song by The Isley Brothers from Ohio. That's the one The Beatles covered.

[Vitotesta]

@Presentyouth Twist & Shout was written by Phil Medley & Bert Russell. This is the first recorded version of the song by The Top Notes. The Isley Bros. recorded their own 'version' of the song which was later covered again by The Beatles. signed, Hell N. Keller

[Cyanicist]

And this is the one the Isley Brothers covered... so this is the one the Beatles covered too...

[26highstreet]

sounds very weak, you can see why hardly anyone bought it.. sounds very much like a mexican song

[mokacode]

C'mon !that's the best hardcore version ever....

[DSAsmax]

what the fuck?

[CRonaldo9387]

are you retarded? the beatles version is brilliant... why do you think the beatles version is still heard today? you dont know music

[M3town3]

If it wasn't for Spector I wouldn't even minded to listen to it, song 0 stars, Spector, 5 stars! *****

[Kinkas08]

Yeah, murderers are awesome.

[nutted123]

beatles version is better

[urabetch11]

this version is wayyyy too abnoxious. the Beatles are muchhh better(:

[trhummer1]

Interesting. The Beatles understood that the tune needed to be (even) simpler. Very smart of them. Nice sax ride here!

[charliemagoo]

@trhummer1 well, before the beatles, the isley brothers covered it, which sounds a lot more like the beatles version

[luvureally]

The Beatles just did a cover of the Isley cover.

[srercrcr]

Sounds nothing like The Basic Things by the same group/label/producer. I will upload it tonight.

[MrNicespaces]

Wow. Is Wikipedia right? I knew my beloved Beatles covered this, but I thought the Isley's was the first. Great post.

[renzitomaniaco]

you moron.... beatles did a cover of this song but it wasnt written by them --__--'

[mgb11271950]

If that's the Beatles, then I'm Brad Pitt and my wife is Angelina Jolie

[darkcrawler116]

thats no the beatles, that s the original version of twist and shout.

beatles played a cover.

[mysteriousladydragon]

1:37-- Sounds like a nail driven on a chalk board!!

[asianwhitenigger]

a dude from alabama likes music with black musicians?? holy fuck

[lazur1]

There was no Who yet in '62, when the Beatles recorded this, and The Who didn't want to record stuff already associated w/ The Beatles, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that "Twist & Shout" was part of early live Who shows

[Carameldevine]

Beatles recorded this in 64. Isley Bros released their version in 1962. The Isley version is the one the Beatles, Who & everyone else has based their covers on.

[MrAction21]

beatles recorded this in 63, sir

[AsherSax]

Undeniably great sax in this original recording. But I think the Beatles did do very well with developing this song.

As I was writing this comment, I came to about 1:35 where the singer gives an incredible vibrato to the song. That definitely works. Great song from Top Notes, the Igley Brothers, and the Beatles. I think they all contributed a little.

[jdsco61]

Thanks, mapo69, for the video post. I'm somewhat of a history music buff and enjoyed learning more about 'Twist and Shout.' The rare, old photos are cool as well. My fav version is the Isley Bro.

Thanks again from Alabama, USA

[RaulMMJesus]

not a Bealtes song, but they´ve turned it greater then it was.

[tanbir11]

for some reason i prefer the beatles sounds more clear

[skidder151]

me to

[d141c]

Los autores del tema son Russel y Medley.

[mimicry11]

Am grateful to the Isley Bros for reconfiguring this song, and that the Beatles modelled what they did after the Isley's version -- and not this. But a lot of early R&R was improved upon by later artists. OMG!! 00:54 Beatles with Little Richard!

[phazoneatermetroid77]

i know this is the original but i still prefer the Beatles cover!

[GoopyProduction]

this isnt the original

[mapo69]

Sorry to disappoint you but it is the original:

"In 1961, a year after Phil Spector became a staff producer at Atlantic records, he was asked to produce a single by an up-and-coming vocal group, the Top Notes (sometimes named "Topnotes"):." - Wikipedia

[GoopyProduction]

you cant get all your info from wikipedia

the isley brothers made it

[mapo69]

You can believe whatever you want! I can't help it if you're just narrow minded! Take care my friend! :D

[GoopyProduction]

i know your right i just wanted to be proven wrong

[lazur1]

I remember hearing this in '61,( I was 11). The Isley's version came out a few months later, in early '62.

[namnoiz]

Great music and historical video!

[nicodagger]

Who wrote this song?

[mapo69]

Phil Medley and Bert Berns

[d141c]

Rusell and Medley.

Greetings from Montevideo, Uruguay

[thmisaac]

i bet this was the sht back then

[GoldenFIames]

lo iknow

[oldstylelife]

it sounds groovy it has the remaining sound of the true fifties but it will soon be bombarded by the awesome beatles but i like both versions

[MrFjkas]

sheesh no wonder they remade this one. just awful.

[quantumdriven]

First time I've heard this original version.

[nelsonmouse]

Mammas and pappas vergion worth a listen totally different tempo

[srpryvan]

oui merci c pas toujour evident pour un quebecquoi je vais surement améliorer cela avec le temp

[BazookaTooth59]

doesn't anyone realize that topnotes is only the first to RECORD the song, it wasnt written by them, not bad though, still like Isley Brothers and Beatles alot more, especially john lennons vocal performance on it

[kevinfanofthebeatles]

the full name of the band is

"Ernie" and the top notes

[mapo69]

Very true! But in 1959 they were just called the "Top Notes" at that moment! Cheers from MAPO! :D

[NijyuShogunateSan]

isle bro version is better then beatles and this one.

[vikki374]

no way dumbass THE BEATLES ARE BETTER THEN ANY OF THESE COVERS

[JodyNobody]

the beatles covered this