About the song
“Move It” is a song written by Ian Samwell and recorded by Cliff Richard and the Drifters (the English band that would later become 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 number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. It is
often described as Britain’s first authentic rock and roll song. It is credited with being one of the first authentic rock and roll songs produced outside the United States. 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, when producer Jack Good heard “Move It”, he insisted that Richard would have to sing that if he was to appear on Good’s TV show Oh 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. Described by AllMusic as “Presley-esque” and by Richard himself as “my one outstanding rock ‘n’ roll classic”, “Move It” was written on the top deck of a Green Line bus by the Drifters’ guitarist Ian “Sammy” Samwell while making the trip to Cliff’s house for a band rehearsal. The song’s lyrics were a riposte to a 1958 article by Steve Race published in Melody Maker which stated: “So rock’n’roll is dead, is it? My funeral oration consists of just two words: good riddance”. 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 to Hank Marvin who included “Move It” on his album Hank plays Cliff, with Cliff Richard having recorded a new vocal track which included the new verse. 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.
Video
Lyrics
Come on pretty baby, let’s move it and groove itWell a shake-a baby shake, oh! honey please don’t lose it.It’s rhythm that “gets you” heart and soulLet me tell you baby; it’s called rock an’roll.They say, it’s gonna die: oh! honey bee let’s face it;They just don’t know what’s-a goin’ to replace it.Ballads’ and calypsos’, they’ve got nothing on realCountry music that drives along.Come one honey, move itWell, let’s moveWell, move itThe new second verse:Come on pretty baby let’s move it an’ a groove itDance honey dance baby please don’t lose it’cause’ all over town there’s a brand new beatAn’ it’s hangin’ in the air like the mississippi heatFireflies in the night an’ bullfrogs croakin’Well here comes the train an’ boy is she smokin’Headed out from new orleans ‘n’ clear to l.a.Ya’ better get ready it’s a brand new dayHoney move it