"Dear Lady Twist" is a song written and produced by

Frank Guida Frank Guida (May 26, 1922 – May 19, 2007) was a Sicilian-American songwriter and music producer credited with discovering Gary U.S. Bonds, whose hits, including "New Orleans" and " Quarter to Three", he produced. He was also a songwriter for ...

, and performed by

Gary U.S. Bonds Gary U.S. Bonds (born Gary Levone Anderson, June 6, 1939) is an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer, known for his classic hits "New Orleans" and " Quarter to Three". Career Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Bonds lived in Norfolk, ...

. It reached #5 on the U.S. R&B chart and #9 on the U.S. pop chart in 1962. It was featured on his 1962 album ''Twist Up Calypso''. The song ranked #32 on ''Billboard'' magazine's Top 100 singles of 1962.

Background

This song begins with a brief spoken dialogue, as Gary US Bonds asks a lady to dance the Twist with him, in which she replies that she does not know how to do it, resulting in Gary to explain it, by singing. This song is also noted for the male backup singers, repeating the phrase: "Get up from your Chair".

Other versions

Chubby Checker Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans; October 3, 1941) is an American rock and roll singer and dancer. He is widely known for popularizing many dance styles, including The Twist dance style, with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard & The Midnighte ...

released a version of the song on his 1961 album, '' For 'Teen Twisters Only''. *

Rod McKuen Rodney Marvin McKuen (; April 29, 1933 – January 29, 2015) was an American poet, singer-songwriter, and actor. He was one of the best-selling poets in the United States during the late 1960s. Throughout his career, McKuen produced a wide range ...

released a version of the song on his 1961 album ''Mr. Oliver Twist''. *

Duane Eddy Duane Eddy (born April 26, 1938) is an American rock and roll guitarist. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he had a string of hit records produced by Lee Hazlewood, which were noted for their characteristically "twangy" sound, including "Rebel- ...

released a version of the song on his 1962 album ''Twistin' 'N' Twangin.

Popular culture

*This song's title and lyric line are referenced in the song "

Mashed Potato Time "Mashed Potato Time" is a 1962 single written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe, and performed by Dee Dee Sharp, with backing vocals by The Orlons, on her debut album ''It's Mashed Potato Time''. The song refers to the Mashed Potato dance move, which w ...

" (1962) by Dee Dee Sharp.

References

1961 songs 1961 singles Songs written by Frank Guida Gary U.S. Bonds songs Duane Eddy songs Twist (dance) {{1960s-single-stub