Down at the Twist and Shout

"Down at the Twist and Shout" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Mary Chapin Carpenter. It celebrates the Bethesda, Maryland, dance and music venue Twist & Shout.[1] It was released in June 1991 as the third single from the album Shooting Straight in the Dark. The song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart on September 14, 1991.[2] The Cajun-themed song features backing from members of BeauSoleil, who are also name-dropped in the lyrics.[3] Carpenter (and BeauSoleil) performed the song pregame at Super Bowl XXXI.

"Down at the Twist and Shout"
Single by Mary Chapin Carpenter
from the album Shooting Straight in the Dark
B-side"Halley Came to Jackson"
ReleasedJune 3, 1991
Genre
Length3:21
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Mary Chapin Carpenter
Producer(s)
Mary Chapin Carpenter singles chronology
"Right Now"
(1991)		 "Down at the Twist and Shout"
(1991)		 "Going Out Tonight"
(1991)

In 1992, "Down at the Twist and Shout" won Carpenter a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.[4] It was also nominated at the Academy of Country Music Awards for Song of the Year, but it lost to Billy Dean's "Somewhere in My Broken Heart".

Alvin and the Chipmunks recorded a cover for their 1992 album Chipmunks in Low Places.

American Aquarium covered the song on their 2021 album Slappers, Bangers, and Certified Twangers: Vol 1.

Music video

The music video was directed by Jack Cole and premiered in mid-1991.

Personnel

Per liner notes from Shooting Straight in the Dark.[5]

  • Peter Bonta – acoustic guitar
  • Jimmy Breaux – accordion, Cajun yells
  • Mary Chapin Carpenter – lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Michael Doucet – fiddle, Cajun yells
  • John Jennings – electric guitar, backing vocals, Cajun yells
  • Robbie Magruder – drums
  • Rico Petruccelli – bass guitar
  • Billy Ware – percussion, Cajun yells

Chart performance
Chart (1991) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[6] 7
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 2

Year-end charts
Chart (1991) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[8] 82
US Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 47

References
  1. Harrington, Richard (1998-08-11). "LAST DANCE AT TWIST & SHOUT". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 69.
  3. Shooting Straight in the Dark (CD). Mary Chapin Carpenter. Columbia Records. 1990. CK 46077.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. www.marychapincarpenter.com http://www.marychapincarpenter.com/bio/. Retrieved March 20, 2011. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. Shooting Straight in the Dark (CD). Mary Chapin Carpenter. Columbia Records. 1990. CK 46077.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 1628." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. September 21, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  7. "Mary Chapin Carpenter Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1991". RPM. December 21, 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  9. "Best of 1991: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1991. Retrieved August 16, 2013.


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