The Best Of Little Richard: Rip It Up – A Rock & Roll Joyride That Still Kicks Butt
Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re looking for an album that screams (and I mean screams) rock & roll, then The Best Of Little Richard: Rip It Up is your ticket to a wild ride. Released in 1994 by Prima Musik in Germany, this compilation doesn’t mess around. It’s packed with hits so iconic they practically invented swagger.
First off, let’s talk tracks. You’ve got "Tutti Frutti," which is basically the musical equivalent of a fire alarm—loud, startling, and impossible to ignore. The opening line alone ("A-wop-bop-a-loo-mop-a-lop-bam-boom!") feels like someone just crash-landed a spaceship into your brain. And honestly? That’s why it sticks. It’s chaotic, unhinged, and utterly unforgettable—a masterclass in how to grab attention without even trying. Legend has it that Little Richard wrote this while working as a dishwasher. If true, it proves one thing: washing dishes can lead to genius. Who knew?
Then there’s "Long Tall Sally." Oh man, where do I even start? This track hits like a runaway freight train, all pounding piano chords and vocals so high-pitched they could shatter glass. What makes it memorable isn’t just the energy—it’s the way it feels like a party trapped inside a song. Every time I hear it, I half-expect to see confetti raining down from my ceiling. It’s the kind of tune that turns any room into a dance floor, whether you want it to or not.
Now, sure, there are other gems here too—"Good Golly Miss Molly," "Lucille," "Keep A Knockin'"—but these two tracks stand out because they don’t just play; they attack. They remind you why rock & roll became a thing in the first place: raw emotion, zero chill, and enough charisma to power a small city.
What strikes me most about this album is how timeless it feels. Sure, it came out in ’94, but these songs? They’re ageless. Listening to them now is like finding a vintage leather jacket at a thrift store—it might be old, but damn does it still look good.
And hey, here’s a random thought to leave you with: if aliens ever invade Earth, we should blast Little Richard’s music at them. Either they’ll surrender immediately, overwhelmed by its sheer awesomeness, or they’ll ask for an encore. Either way, we win.
So go ahead, crank up Rip It Up, and let Little Richard remind you what real music sounds like. Just maybe warn your neighbors first—they’ll thank you later.
