John Lennon never shied away from criticizing The Beatles, especially as the years passed. During the 1970s, nothing delighted him more than sitting down with interviewers and expressing his dissatisfaction with certain Beatles songs.
While he had plenty of praise for the band’s successes, Lennon often found fault in the Fab Four’s discography, even joking that the band had pulled off one of music’s greatest pranks.
Lennon’s Selective Critique
Lennon wasn’t randomly targeting songs. His complaints were usually directed at tracks that didn’t resonate with him artistically. For instance, he once called “Good Morning Good Morning” “garbage” and referred to Abbey Road as “junk.” His harshest critiques were typically aimed at songs written by The Beatles themselves, but he seldom criticized songs written by others.
That’s what made his comments about “Twist and Shout,” one of the band’s most famous performances, stand out.
Influenced by American R&B
Throughout their career, The Beatles drew heavy inspiration from American R&B. Paul McCartney was influenced by Motown bassist James Jamerson, George Harrison wanted to record Revolver at Stax Records, and the group frequently incorporated R&B, soul, and early rock and roll covers into their setlists. They often praised artists like Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Smokey Robinson, and Little Richard, whose music shaped their sound.
One such influence was The Isley Brothers, whose hit “Twist and Shout” became a regular feature in The Beatles’ performances. Lennon took the lead on the song, delivering a famously raw, throat-shredding rendition during their Please Please Me recording session. It was the final song of the day, and Lennon, who was battling illness, delivered a one-take performance that captured the band’s electric energy.
Lennon’s Self-Consciousness on Stage
Despite the success of “Twist and Shout,” Lennon admitted to feeling uneasy about performing the song, particularly when sharing a stage with Black artists.
In a 1963 interview, Lennon confessed, “I always hate singing the song ‘Twist and Shout’ when there’s a coloured artist on the bill with us. It doesn’t seem right, you know. I feel sort of embarrassed… I always feel they could do the song much better than me.”
His comments reflected a sense of respect for the original artists and an awareness of his position as a white performer singing a song deeply rooted in Black music.
Lennon’s Passionate Performance
Despite his discomfort, Lennon’s performances of “Twist and Shout” remain iconic. While he may have felt self-conscious, few would argue that his raw energy didn’t bring the song to life.
He might have viewed it as a “white man’s version,” but he infused the track with enough grit and passion to make it his own, just as The Isley Brothers had done before him.
“Twist and Shout” is a testament to the power of great music—it’s a song that leaves room for interpretation and passion, no matter who’s performing it.
