Chubby Checker – The Twist (Official Music Video)
Inspiration Behind the Twist:
The Twist came from a real-life dance craze that had been circulating in African American communities since the early 20th century. The motions of the twist first appeared in dance moves known as the Mess Around and Ballin’ the Jack. However, when Dick Clark, host of American Bandstand, recognized the potential crossover of the Twist, Chubby Checker, formally Ernest Evans, took this song and dance to new heights.
Biblical Application:
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever, Psalm 30:11-12.
Exegesis of the Twist:
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
An invitation to dance. Chubby is eager to demonstrate and lead the way.
E-yah, twist
Baby, baby, twist
Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss
And do the twist
Chubby is explaining and showing how to 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
He is waiting for his parents to leave, be asleep before he can bust out the twist.
Come on and twist
Yeah, baby, twist
Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss
And do the twist
E-yah
Demonstrating and explaining how to do the Twist only increased its popularity.
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
Chubby likely taught her sister the twist when his dad was sleeping.
Come on and twist
Yeah, baby, twist
Ooh yeah, just like this
Come on, little miss
And do the twist
The chorus helps break down this dance.
Yeah
That’s all right
Yeah, twist all night
Twist
(‘Round and ’round and ’round)
A call to participate.
Final Thoughts:
Certain songs are designed to dance to, with versions of the Twist already in existence. Chubby Checker creates a song to celebrate the Twist which became a cultural movement. When song introduces a dance move, it increases its likelihood of remaining relevant. Nearly 70 years after the Twist was released, it still remains a popular dance move.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 