About The Song
When it comes to the timeless classics of soul, few songs can claim the same level of impact, influence, and staying power as “Shout” by The Isley Brothers. Released in 1959, “Shout” is not just a song—it’s an enduring piece of music history. With its infectious energy, call-and-response format, and unrestrained celebration of joy, “Shout” has transcended generations to become an iconic anthem of celebration and communal joy.
The Birth of an Anthem
The Isley Brothers, an Ohio-based band formed by siblings Ronald, Rudolph, O’Kelly, and later Ernie, Marvin, and Chris Jasper, became one of the most influential and longest-running acts in music. Although the group had a range of hits spanning several decades and genres—from R&B to funk to rock—“Shout” was the song that initially catapulted them into stardom. This song emerged in a time when rock and roll and rhythm and blues were making their mark on mainstream culture, with artists like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley capturing the public’s imagination. However, unlike many songs from that era, which tended to last only a few minutes, “Shout” broke the mold with its raw and improvisational spirit, evolving through stages of intensity.
Written by the three founding Isley Brothers and initially released as a B-side to their single “When the Saints Go Marching In,” the song quickly took on a life of its own. From its explosive introduction to its gospel-inspired, repetitive chants, “Shout” is a musical experience that’s both simple and powerful—a testament to how simplicity can translate to universality. The song’s success led to its place on the Billboard Hot 100, and over the years, it has been featured in countless movies, commercials, and celebrations, further solidifying its place in pop culture.
The Song’s Structure and Musical Style
“Shout” defies conventional song structure. Rather than adhering to a typical verse-chorus-verse pattern, it unfolds almost like a church revival, starting with a quiet, controlled call-and-response and then building up to an ecstatic crescendo. The song features callouts by Ronald Isley to the crowd, encouraging them to “shout” and interact with the performance—a technique that broke down the boundaries between performer and audience. This participatory element allowed audiences to feel like part of the performance, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of a church sermon or community gathering than a traditional song.
Musically, “Shout” is anchored by a steady, danceable beat, infused with the energy and liveliness that characterized early rock and roll. The guitar riffs and piano lines are simple yet effective, emphasizing rhythm over complexity. This straightforwardness allows the vocals to take center stage. Ronald Isley’s powerful, soulful voice leads the song, supported by harmonies from his brothers, in a way that feels almost improvisational. The chants of “A little bit softer now” followed by “A little bit louder now” are dynamic, bringing an emotional ebb and flow that climaxes in an explosive ending, leaving listeners and dancers breathless.
Cultural Impact and Influence
Since its release, “Shout” has resonated across cultures, generations, and genres. In fact, the song has inspired countless covers and remakes, from artists as diverse as The Beatles, Otis Day and the Knights (whose rendition in the 1978 movie Animal House helped reintroduce the song to a new generation), and even Bruce Springsteen. Each cover brings its own interpretation, yet the core energy and joy of “Shout” remain intact.
A significant part of the song’s cultural impact lies in its appeal at celebrations and gatherings. It’s a staple at weddings, parties, and sports events, where it encourages people to let loose, dance, and sing along. The song’s universal appeal makes it a unifier across generations; everyone from young children to grandparents can appreciate the energy and simplicity of the song’s message. It’s almost impossible to hear “Shout” without feeling the urge to get up and move.
In the landscape of music, “Shout” is also recognized as a forerunner of many musical genres that emphasize audience interaction, spontaneity, and emotional intensity. Gospel, soul, funk, and even some forms of rock have drawn from “Shout”‘s structure and style. The Isley Brothers themselves went on to influence major musical acts like Jimi Hendrix (who even played guitar with the band early in his career), as well as bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, who would adopt and adapt aspects of soul music into their rock repertoire.
Legacy and Enduring Popularity
What is it that makes “Shout” so enduringly popular? Part of the answer lies in its unfiltered exuberance. In a world where songs can sometimes feel over-produced or formulaic, “Shout” feels spontaneous, raw, and alive. The song’s improvisational quality gives it a timeless edge; every performance or rendition of “Shout” feels a little bit different, breathing new life into it each time it’s played.
The Isley Brothers’ career has spanned more than six decades, with “Shout” remaining one of their most beloved and enduring contributions to music. While the group would later delve into other genres, including funk and even hip-hop, “Shout” encapsulates a spirit that would permeate their music throughout the years. In 1999, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a well-deserved recognition of its significance in the history of music.
“Shout” has also left its mark in movies, television, and popular culture. One of the most iconic uses of the song is in the movie Animal House, where the song is performed in a raucous frat-house party scene. This moment forever associated “Shout” with uninhibited celebration and fun, making it a go-to choice for any cinematic moment that demands exuberance. The song has since appeared in numerous commercials, TV shows, and sporting events, cementing its role as a cultural mainstay.
