(Let's Dance) The Screw by The Crystals

Album: not released (1963)

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This song, written by Phil Spector, who also "sings" what passes for the chorus ("Dance the screw"), was never released, or even intended for release. In fact, only a handful of copies of the single were ever pressed. It was meant merely as a parting shot at Spector's former business partner Lester Sill. The two co-owners of Philles Records had recently had a falling-out, culminating in Sill selling his stake in the label to Spector just to be rid of him.
Despite never having been released, "The Screw" and the story surrounding it still passed into rock and roll legend. A longstanding misconception is that the song was meant by Spector to cheat Sill out of royalties owed him per the terms of their settlement. This myth, and the complete, sordid history of this song, is explored on the Snopes urban legends site.
"The Screw" and the legend surrounding it even has echoes in two later songs. In 1970 the Rolling Stones recorded a song called "Schoolboy Blues" with blatantly obscene lyrics to render it unreleaseable, in order to complete their contract with Decca Records (much like the legend surrounding "The Screw"). Then in 1975, Queen's Freddie Mercury wrote "Death On Two Legs" (which was released) as a "Screw"-like parting shot at their estranged former manager. >>
Suggestion credit:
Joshua - Twin Cities, MN, for all above

Comments: 6

AnonymousI bought a huge collection of Spector items about 20 years ago which includes one of the few Ike and Tinas River deep mountain high lps on the red and yellow Philles...three let's dance the screw 45s...2 promos and the only known white label stock copy..blue vinyl righteous brothers 45...sealed and promo copies of all but one of his lps..signed letters..special dj lp he sent to his few favorite radio stations with a signed thank you....a legit promo with have a descriptive message in the trail off....if Audiopimp has a legit promo...hold on to it as he is right about the few made..
The Audiopimp from New Hope, Pa, UsaI have collected Phil Spector rarities since the late 1970s- and own one of the handful of existing promo copies of this record. A legit copy will state D.J. Copy Not For Sale as part of the regular label print (No rubber stamps). Any copies without this designation are counterfeit blue/black "Stock copies" or the same where the blue has faded to near white over the years. I have heard a rumor of a single genuine stock copy existing but have seen no documentation of this- it wouldn't make sense anyway. Also, I had heard that it was not Phil doing the intro- but rather it was his lawyer. Guess we'll never really know. If you want a copy just look on ebay- the bootleg stock copies turn up there often in the $50.00 USD range
Bill Spectacle from BedlamI feel comfortable in saying that I have recorded the one and only remake/cover version of this 'song'. https://youtu.be/buafpmKEVAo
Ronny from Melbourne, AustraliaThe lyrics to this song are not accurate! Because it is such a rare song it would be hard to verify, but check out http://youtube.com/watch?v=CA4bw7tIPNs for a recording of the song. The lyrics are not obscene, and quite innocuous.
Rick from Columbus, GaThis is maybe the best Spector song ever. It's way beyond its time, and no wonder it was never released. It's obscene, really.
Teresa from Mechelen, Belgium"Let's dance the screw", even if everything written above is true it's surely a very good song, after all it's Phil Spector.

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