
Jim over at Song Lyric Sunday has challenged us to write about a song that mentions a dance style or craze or a song that has itâs own dance. My choice covers all those options.
The Peppermint Lounge was a popular disco on West 45th Street in New York City from 1958 to 1965. The club had a lengthy mahogany bar running along one side, many mirrors and a dance floor at the back, a capacity of about 180 people, and a large gay clientele. It was a happening scene.
As Chubby Checkerâs âTwistâ craze hit the scene, celebrities swarmed to the Peppermint Lounge, big names such as Audrey Hepburn, Truman Capote, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Liberace, NoĂ«l Coward, Frank Sinatra, Norman Mailer, Annette Funicello, even the elusive Greta Garbo had a swinging time there. Jackie Kennedy was such an enthusiast that she arranged for a temporary Peppermint Lounge to be mounted in the White House.
The Beatles were filmed visiting the club during their first U.S. visit in 1964. Artists who performed at the Peppermint Lounge include the Beach Boys, the Ronettes (who made their professional debut there in 1961) the Crystals, the Isley Brothers, Chubby Checker, Liza Minelli and the Four Seasons. But the crowds loved to dance to the house band, Joey Dee and the Starliters âŠ. especially after they recorded their biggest hit song âThe Peppermint Twistâ, written in 1961 by Joey Dee and Henry Glover.
Capitalizing on the âTwistâ dance craze started by Chubby Checker and the name of the nightclub where Joey Dee performed, “The Peppermint Twist” hit No.1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in early 1962. The song was a huge hit, replacing Chubby Checkerâs âThe Twistâ at the No. 1 position.
I was just a kid but that didnât matter; people of all ages loved dancing to âThe Twistâ and still do; âThe Peppermint Twistâ was no different. It was lots of fun, easy to do and had a great sound. Get ready to start cutting the rug. Here are Joey Dee and the Starliters with their biggest hit âŠ. âThe Peppermint Twistâ.
And it goes like thisâŠ..
Lyrics
Well they’ve got a new dance and it goes like this
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Yeah the name of the dance is Peppermint Twist
(Bop shoo-op, a bop bop shoo-op)
Well you like it like this, the Peppermint Twist
It goes ’round and ’round, up and down
‘Round and ’round, up and down
‘Round and ’round and a up and down
And a one two three kick, one two three jump
Well meet me baby down at 45th street
Where the Peppermint Twisters meet
And you’ll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
It’s alright, all night, it’s alright
It’s okay, all day, it’s okay
You’ll learn to do this, the Peppermint Twist
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Ey yeah
Ey yeah
Ey yeah
Ey yeah
Ey yey yeah
Ey yey yeah
Ey yey yeah
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Henry Glover / Joseph Di Nicola
Peppermint Twist (Original Artist Re-recording) lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Wixen Music Publishing
NAR©2024

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantâs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.
What a fun video! So interesting to read about the Peppermint Lounge place and all the celebrities who went to it. I do remember this song, and also Chubby Checker’s one. Also did the dance quite a bit many years ago. I did remember hearing warning that you might need a chiropractor if you did this dance. haha đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Twist and all its variations was a lot of fun because it was so easy to do and everyone could do some form of it to the best of their ability. I guess if people truly went crazy on the dance floor, they might pull something or even fall dawn. I’m sure a lot depends on how much booze was consumed that night, too! đđđ
LikeLiked by 1 person
đđ»đŹđșđ»
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw what you did there! Very nice! đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
đđđ»
LikeLike
It’s been a long time since I did the twist! This was fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it, Michael. Did you get up and dance?
The last time I did the twist was a few years ago at a wedding. I stood, feet planted on the dance floor, and moved my arms and hips ever so slightly. It was very chic and I didn’t even break a sweat! đ đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Did you get up and dance?” After closing the blinds… yeah, maybe a little bit! It’s pretty difficult to ignore twist music. You have my admiration for getting up on the dance floor in public!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! That’s about all I did …. stand up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This just cracks me up: “Jackie Kennedy was such an enthusiast that she arranged for a temporary Peppermint Lounge to be mounted in the White House.” Go Jackie Go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
đ They were the Kennedys, don’t ya know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
đ€Łđ€Łđ€Ł
Sorry, Nancy! I just saw ‘The Freddie’, misheard the word as ‘Friday’, and thought đł! That’s tickled me!
And, back on track, I like the Peppermint Twist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!! Back on track, I’m glad you enjoyed the Peppermint Twist. It would have been quite a trip going to the Peppermint Lounge I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I would have loved it! đ
LikeLike
Love it, Nancy! I salute your love and passion for music đ¶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, KK!
It’s easy when it comes naturally. đ¶
LikeLiked by 1 person
How can you not smile and wanna join in with this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My thoughts exactly. They’re all having so much fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like this version by UK glam rockers; The Sweet. https://youtu.be/oyFuZZqsYPY?feature=shared
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! That was great fun, Glyn. Thanks for the share!
LikeLike
Loved it loved it Nancy đđđ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Willow!
I can remember doing all these dances back in the day!
Now I try to stay vertical and limit myself to slow dancing đđ» đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. Me too đđđđđ
LikeLike
I don’t know anybody who doesn’t do it. Great post Nancy and it was fun to hear this song again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! That was a great line from the video!
Thanks, Jim. This was a fun challenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that was fun, although I did worry a bit about the gals in heels…
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG! I’m afraid my days in heels are behind me; staying vertical is a high priority! đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Iâm with you! It takes a lot for me to put them on these days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went down a similar route đ
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s far too tempting to resist.
Then there’s this: https://youtu.be/rVrT_uZOh2E?si=fpttgxu5qvgI_vDq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope, not heard it before. Youâre right. Itâs absolute crap!
LikeLiked by 1 person
đ€Ł
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it Nance! I’m heading over to join in now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, CA!
Glad you enjoyed this one.
LikeLike