Cool Jerk

"Cool Jerk" is a 1966 rhythm and blues^[1] song written by Donald Storball and originally performed by the Capitols. It became a hit song in the United States and Canada.

"Cool Jerk"
A-side label of US vinyl release
Single by The Capitols
from the album Dance the Cool Jerk
B-side	"Hello Stranger"
Released	1966
Genre	Rhythm and blues
Length	2:45
Label	Karen Records
Songwriter(s)	Donald Storball
Producer(s)	Ollie McLaughlin
The Capitols singles chronology
"Dog and Cat" (1963) "Cool Jerk" (1966) "Zig Zaggin" (1966)

Original version

Released in 1966, it reached No. 2 on the American Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100^[2] and No. 9 on the Canadian Singles Chart.^[3] The session was arranged by Funk Brother Mike Terry, as the Funk Brothers, Motown's house band, played behind the Capitols on the track.^[4]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1966) Peak position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[3] 9 US Billboard Hot 100[2] 7 US Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles[2] 2 US Cash Box[5] 5 US Record World[6] 4

Year-end charts Chart (1966) Position US Billboard Hot 100[7] 36 US Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles[8] 2 US Cash Box[9] 23

The Go-Go's version

The Go-Go's covered the song for their 1982 album Vacation and later re-recorded it for their 1990 album Greatest. A demo that pre-dates their Vacation recording was released on their 1994 compilation Return to the Valley of The Go-Go's.

"Cool Jerk"
Single by The Go-Go's
from the album Vacation
Released	1991
Length	2:53 3:07 (Version from Greatest)
Label	I.R.S. 75021 7439 2
Songwriter(s)	Donald Storball
Producer(s)	David Z
The Go-Go's singles chronology
"Yes or No" (1984) "Cool Jerk" (1991) "The Whole World Lost Its Head" (1994)

Chart (1991)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[10]	60

See also

• List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States