The Beatles recorded their celebrated version of “Twist And Shout” for their 1963 debut album, Please Please Me, with John Lennon delivering the lead vocal despite his voice being badly strained after a long recording session. The performance became notable because its raw intensity was captured in a single successful take, helping establish the song as one of the group’s defining early covers and a regular concert finale.

Written by Bert Berns and Phil Medley, the song had previously been recorded by the Top Notes and made a US Top 20 hit by the Isley Brothers in 1962. Producer George Martin chose it to close Please Please Me after seeing it succeed live, but saved it until last because the demanding vocal could have prevented Lennon recording other tracks. The album was recorded largely in one night at EMI Studios; after lozenges and milk, Lennon completed the first take, later saying the effort left his throat feeling like “sandpaper”.