Move It
| "Move It" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Cliff Richard and the Drifters | ||||
| B-side | "Schoolboy Crush" | |||
| Released | 29 August 1958 | |||
| Format | 7" single, 78 rpm disc | |||
| Recorded | 24 July 1958, EMI Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Length |
2:23 (A-side) 2:32 (B-side) | |||
| Label | Columbia 45-DB4178/78-DB4178 | |||
| Writer(s) |
Ian Samwell (A-side) Aaron Schroeder, Sharon Gilbert (B-side) | |||
| Producer(s) | Norrie Paramor | |||
| Cliff Richard and the Drifters singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| "Move It" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Cliff Richard featuring Brian May and Brian Bennett | ||||
| A-side | "21st Century Christmas" | |||
| Released | 11 December 2006 | |||
| Format | CD Single, 7" single | |||
| Recorded | 2006, Abbey Road Studio 2, London | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Label |
EMI 00946 379931 2 5 (CD Single) CLIFFX 217 (7" vinyl) | |||
| Writer(s) | Ian Samwell | |||
| Producer(s) | Brian May and Brian Bennett | |||
| Cliff Richard featuring Brian May and Brian Bennett singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Move It" is a song written by Ian Samwell and 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 29 August 1958 and became his first hit record, reaching no.2 on the UK singles chart. 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 the US 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. His first no.1 record was "Living Doll" in 1959.[1]
Described by Allmusic 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. 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]
Influence
Led Zeppelin included Richard's original version of the song on a 2010 compilation put together by them, titled Led Zeppelin - The Music that Rocked Us.
1958 Original Recording
Personnel
Cliff Richard and the Drifters:
- Cliff Richard – vocals
- Ian Samwell – rhythm guitar
- Terry Smart – drums
Session musicians:
- Ernie Shear – lead guitar
- Frank Clarke – upright bass
- Mike Sammes Singers – backing vocals on "Schoolboy Crush"
2006 Version
In 2006 Richard re-recorded "Move It" with Brian May of Queen on guitar and Brian Bennett of The Shadows on drums. The track was released as the second track on a double A-side CD single alongside "21st Century Christmas". The single peaked on debut at no. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in December. A limited edition 7" vinyl single was also released with "Move It" as the A-Side. The track was included on Richard's 2006 duets album Two's Company.
Other Re-recordings
As Richard's debut single and first major hit record in the UK, "Move It" has grown in prominence over Richard's career. Richard has rerecorded the song numerous times in both the studio and live, appearing on the following albums:
Studio Albums
- Don't Stop Me Now (1967)
- Rock 'n' Roll Silver (25th anniversary album, 1983)
- Hank plays Cliff (Hank Marvin album with Richard as guest vocals, 1995)
- Cliff performed it at The 2002 Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II at Party at the Palace alongside S Club 7 and Brian May on lead guitar. The recording was later included a Live CD and DVD of the concert.
- Two's Company (2006)
- Reunited – Cliff Richard and The Shadows (50th anniversary album, 2009)
Live Albums
- Cliff (debut album, 1959)
- Thank You Very Much (1979)
- From a Distance - The Event (1990)
- The World Tour (2004)
Cover versions
- Suzi Quatro covered the song on her 1974 album Quatro.
- Alvin Stardust released a cover of the song as a single in 1975; it was included on his 1975 album Rock with Alvin.
- The 99ers released a cover of the song on their 2012 album Move It
References
- 1 2 Sold on Song Top 100 at bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
- 1 2 "The Ian "Sammy" Samwell Story" at iansamwell.com. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
External links
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
