"Shout" was improvised by the Isley Brothers at a concert in 1958 when lead singer Ronald saw that the crowd wanted him to extend the closing number. They recorded and released it in 1959 -- not unlike the story of Ray Charles's "What'd I Say," also released in 1959 -- and it has been covered by dozens of acts, and played at thousands of weddings and parties, ever since. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked "Shout" number 119 in the 500 greatest songs of all time.
There isn't much variation, but I think that's kinda the point.
Sorry about the poor sound quality on this clip; you will probably want to turn up the volume:
Music begins at 0:52
UPDATE: This was Lulu's first hit in the UK (I don't think it charted in the US). Two years later, she released "To Sir with Love," which was the US record of the year. (h/t Cory Franklin)
Music begins at 0:33
DeWayne Jessie lip syncing a vocal by Lloyd G. Williams:
Music begins at about 1:00
And of course, the follow-up in 1962 (not written by the Isleys, originally released by the Top Notes, but did not chart):
The Top Notes original recording is the only version that doesn't cover the Isleys'
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