The original version was written and recorded by Bobby Freeman, and it was called "Do You Want to Dance." Released in 1958, it reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the Billboard R&B singles chart, and #1 on the Canadian pop chart. It's a great early rock and roll song, with a shuffle beat that just makes you want to do the jitterbug or the bunny hop, or whatever those crazy kids were doing back then. Jerry Garcia is rumored to have played guitar on the original, but that doesn't appear to be substantiated. The original was also featured in the 1973 coming-of-age classic film American Graffiti.
Over the years, the song has been covered by various artists, many of whom have had pretty decent success with it. In 1962, Cliff Richard and The Shadows' version of the song went to #10 on the UK pop chart, #1 in The Netherlands and Sweden, and into the Top 10 on a couple other European charts. In 1963, Del Shannon's version went to #43 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1965, the Beach Boys recorded a fantastic cover (and my personal favorite version of the song), renaming it "Do You Wanna Dance?" It ended up being the highest-charting Beach Boys song on which Dennis Wilson sang lead vocals, reaching #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then in 1972, Bette Midler released a slowed-down cover, which went to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. On top of that, the song has been covered Rock and Roll Hall of Famers John Lennon, Neil Young, and The Mamas & The Papas.
But the cover version we're highlighting today is The Ramones' version of the song, which was released on their third studio album, 1977's Rocket to Russia. Their version was also included in the 1979 cult classic Rock 'n' Roll High School, which heavily featured the band. The Ramones' cover reflected their love of '50s rock, and they gave the song The Ramones treatment, infusing it with punk energy in an economical 1:55. The song would be the band's third and final single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #86.
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