Dear Lady Twist Explained

Dear Lady Twist
Type:	single
Artist:	Gary U.S. Bonds
Album:	Twist Up Calypso
B-Side:	Havin' So Much Fun
Genre:	Calypso, R&B
Label:	Legrand
Producer:	Frank Guida
Prev Title:	School Is In
Prev Year:	1961
Next Title:	Twist, Twist Senora
Next Year:	1962

"Dear Lady Twist" is a song written and produced by Frank Guida, and performed by Gary U.S. Bonds. It reached #5 on the U.S. R&B chart and #9 on the U.S. pop chart in 1962.^[1] It was featured on his 1962 album Twist Up Calypso.^[2]

The song ranked #32 on Billboard magazine's Top 100 singles of 1962.^[3]

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; the song itself becomes his reply. This song is also noted for the male backup singers repeating the phrase "Get up from your chair".

Other versions

• Chubby Checker released a version of the song on his 1961 album, For 'Teen Twisters Only.^[4]
• Rod McKuen released a version of the song on his 1961 album Mr. Oliver Twist.^[5]
• Duane Eddy released a version of the song on his 1962 album Twistin' 'N' Twangin.^[6]

Popular culture

• This song's title and lyric line are referenced in the song "Mashed Potato Time" (1962) by Dee Dee Sharp.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gary U.S. Bonds, "Dear Lady Twist" Chart Positions. March 1, 2019.
2. Web site: Gary U.S. Bonds, Twist Up Calypso. . 1962 . March 1, 2019.
3. "Top 100 Singles of 1962", Billboard, Section II, December 29, 1962. p. 82. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
4. https://www.discogs.com/release/2160259-Chubby-Checker-For-Teen-Twisters-Only Chubby Checker, For 'Teen Twisters Only
5. Web site: Rod McKuen, Mr. Oliver Twist. . March 1, 2019.
6. Web site: Duane Eddy, Twistin' 'N' Twangin. . 1962 . March 1, 2019.