"Move It"is a song written byIan Samwelland recorded byCliff Richardand the Drifters (the English band that would later becomethe Shadows). Originally intended as theB-sideto "Schoolboy Crush", it was released as Richard's debutsingleon 29 August 1958 and became his first hit record, reaching number 2 on theUK Singles Chart.It is often described as Britain's first authenticrock and rollsong. It is credited with being one of the first authenticrock and rollsongs produced outside theUnited States.[1][2] "Schoolboy Crush", written byAaron Schroederand Sharon Gilbert, had already been recorded in the US byBobby Helms.Cliff Richard and the Drifters recorded their own version, which was intended to be the A-side of their debut single. However, when producerJack Goodheard "Move It", he insisted that Richard would have to sing that if he was to appear on Good's TV showOh Boy!On the planned single, "Move It" was flipped to be the A-side and it went to number 2 in the charts, starting Cliff Richard on a career which included British hits through six decades.[1]
| "Move It" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyCliff Richardand the Drifters | ||||
| B-side | "Schoolboy Crush" | |||
| Released | 29 August 1958 | |||
| Recorded | 24 July 1958 | |||
| Studio | EMI,London | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Length | 2:23 | |||
| Label | Columbia45-DB4178/78-DB4178 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Ian Samwell(A-side) Aaron Schroeder, Sharon Gilbert(B-side) | |||
| Producer(s) | Norrie Paramor | |||
| Cliff Richardand the Drifters singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 Cover of 1982 reissue | ||||
Described byAllMusicas "Presley-esque"and by Richard himself as" my one outstanding rock 'n' roll classic "," Move It "was written on the top deck of aGreen Linebus by the Drifters' guitaristIan "Sammy" Samwellwhile making the trip to Cliff's house for a band rehearsal.[2]The song's lyrics were a riposte to a 1958 article bySteve Racepublished inMelody Makerwhich stated: "So rock’n’roll is dead, is it? My funeral oration consists of just two words: good riddance".[3]Samwell did not complete the second verse, so on the record Cliff sang the first verse twice. Samwell finally finished the second verse in 1995 and sent it toHank Marvinwho included "Move It" on his albumHank plays Cliff,with Cliff Richard having recorded a new vocal track which included the new verse. The new version was debuted live at aRoyal Variety Performancein front ofQueen Elizabeth IIthat year. Since then, Richard has continued to perform the song with the additional verse.[2]
Influence
editThe Beatles,in an out-take onThe Get Back Journals,were recorded playing "Move It" in medley with "Good Rockin' Tonight".[4][5]John Lennonwas separately quoted as saying, "I think the first English record that was anywhere near anything was 'Move It' by Cliff Richard, and before that there'd been nothing."[6]
Led Zeppelinincluded Richard's original version of the song on a 2010 compilation put together by them, titledLed Zeppelin: The Music that Rocked Us.[7]
1958 original recording
editPersonnel
editCliff 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 vocalson "Schoolboy Crush"
2006 version
edit| "Move It" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover of 7 "vinyl edition of single | ||||
| SinglebyCliff RichardfeaturingBrian MayandBrian Bennett | ||||
| A-side | "21st Century Christmas" | |||
| Released | 11 December 2006 | |||
| Recorded | 2006 | |||
| Studio | Abbey Road Studio 2,London | |||
| Genre | Rock and roll | |||
| Label | EMI 00946 379931 2 5 (CD single) CLIFFX 217 (7 "vinyl) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Ian Samwell | |||
| Producer(s) | Brian MayandBrian Bennett | |||
| Cliff RichardfeaturingBrian MayandBrian Bennettsingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
In 2006, Richard re-recorded "Move It" withBrian MayofQueenon guitar andBrian BennettofThe Shadowson drums. The track was released as the second track on adouble A-sideCD single alongside "21st Century Christmas".[8]The single peaked on debut at no. 2 on theUK Singles Chartin December. A limited edition 7 "vinyl single was also released with" Move It "as theA-side.The track was included on Richard's 2006 duets albumTwo's Company.
Other re-recordings
editRichard has re-recorded the song numerous times, both in the studio and during stage performances. The re-recordings appear on the following albums:
Studio albums
edit- 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)
- Two's Company(2006)
- Reunited – Cliff Richard and The Shadows(50th anniversary album, 2009)
- Just... Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll(2016)
Live albums
edit- Cliff(debut album, 1959)
- Thank You Very Much(1979)
- From a Distance: The Event(1990)
- Party at the Palace(various artists album, 2002) Richard performed withS Club 7and Brian May (on lead guitar) for theGolden Jubilee of Elizabeth II,2002.
- The World Tour(2004)
Live recordings on singles
editReferences
edit- ^abSold on Song Top 100at bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
- ^abc"The Ian" Sammy "Samwell Story"Archived12 December 2007 at theWayback Machineat iansamwell. Retrieved on 18 November 2007.
- ^"The 2i's and the birth of British rock".Record Collector.5 October 2007.Retrieved7 September2021.
- ^"The Get Back Journals - The Beatles".AllMusic.Retrieved28 August2017.
- ^"Move It/Good Rockin' Tonight - The Beatles".YouTube.Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.Retrieved28 August2017.
- ^Massey, Howard (1 October 2015).The Great British Recording Studios.Hal Leonard Corporation.ISBN978-1-4950-3533-3.Retrieved20 January2024.
- ^"The Music that Rocked Us (Led Zeppelin album)".AllMusic.Retrieved28 August2017.
- ^"Cliff Richard With Brian May And Brian Bennett -".45cat.Retrieved27 April2021.
- ^Cliff Richard (1993).Human Work of Art(CD single) (CD1 ed.). UK:EMI Records.
- ^Cliff Richard (1999).The Miracle(CD single) (CD2 ed.). UK:EMI Records.