Cover vs. Original

Twist and Shout


Shamefully, I only recently found out that the version I love was that recorded by The Beatles. I wondered which one all of you prefered.

Edit by admin: I've just read at songfacts.com that the original was recorderd by a band called The Top Notes in 1961. But the song became popular by the Isley Brothers.

- Alex, London, England, 16.11.2007


The Beatles
1963

vs.

The Isley Brothers
1962

CD-Cover: The Beatles - Please Please Me 73.2 % 26.8 % CD-Cover: The Isley Brothers - Shake It Up, Baby: Shout, Twist and Shout
Results of the voting: Cover versus Original
Click on the cover for listening Click on the cover for listening
The Beatles 1566 Votes The Isley Brothers

Comments about Twist and Shout:

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Actually, the version by the Isley Brothers isn't the original either. The very first version was by an obscure vocal group called The Top Notes. However their version has a very different arrangement, from the later two, that you'd swear it was an entirely different song if you weren't listening to the words.
As for best version, I pick The Isley Brothers.
- Chris Mulwee, Charlotte NC, United States, 05.11.2008
Lennon sang that version in one live take with a 104 degree fever - they knew they could only do one take because it shredded his vocals so they saved it for the end of the recording session
- Joe C, Camp Hill, PA, United States, 09.07.2008
The Isley's were fantastic, and their version is really fun, but The Beatles version is a landmark of popular music, epic with a capital E.

The Beatles simply take the song over and when they're done with it three minutes later there's basically nothing left of the original. It's on the floor in shambles.

One of the two or three greatest vocal performances ever by John Lennon, and baby, that's really saying something!
- Mucho Moss, San Narcisco, United States, 14.05.2008
Yeah I like there more screeching quality, no offense beatles fans
- Jim, Rome, United States, 19.01.2008
Close, but I'm going with the Beatles here.
- Jack, Columbus, United States, 17.11.2007
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