Friday 12 July 1963 | Parlophone Records, UK
The Beatles' debut EP, Twist And Shout, was released in the United Kingdom on 12 July 1963. Containing four songs drawn from the Please Please Me album, it became one of the best-selling EPs in British chart history.
The EP
Twist And Shout was released by Parlophone with the serial number GEP 8882. Its tracklisting was:
- Side One: 'Twist And Shout' / 'A Taste Of Honey'
- Side Two: 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' / 'There's A Place'
Although all four songs were already available on Please Please Me, the EP still sold more than 800,000 copies. It entered the EP chart on 20 July 1963, reached number one, spent 21 weeks at the top, and remained in the chart for a total of 64 weeks.
The Cover Photograph
The front cover photograph was taken on 25 April 1963 by photographer Fiona Adams. The location was a patch of wasteland near London's Euston Station ā a bombed-out cellar, open to the sky, still awaiting post-war rebuilding.
I had been keen at that time to break away from the conventional Hollywood-style of stage and studio shot. To this end, I would ride around on the top deck of London buses to search out possible locations. An abandoned area had caught my eye at the crossroads of Euston and Gower Street. This was still a London blitzed in parts and awaiting rebuilding.
As far as I remember, we all managed to pile into one taxi; the four Beatles, myself and Maureen O'Grady of Boyfriend ā plus the camera gear! I climbed down the rubble into a bombed-out cellar, open to the sky, and had a wonderful session with the Beatles lined up on the wall above who couldn't have been more co-operative.
Taken on this single roll of film was the Jumping Shot, the shot which John Lennon and Tony Barrow chose for the cover of the Beatles EP album [sic] 'Twist and Shout'.
Fiona Adams
Tony Barrow's Sleeve Notes
The sleeve notes on the back of the EP were written by The Beatles' press officer Tony Barrow:
Each of the four titles here has been clipped away from the Beatles' No. 1 LP Please Please Me which has been at the top of the nation's album charts for umpteen weeks as this sleeve goes to press. It is equally true that one of the songs ā Do You Want To Know A Secret ā became a No. 1 hit as a single when it was recorded for Parlophone by the Beatles' Liverpoplian colleague, Billy J. Kramer.
The items lined up on this EP have been designed to pass the audio spotlight very fairly from Beatle to Beatle, exposing four contrasting facets of the quartet's vocal and instrumental ingenuity. At one end of the scale we have the all-action, all-raving rocker, Twist And Shout. No wonder this has become a show-stopping highspot of the foursome's stage act! John must have built himself a set of leather tonsils in a throat of steel to turn out such a violently exciting track!
The tension eases off with the second number on Side One: Paul McCartney's slightly sad, slightly nostalgic version of A Taste Of Honey. The tune began as a memorable jazz instrumental; Paul's clear, sturdy voice turns it into a haunting piece of atmosphere balladeering.
The second half opens with George Harrison stepping forward to chant the persuasive ballad Do You Want To Know A Secret. Penned by John and Paul, this must be one of the year's most catchy pop hits, and George tempers his vocal delivery with an intriguing blend of warmth and wistfulness.
For the finale John and Paul join forces to handle their own self-penned composition, There's A Place. With a fair amount of Ringo's percussive pressure behind their voices they offer a part-plaintive, part punchy performance of this infectious beat number. Whatever time of the year you find yourself reading these paragraphs it's a pretty safe bet that The Beatles won't be far from the No. 1 chart spot. And with a little luck they'll be No. 1 on the bill at your local theatre too!
Tony Barrow
Key Facts: Twist And Shout EP
| Release date | 12 July 1963 (UK) |
| Label | Parlophone |
| Serial number | GEP 8882 |
| Side One | 'Twist And Shout' / 'A Taste Of Honey' |
| Side Two | 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' / 'There's A Place' |
| Chart entry | 20 July 1963 |
| Weeks at number one | 21 |
| Total weeks on chart | 64 |
| Copies sold | More than 800,000 |
| Cover photo | Fiona Adams, 25 April 1963, Euston, London |
| Sleeve notes | Tony Barrow |
The Beatles: Please Please Me Era
All four Twist And Shout EP tracks came from the debut album. Officially licensed Beatles merch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Twist And Shout EP released?
The Twist And Shout EP was released in the UK on 12 July 1963 by Parlophone (GEP 8882). It entered the EP chart on 20 July 1963 and reached number one.
What songs were on the Twist And Shout EP?
Side One featured 'Twist And Shout' and 'A Taste Of Honey'. Side Two featured 'Do You Want To Know A Secret' and 'There's A Place'. All four tracks were taken from the Please Please Me album.
How many copies did the Twist And Shout EP sell?
The Twist And Shout EP sold more than 800,000 copies in the UK, despite all four songs already being available on the Please Please Me album.
Who took the photo on the Twist And Shout EP cover?
The cover photograph was taken by Fiona Adams on 25 April 1963, at a bombed-out wasteland near Euston Station in London. The famous 'Jumping Shot' was chosen by John Lennon and Tony Barrow for the cover.
How long was the Twist And Shout EP at number one?
The Twist And Shout EP spent 21 weeks at number one on the UK EP chart and remained on the chart for a total of 64 weeks.
ā 12 July in Beatles History
ā July in Beatles History
ā John Lennon: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā Paul McCartney: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā George Harrison: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
ā The Beatles Knowledge Hub
Shop: Beatles T-shirts | Beatles merch by era | Wall art & posters | Mugs & drinkware
0 comments