Garage Rock

The song was written by Allen A. Jones and Willie David and first recorded by The Avantis in 1963. However, the cover of it by The Gentrys in 1965 went to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Cashbox. The Bay City Rollers also covered the song in 1971. The song is actually one short recording, a false fade, and a repeat of the first part. This was done to have it conform with the timing of songs for AM radio.

The Gentrys were a rock band that formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1963. They started by playing for local dances an high school functions. “Keep on Dancing” was a million-seller and allowed them to appear on Hullabaloo, Shindig! , and tour with groups, including The Beach Boys and Sonny and Cher. There have been changes in lineup over the years, but the original group was Bruce Bowles (vocals), Bobby Fisher (saxophone, keyboards), Jimmy Hart (vocals), Jimmy Johnson (trumpet), Pat Neal (bass guitar), Larry Raspberry (guitar, vocals) and drummer Larry Wall (replaced by Rob Straube), and Larry Butler (keyboards). The lead vocals on “Keep on Dancing” were by Raspberry.

Here are the lyrics to “Keep on Dancing” by The Gentrys:

“I keep on dancin’ (keep on)
Keep on doin’ the jerk right now
Shake it, shake it, baby
Come on & show me how you work

Yellin’ in motion
Keep on doin’ the locomotion, yeah
Don’t worry, little babe
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, yes!

Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)
Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)
Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)

I keep on dancin’ (keep on)
Keep on doin’ the jerk
Shake it, shake it, baby
Come on & show me how you work

Yellin’ in motion
Keep on doin’ the locomotion, yeah
Don’t worry, little babe
Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, yes!

Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)
Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)
Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)

I keep on dancin’ (keep on)
Keep on doin’ the jerk right now
Shake it, shake it, baby
Come on & show me how you work

Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)
Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)
Keep on dancin’ & a-prancin’ (ah)”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Keep on Dancing” by The Gentrys.