BBC Music Magazine Names Beatles' 'Twist and Shout' the Best Cover Song Ever

Sometimes, a cover will be so singular, so unique, that it stands head and shoulders above the original. It might eclipse said original to the point that the average listener isn't aware that it's a cover. For starters, Aretha Franklin's version of "Respect" and Johnny Cash's haunting rendition of "Hurt."

This also applies to one of the Beatles' earlier hits: "Twist and Shout." Yes, this iconic track is actually a cover of a 1961 song recorded by The Top Notes, an American R&B vocal outfit centered on singers Howard Guyton and Derek Martin. (Fun fact: they also hired a young Dionne Warwickin the early stages of her career.) Released in August 1961, "Twist and Shout" unfortunately failed to chart.

In May 1962, the Isley Brothers recorded the tune for their second studio album, Twist & Shout. The soul group reworked the original Top Notes song, adding a gospel flair, which fared better on the commercial front. "Twist and Shout" broke into the Top 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the Isley Brothers, peaking at No. 17.

The Beatles' version is more rock and roll, of course. While not originally released as a single preceding their debut album, Please Please Me, the legendary rock band's take on the track skyrocketed to No. 1 on the US Cash Box Top 100 chart, while it climbed to the second slot on the Billboard Hot 100. Funnily enough, it didn't enter the UK singles chart until 2010.

Recently, BBC Music Magazine recognized the Beatles' "Twist and Shout" on its list of "The 21 Greatest Cover Versions of All Time," where it took the No. 1 spot, even beating out Franklin's "Respect." The publication lauded the track for its "two minutes and 35 seconds of throat-shredding, frenzied rock and roll that whipped up the mania that would follow them [the Beatles] around the world for the rest of the decade."

The band rearranged "Twist and Shout" into an entirely different sound, making it their own, which the aforementioned magazine noted as one of their "most identifiable sounds." Even 65 years later, its endurance is undeniable. Dancing-nay, twisting and shouting-to this one might transport you to another time.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 9:30 AM.