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

(LyricFind)

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