Clay Aiken tweeted Friday morning. Did you see it?
Changes – Single by Chubby Checker – Just heard this on the radio! THAT’S a LEGEND! 70 years old and still got it! itun.es/us/2NKXJ
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) June 7, 2013
Well, first I re-tweeted Clays tweet. It took all of 30 seconds and I know that re-tweet numbers are important.
But…then I slowed down and thought for a moment…Chubby Checker? …the twist guy? Why would I want to listen to him? However, I have learned that there is seldom a tweet from Clay that doesn’t lead me to opening my mind. So…off to iTunes. I listened to Chubby Checker’s new recording entitled “Changes.”
At first I thought maybe it was someone else singing the song. It was quite different from anything I’d heard Chubby Checker sing before.
But I quickly learned that the man who, back in the summer of 1960, created a dance craze with his hit song, The Twist, was performing “Changes”. Who knew that the man who had us all twisting the night away could sing this beautiful ballad?
Chubby Checker was born on October 3, 1941 in South Carolina. From biography.com:
“As a dance movement, “The Twist” revolutionized popular culture by giving couples the freedom to break apart on the dance floor. An appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand launched Checker’s version of “The Twist” to the No. 1 billboard spot in August 1961, where it remained on the charts for 18 straight weeks. In November of that year, it re-entered the charts again for a record-breaking 21 weeks. With this formidable achievement, “The Twist” became the first and only 45 single to ever appear in the No. 1 spot in two different years.”
Cindi Sansone is an inspirational blogger. She said:
“After hearing this song, most people seem to say, “It’s not what I would have expected from him.” And, yet, they are pleasantly surprised by the depth and maturity of the lyrics, and totally blown away by the sultry, I’ve been around the block a few times tone, in his still youthful sounding voice.
Chubby Checker knows, “the times they are a-changin,’” and we, too, must change along with them, or become in this digital age, a dinosaur sure to fall into extinction.”
There’ll be some changes
They’re long overdue
There’ll be some changes
Of what I’d need to do
There’ll be some changes, some changes.. in my life
Yeah, yeah, in my life
~
Summer 2013 will be here in 13 days. Maybe it’s time for Chubby Checker to have another summer hit. Please take a few minutes to listen to Chubby Checker’s new song. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
So…thank you, Clay Aiken, for suggesting I listen to “Changes”. What a surprising twist. Besides listening to a lovely song, I was reminded of two important things:
- You are never too old to re-invent yourself!
- You’re never too old to put wow back in your life!
Sounds like it could be a Clay Aiken song. Great!!
I was blown away when I finally sat down and listened to Chubby's song Changes. Someone posted the words to the song so it's always nice to read them while listening. GREAT song! I am so glad Clay made us aware of it. Thanks Clay!!! I did download it and I plan on putting it on a CD so I can hear it in the car!
Love this song sung by Chubby Checker, he's still a great singer, thank you clay for informing us about this, I love it! xox
I also listened to Changes from Chubby Checker. Could not believe it was him at first. Very nice song! I agree, you are never to old to re-invent yourself.
Wonderful song! I'm sure Clay loved it too, but I also suspect he's sending us a message that there are going to be changes in his career direction. Fine with me! Bring it on, Clay! We'll love anything you choose to do.
what a lovley song from chubby check thanks clay for informing me about this new song from the man who sang lets do the twist chubby checker i have a feeling that cubby check might have to indore some changes in his carear direction and i sure do agre that your never to old to reinvent your self
I loved the song. Thanks for sending the song.
Somehow I think that no matter how fascinated Clay is about how wonderful it is that Chubby Checker, at age 70, can sing this song – it is not the only reason it has left an impression on him. Could be that Clay personally relates to a lot of the lyrics as they might pertain to his life.
No matter – it is a good song, with a nice catchy melody, great lyrics and an honest to goodness pleasant voiced singer. Thanks to Clay for pointing it out, and to you musicfan for sharing it.
What I want to know is why this world is so judgmental of anyone besides theirselves?? Is it the first thing we do is see the outward appearance of people, especially entertainers, and say oh he is old, he can't sing in today's world and still have Fans that even care about him or his voice no matter what the song!!?? I really don't understand all of this Closed mind thinking!!!
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT NEED TO WALK IN THE OTHER PERSON'S SHOES!!! LOVE YOU CLAY!!!
ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!
musicinmyheartisclay
I think you might have misunderstood what I was saying. I was not judging Chubby Checker for his age and I doubt that Clay was either.
Back in the day, I NEVER listened to him because I thought the music was bad…just not my style. Now, many years later, he is singing in an entirely new way and I am surprised and happy to hear it. All it did was to remind this "old lady" that there is something new around every corner, whatever your age.
I hope Clay tweets again about new music he discovers since I listen to music a lot and enjoy hearing good new stuff.
Thank you Musicfan! sorry that someone had grumpy tea today. It is wonderful that 40 yrs after the Twist Chubby( can we still call him that?) has another hit song. Did you know that The Twist was a cover?I always look forward to your posts.
I listened to the song and really loved it! Thanks to Clay for recommending it and thanks to you for letting us know about Clay's tweet.
I don’t like this song……I LOVE this song!! Chubby Checker’s voice is still strong! my Mother use to tell me that Chubby was one of her favorite singers when she was in her early twenties, and how much fun it was dancing to his music, and of course doing the twist. But this song has a rich, vibrant sound…nothing teeny bobbish about it. Maybe Clay just appreciates the fact that someone in their 70’s is still able to sing and make such incredible music. Let’s face it..When you got “IT” you got “It!!”
Way back in the early 1960's I went up to Long Island, NY to visit the World's Fair (remember them?). Came down from my room for breakfast in the hotel restaurant and who should be sitting in the next booth but Chubby Checker! We were so excited to actually see the guy who sang what we had been dancing to…The Twist!