The one thing I love about music is that everyone has their own story to tell – the musician, the lyrics, the way the fans decipher them and also the way a song can also create a memory or a meaning to someone. That is what this new article is all about. Each fortnight, we will take a look at a different song and I will take you as a trip down memory lane as to what it means to me. Welcome to Music Memories.

Track: Twist And Shout
Artist: The Isley Brothers
Original Release Date: 1961

When I was a kid, i used to really like performing on stage – I have no idea where this came from and I am sure a lot of kids are the same when they were growing up. Well, one of the times I performed on stage actually got photographed by the press and even though I wasn’t in the actual photo that made it to the newspaper so I thought it would be good to talk about that today.

I cannot remember a lot about the day but I do remember I was 7 years old. There was an event taking place in a local hotel – it was quite a posh one and when I look at it now, it is definitely a place that would be used as a wedding venue due to its grounds etc. I can’t remember why but there was an event there with a band performing music for the night, there was about 800-1000 people in the audience and it was like a bit of a mini festival.

At one point in their set, they asked if any children would like to go up on stage and I decided to go up because I never really got nervous as a kid when it came to things like that. A group of us were on stage and we got asked who would want to sing a song and I put my hand up and said I would and I sung Twist and Shout.

I have no real memory of it but there are photos of me singing and I thin I enjoyed it, I remember there was a lot of people in front of me but that is all I can remember. I do remember that I was proud of the fact I had sung to that many people at that age – years ago that would be been more impressive, when you speak about it now or even as I write this I realise that isn’t even probably that impressive in this social media world but this was the late nineties when that wasn’t a thing so I still look on it with proud eyes.

Facts About Twist and Shout

• Song written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns
•  It was originally recorded by the Top Notes, but it did not become a hit in the record charts until it was reworked by the Isley Brothers in 1962
• The Beatles’ rendition of “Twist and Shout” was released on their first UK album Please Please Me, based on the Isley Brothers’ version
• When the Isley Brothers decided to record the song in 1962, Berns (who also used the name Bert Russell) assumed the role of producer.
• “Twist and Shout” became the Isley Brothers first single to reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.