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Written by: Hank Ballard
Produced by: Karl Mann
Released: Aug. '60 on Parkway
Charts: 39 weeks (total)
Top spot: No. 1

"The Twist" began as a B side for Ballard and the Midnighters in 1958, a throwaway dance-instruction song. But in 1960, former chicken plucker Checker covered it at Dick Clark's suggestion. It became so wildly popular that it hit Number One twice, first in '60, then again in '62 -- the only single in history to accomplish that feat. "Going crazy is what I was looking for -- where the music is so good you lose control," Checker said. " 'The Twist' did that."

Appears on: Greatest Hits (Prime Cuts)

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