HISTORIC REVEAL: “Twist and Shout” Returns to the US Charts Decades Later Thanks to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
More than twenty-five years after its original release, The Beatles’ explosive classic “Twist and Shout” made an extraordinary return to the US singles chart, proving once again that true rock anthems never fade. The unlikely resurgence was sparked by its unforgettable inclusion in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, in which Matthew Broderick’s rooftop parade performance etched the song into pop culture history for a new generation.
Originally released in 1963 on the album Please Please Me, “Twist and Shout” had long been celebrated for its raw energy and John Lennon’s famously shredded vocals. But its reappearance decades later reaffirmed the track’s timeless vitality, turning moviegoers into instant fans and sending record sales soaring. For many younger listeners, it was their first real encounter with The Beatles’ early sound — raw, infectious, and brimming with unfiltered joy.
Critics and historians noted that the song’s chart revival demonstrated not only the enduring appeal of The Beatles’ music, but also the unique power of film to revive and reintroduce classics to entirely new audiences. Much like the band’s influence itself, “Twist and Shout” refused to remain a relic of the past. Instead, it proved itself an anthem capable of spanning generations, cultures, and decades.
Today, that rooftop scene remains iconic, and with it, the reminder that when The Beatles sang “Shake it up, baby,” they weren’t just talking about the 1960s — they were igniting something eternal.