"Twistin' the Night Away" is a song written and recorded by Sam Cooke. It was released as a single in 1962 and became very popular, charting in the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 (#9) and Billboard's R&B chart (#1).[1] "Twistin' the Night Away" was successful overseas as well, peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Twistin' the Night Away"
Single by Sam Cooke
from the album Twistin' the Night Away
B-side	"You Send Me" "One More Time" (UK)
Released	January 9, 1962
Recorded	December 18, 1961 at RCA Hollywood
Genre	Rhythm and blues
Length	2:42
Label	RCA Victor 0566 (USA)
Songwriter(s)	Sam Cooke
Producer(s)	Hugo & Luigi, Engineer: Al Schmitt
Sam Cooke singles chronology
"Feel It" (1961) "Twistin' the Night Away" (1962) "Chain Gang" b/w "Cupid" (1962)

The song was recorded with The Wrecking Crew as session musicians, including Rene Hall as band leader, Red Callender on bass, Earl Palmer on drums, Tommy Tedesco and Clifton White on guitars, Ed Beal on piano, John Kelson, John Ewing and Jewell Grant on saxophone and Stuart Williamson on trumpet.[2]

Personnel

• Sam Cooke – vocals
• René Hall – guitar, arrangement, conducting
• Clifton White, Tommy Tedesco – guitar
• Red Callender – bass guitar
• Earl Palmer – drums
• Eddie Beal – piano
• Stuart Williamson – trumpet
• John Ewing – trombone
• Jewell Grant – baritone saxophone

Chart history

Rod Stewart remake

"Twistin' the Night Away"
Single by Rod Stewart
from the album Never a Dull Moment
B-side	"True Blue" / "Lady Day"
Released	August 1973 July 1987 (re-recorded version)
Recorded	1972 1987 (re-recorded version)
Genre	Rock and roll
Length	3:13 (album version) 4:10 (1987 re-recording)
Label	Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Sam Cooke
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"Angel" (1972) "Twistin' the Night Away" (1973) "Oh! No Not My Baby" (1973)

In 1973, Rod Stewart released his version as the third single from Never a Dull Moment, his fourth album. This version achieved marginal success, peaking at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1987, he re-recorded the song for the soundtrack to the film Innerspace. When released as a single in the summer of 1987, this version hit #80 on the Hot 100.

Track listing

1. "Twistin' The Night Away" - 3:15
2. "True Blue" - 3:29

1987 Re-recorded version (from the film, Innerspace)

1. "Twistin' The Night Away" — Rod Stewart (4:10)
2. "Let's Get Small" — Jerry Goldsmith (5:57)

Charts

Original release

Reissue

Divine remake

Divine recorded "Twistin' The Night Away" and released it as the second single from his album Maid in England in 1985.

Track listing

1. "Twistin' The Night Away (Dance Version)" — 6:53
2. "Twistin' The Night Away (Instrumental)" — 6:10
3. "A Divine Good Time" — 3:52

Charts

Elsewhere in popular culture

• The song was also covered by the Motown group, the Marvelettes. Their version of the song appeared on the 1962 album, The Marvelettes Sing Smash Hits of 1962.
• The Glitter Band covered the song in 1974, on their debut album "Hey!".
• Cooke's version also appeared in the 1978 classic Animal House, the 1987 film Innerspace,[15] and the 2011 film The Green Hornet.
• The Shins titled their third album Wincing the Night Away in an apparent reference to the song.
• The song was recorded by Hutti Heita as a dark psytrance track in 2009.
• The song appeared in a dance sequence in Umbrella Academy

See also

• Twist songs
• List of number-one R&B singles of 1962 (U.S.)

References