This is entering the glam rock days but it is a good beaty number.
It was written by Dave Bartholomew and first recorded by Smiley Lewis in 1955, reaching No 2 on the Billboard R&B singles chart, but as far as I can tell not making the main chart.
The same year Gale Storm covered it (I wonder if that was her real name?) and it was a massive hit, going to No 2 in the main chart.
Dave Edmunds (whom I will love for ever as the producer of the Everly Brothers’ wonderful 1985 album Born Yesterday) topped the UK charts over Christmas 1970 with his version. According to Wikipedia he played all the instruments, with the possible exception of the bass.
This is a 1971 mimed performance. Those trousers!
Great stuff, all versions. Dave Edmunds has made a lot of good records both as performer and producer. “Sabre Dance” was a terrific single, even if, as some say, it is the result of studio trickery. I like his late 70s / early 80s run of hot singles too, especially “Girls Talk”.
The clothes they wore in those days were gaudy but a lot more interesting than todays cheap tat fashions. I was a jumble sale enthusiast in the 70s and 80s and used to see piles of those types of clothes, completely unwanted, Would be worth good money now. Look on ebay at the price of original 70s platform shoes, flared trousers or kipper ties.