Conclusion: Why “Shout” Still Matters
“Shout” by The Isley Brothers is more than just a song; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Over sixty years since its release, the song continues to inspire joy, camaraderie, and spontaneity in audiences all over the world. Its appeal cuts across racial, generational, and cultural lines, providing a common musical thread that people from all walks of life can appreciate. This isn’t just a product of nostalgia, either—“Shout” has a timeless quality that makes it feel just as fresh today as it did in 1959.
For The Isley Brothers, “Shout” represented the beginning of a long and illustrious career, but for the world, it’s an open invitation to join in the dance, sing along, and, of course, shout. It’s a reminder of the simple power of music to bring people together, to lift spirits, and to celebrate the pure, unadulterated joy of being alive.
Video
Lyrics
“Shout”
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Well
You know you make me wanna (Shout)
Kick my heels up and (Shout)
Throw my hands up and (Shout)
Throw my head back and (Shout)
Come on now (Shout)
Don’t forget to say you will
Don’t forget to say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Say you will)
Say it right now, baby
(Say you will)
Come on, come on
(Say you will)
Say that you
(Say you will)
Come on now
(Say) Say that you love me
(Say) Say that you need me
(Say) Say that you want me
(Say) You wanna please me
(Say) Come on now
(Say) Come on now
(Say) Come on now
(Say) I still remember
(Shooby-doo-wop-do-wop-wop-wop-wop)
When you used to be 9 years old
(Shooby-doo-wop-do-wop-wop-wop-wop)
Yeah, yeah
I was a fool for you, from the bottom of my soul, yeah
(Shooby-doo-wop-do-wop-wop-wop-wop)
Now that you’ve grown up
(Shooby-doo-wop-do-wop-wop-wop-wop)
Grown enough to know, yeah, yeah
(Shooby-doo-wop-do-wop-wop-wop-wop)
You wanna leave me, you wanna let me go
(Shooby-doo-wop-do-wop)
I want you to know
I said, I want you to know right now, yeah
You been good to me baby
Better than I been to myself, hey, hey
And if you ever leave me
I don’t want nobody else, hey, hey
I said I want you to know, hey
I said I want you to know right now, hey, hey
You know you make me wanna
(Shout, whoo) Hey, yeah
(Shout, whoo) Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Shout, whoo) All right
(Shout, whoo) All right
(Shout, whoo) Come on now
(Shout) Come on now
(Shout) Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Shout) Yeah, yeah, yeah (Good sound)
(Shout) Yeah, yeah, yeah (Good sound)
(Shout) Yeah, yeah, yeah (Good sound)
(Shout) All right (Good sound)
(Shout) All right (Good sound)
(Shout) All right (Good sound)
(Shout) All right
Now wait a minute
I feel all right (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Ooh)
Now that I got my woman
I feel all right (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Every time I think about you
You been so good to me
You know you make me wanna
(Shout, whoo) Lift my heels up and
(Shout, whoo) Throw my head back and
(Shout, whoo) Kick my heels up and
(Shout, whoo) Come on now
(Shout, whoo) Take it easy
(Shout, whoo) Take it easy
(Shout, whoo) Take it easy (Higher)
(Shout) A little bit softer now (Whoo)
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit softer now
(Shout) A little bit louder now
(Shout) A little bit louder now
(Shout) A little bit louder now (Ooh)
(Shout) A little bit louder now
(Shout) A little bit louder now
(Shout) A little bit louder now
(Shout) A little bit louder now (Whoo)
(Shout) A little bit louder now (Whoo)
(Shout) A little bit louder now (Whoo)
(Shout) A little bit louder now (Whoo)
(Shout) A little bit louder now (Whoo)
(Shout) A little bit louder now
(Shout)
Hey, hey, hey, hey
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
Hey, hey, hey, hey
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
Hey, hey, hey, hey
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
Hey, hey, hey, hey
(Hey, hey, hey, hey)
Jump now
Jump up and shout now (Whoo)
Jump up and shout now (Whoo)
Jump up and shout now (Whoo)
Jump up and shout now (Whoo)
Jump up and shout now (Whoo)
Everybody shout now
Everybody shout now
Everybody, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout, shout (Oh, whoa, yeah)
Shout, shout, shout, shout (Oh, yeah)
Shout, shout, shout, shout
Everybody shout now (Ooh)
Jump up and shout now
Shout, shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout, shout
Shout, shout, shout, shout
(Shout)