SSG2 - week 17 / 18?  Oliver Twist - Sunday Songwriters Group https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:53:46 +0000 wpForo 60 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18?  Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56953 Wed, 10 Mar 2004 10:58:27 +0000
Just one thing bugs me.  What happened after the final chorus.  Did Ollie get expelled?  Or did the teacher teach him a new twist on things? Love the play on words.]]> Sunday Songwriters Group MikeO https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56953 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18? Â Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56952 Sat, 06 Mar 2004 01:04:47 +0000
I do understand the whole 'Twist' thing, although I might not have been there to witness it. Reading the song again, I have to say its grown on me. I still don't like the idea of so much repetition in the chorus, but I understand that's just part of the style the song is written in.]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56952 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18?  Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56951 Fri, 05 Mar 2004 23:24:11 +0000
I checked your profile, but there's nothing there about what part of the world you're in, or an approximate age.  So by way of explanation, I may be saying some things that you already know, or things that seem obvious.

Back in the late 50s and early 60s, there was a dance in the US and probably other places as well called the "Twist"  It was very popular amongst teens and chiropracters.  Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, et al. were also popular at the time.  And in the music of that era, it was really common to construct a chorus with nothing but repetition.  I agree with you, it doesn't strike me as being especially meaningful, but it was usually quite catchy.  The chorus to "Johnny B. Goode" is very little more than "Go, go johnny go go" repeated with slight alterations many times, and ending with "Johnny B. Goode".  So if you're not familiar with that era / style, this song wouldn't make much sense at all.  It was just a play on words.  Oliver is the character in the song, Twist is what he's doing.

It is very different from what I usually try to write.  But anyways, I'm grateful that you took the time to read it and respond.  Thank you.

-- Scratch]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56951 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18? Â Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56950 Fri, 05 Mar 2004 22:24:00 +0000
I dont know what it is about the song, but I dont like it. I think it's funny, but not that doesnt mean good. I like the fact that you take a character that has nothing funny about him (specially the musical, I just want to slap that stupid wee boy) and make a funny song. I dont know if the song isnt good, but its different from what you usually see and I suppose I just cant see a reason to like it. Theres nothing wrong with the verses, I think its the chorus. To me a chorus has to be something more than just four very similar lines. Its not a bad song, I just cant get my stupid wee brain to like it.  :-/]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56950 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18?  Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56949 Wed, 03 Mar 2004 23:22:26 +0000
"Ollie resist" hit me as something you'd yell at a dog

You're right, but The first version was "desist"   Anyways, glad you liked it. I still have to go back to the other song and re-rhyme near / near.

-- Scratch
]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56949 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18? Â Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56948 Wed, 03 Mar 2004 21:05:55 +0000
when the teacher looked at him sayin' "Ollie, resist"
the whole class jumped up and shouted "OLIVER TWIST"


"Ollie resist" hit me as something you'd yell at a dog.... don't take that badly I still love this line. It tickles me. Good song Scratch. You did well at conveying the vibe you were going for. I didn't have to read what you wanted it to sound like to have it sound like that in my head.

-Marv]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56948 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18?  Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56947 Wed, 03 Mar 2004 13:20:16 +0000
I just wanted to comment on one of your observations:
.. it seems to me there are no negative comments ever given here.. that's a shame.

You're absolutely right, and yet, there's a fine distinction to be made.  I always try to find a mix of positive / negative comments to make.  Sometimes I'm not that good at it.  I'm always concerned that if I say only positive stuff, the person will think I'm being patronizing. After all, the reason we're doing this is to get better, which means having people point out the weak spots so we can improve them.  Usually, (I think) the negative stuff is offered in the form of suggestions, or ways to improve a piece.  The fact that it can be made better is an implicit negative?... maybe?  Only it's more constructive, and hopefully, more helpful.

Anyways, thanks for your comments.  It's always interesting (in a good way) to read your views.

-- Scratch]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56947 Re: SSG2 - week 17 / 18? Â Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56946 Wed, 03 Mar 2004 12:32:15 +0000
honesty. i think this song illustrates a lovely party without needless discriptions. there are many blanks you can fill in and what comes across in this is childhood (more teenage), fun, and a side to take.. what i mean is.. it's very "come with me i'll show you a good time." i dunno.. hard to describe. i feel an honest emotion is presented here. there are two types of cheesiness. one is boring and over done.. "roses are red, violets are blue.." .. and then there is the forgotten shit.. like a pie in the face.. it takes you back to a time that is truely gone. and it's not lame for the sake of laziness or lack of talent/thought... it's more of a reminder.. i don't know.. i could talk forever.. obviously this isn't deep or to be studied.. but it isn't meant to be.. it is what it seems like it's suppose to be and nothing more or less.. that's what makes it honest and that's makes it good in my eyes.

oh.. and it's not predictable.. it seems to me there are no negative comments ever given here.. that's a shame. i've read many lyrics/poems here that everyone said were great but honestly.. i thought "that's just obviously poor writting." choice of words you use to ryhme. i mean dr. suess writes for kids, and to use a rhyme sceme like "pain" and "vain" is just lazy and insulting.]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-56946 SSG2 - week 17 / 18?  Oliver Twist https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-1779 Wed, 03 Mar 2004 10:46:31 +0000


OLIVER TWIST

I've been working all week, got some bills in my fist
Tomorrow's Saturday night, and at the Foggy Mist,
they're throwing a dance that the kids never miss,
and we might get a chance to see Oliver twist.

Ollie's kinda lanky, sorta skinny and tall,
If he stands sideways you barely see him at all,
But when the band starts playin' he starts movin' his hips
and everybody clears the floor to see Oliver twist.

Oh, Twist, Ollie, twist,
c'mon and Twist, Ollie, twist,
let's see ya Twist, Ollie, twist,
why don't ya Twist, Ollie, twist,
when the band starts playin' he starts movin' his hips
everybody clears the floor to see Oliver twist.

In his last year of high school Ollie got in a jam,
when he was tappin' his foot during the final exam,
when the teacher looked at him sayin' "Ollie, resist"
the whole class jumped up and shouted "OLIVER TWIST"


Oh, Twist, Ollie, twist,
c'mon and Twist, Ollie, twist,
let's see ya Twist, Ollie, twist,
why don't ya Twist, Ollie, twist,
when the band starts playin' he starts movin' his hips
everybody clears the floor to see Oliver twist.]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Anonymous https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg2-week-17-18-oliver-twist/#post-1779