I like the word “twist.” I like songs with the word “twist” in the title. Twisting is what we do when we dance, when we move, shimmy, shake it like we just don’t care, or dance like nobody’s watching. Herewith, my five favorite “twist” songs.

1) Dire Straits, Twisting by the Pool
Catchier than the measles and with the Happiest Guitar Solo in the World.

2) White Stripes, Denial Twist
I love the simplicity of this song. Just Jack White banging on the piano and Meg White icky-thumping away. There isn’t much of a melody, but what’s there is cherce.

3) Blues Brothers/Ray Charles, Twist It (Shake Your Tail Feather)
There’s something about that Ray Charles “aaaahhhhHHHHH!” that can send a sensible person through the roof. The video from the film has the added attraction of the good people of Chicago doing all the big 60s dances (including some freaking cute little kids).

4) Chubby Checker, Let\'s Twist Again
Why do I like the Obviously-Made-To-Cash-In-On-The-Success-Of-The-Original-Song better than the original “Twist?” Not sure. I wasn’t born/conscious when either song came out, but The Twist just feels like a novelty dance song. Let’s Twist Again bears the slightly hint of nostalgia. Chubby is chubbier and trying to revive the magic of last summer. Who hasn’t been there?

5) The Beatles, Twist and Shout
Because it’s the fucking Beatles, and that should be reason enough.

Honorable mention: This crazy mash-up of The Twist and All the Single Ladies