Move It
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| “Move It” | |||||
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| Single by Cliff Richard and the Drifters | |||||
| B-side | "Schoolboy Crush" | ||||
| Released | August 29, 1958 | ||||
| Format | 7" single | ||||
| Recorded | July 24, 1958, Abbey Road | ||||
| Genre | Rock and roll | ||||
| Length | 2:23 (A-side) 2:32 (B-side) |
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| Label | Columbia 45-DB4178 | ||||
| Writer(s) | Ian Samwell (A-side) Aaron Schroeder, Sharon Gilbert (B-side) |
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| Producer | Norrie Paramor | ||||
| Cliff Richard and the Drifters singles chronology | |||||
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"Move It" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard and the Drifters (the UK band that would evolve into The Shadows). Originally intended as the B-side to "Schoolboy Crush", it was released as Richard's debut single on August 29, 1958 and became his first hit record. It is credited with being one of the first authentic rock and roll songs produced outside the United States.[1][2]
"Schoolboy Crush", written by Aaron Schroeder and Sharon Gilbert, had already been recorded in America by Bobby Helms. Cliff Richard and the Drifters recorded their own version, which was intended to be the A-side of their debut single. However "Move It" was heard by producer Jack Good, who insisted that if Richard was to appear on his TV show Oh Boy!, he would have to sing "Move It". The planned single was flipped, and climbed to number 2 in the charts, starting Cliff Richard on a career which included British hits through six decades.[1]
Described by All Music Guide as "Presley-esque" and by Richard himself as "my one outstanding rock 'n' roll classic", "Move It" was written atop a London double-decker bus on the way to a rehearsal at Richard's house by the Drifters guitarist Ian "Sammy" Samwell.[3][4] A second verse was written by Samwell for the Hank Marvin album Hank plays Cliff in 1995, with Cliff Richard once more providing the vocals. The new version was debuted live at a Royal Variety Performance in front of Queen Elizabeth II that year. Since then, Richard has continued to perform the song with the additional verse.[2]
[edit] Personnel
Cliff Richard and the Drifters:
- Cliff Richard – vocals
- Ian Samwell – rhythm guitar
- Terry Smart – drums
Session musicians:
- Ernie Shear – lead guitar
- Frank Clarke – bass guitar
- Mike Sammes Singers – backing vocals on "Schoolboy Crush"
[edit] Other versions
Suzi Quatro covered "Move It" on her 1974 album Quatro. The following year Alvin Stardust released a version on single.
In December 2006 the track was re-recorded by Cliff Richard along with Brian May of Queen, Brian Bennett of The Shadows and bass player Mo Foster, becoming Richard's Christmas release for the year, as part of the double A-side "21st Century Christmas".
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Sold on Song Top 100 at bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
- ^ a b "The Ian "Sammy" Samwell Story" at iansamwell.com. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
- ^ Cliff Richard at allmusic.com. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
- ^ "A Music Legend, and a special man, has moved on" at iansamwell.com. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
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