Shake
P.M. Dawn Lyrics
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Any females in the house
Any females in the house
Any females in the house
Any females in the house
I've been
[Chorus x2]
Shake, shake (one time)
Shake, shake (two times)
Shake, shake (one time)
Now bring it back again
It's not about how I've been
'Cause I've been truly blessed
But through constant battles with reality
I dangle from the strength stress
Maybe you can't call me lucky
Maybe you can't call me lucky
But I've got an ace in the hole
And it still turns blue
Now who's fault is that
I don't think you know the sound
I don't think you know the sound
There's a chip on your shoulder
And your weight on the back
There's a thousand pounds and then
Time okay time
Who composed the PM Dawn place time
Who composed the world and at the same time
Makes your body rhyme with your soul and mind
The world could be over
But I'm a soldier
But try me if you like
But you'll get nothin'
'Cause I
[Chorus x2]
What would you do in my position
Would you let them get you down
What would you do in my position
Would you let them spin you around
What would you do in my position
Would you let them inside you
What would you do in my position
What would you do in my position
Stop
Yeah!
'Cause I
[Chorus x2]
Everyone get out of your bodies (Repeat x8)
And
[Chorus x2]
Everyone thank Todd Terry (Repeat x6)
Everyone can thank Todd Terry (Repeat x2)
The song "Shake" by P.M. Dawn is a lyrical journey through the struggles of life and how the artist copes with it. The chorus is an invitation to dance, shake off the worries and forget about everyday problems, even if only for a little while. The artist shares that he has been blessed but still experiences constant battles with reality that he must overcome. He has an ace up his sleeve which turns blue, suggesting he has a way of avoiding obstacles that may come his way. The chip on your shoulder, as the artist suggests, can be heavy, but even the weight of a thousand pounds can be lifted by keeping a rhyming soul and mind.
The song urges listeners to find their way to cope with life struggles and not let them get them down. The verses allude to the idea that the world could end any moment, but the artist is prepared for it as he is a "soldier." The song's lyrics are arranged in a way that makes them somewhat abstract, with phrases that seem to relate to each other while possessing a deeper and more cryptic meaning beneath the surface.
"Shake" was produced by Todd Terry, and the song has a dance/club vibe to it. The artist samples his own song "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" in the beginning and incorporates some spoken words towards the end of the track, which only adds to its uniqueness. The song was released in 1994 and marks one of the artist's more mainstream and commercial tracks while still maintaining P.M. Dawn's style and substance.
Line by Line Meaning
Shake, shake, shake, shake
The artist is encouraging listeners to shake.
Any females in the house
The artist is addressing women in the audience.
I've been
The artist is about to reflect on his struggles.
Shake, shake (one time)
The artist prompts listeners to shake once.
Shake, shake (two times)
The artist prompts listeners to shake twice.
Shake, shake (one time)
The artist prompts listeners to shake once again.
Now bring it back again
The artist asks listeners to repeat the shaking motion.
'Cause I've been truly blessed
The artist acknowledges being grateful for his blessings.
But through constant battles with reality
The artist faced numerous challenges with life.
I dangle from the strength stress
The artist is hanging on despite the hardships he's experienced.
Maybe you can't call me lucky
The artist acknowledges that luck played no part in his life thus far.
But I've got an ace in the hole
The artist has a hidden advantage to deal with any upcoming challenges.
And it still turns blue
The artist confirms that his backup plan still works.
Now who's fault is that
The artist asks who is to blame in case the situation goes wrong.
There's a chip on your shoulder
The artist implies someone is holding a grudge.
And your weight on the back
The artist implies that someone feels weighed down by their circumstances.
There's a thousand pounds and then
The artist stresses that the burden is heavy and multi-faceted.
Who composed the PM Dawn place time
The artist references himself and the impact he has on music and culture.
Who composed the world and at the same time
The artist implies that his influence extends beyond the musical realm.
Makes your body rhyme with your soul and mind
The artist asserts that his music is introspective and soul-stirring.
The world could be over
The artist speaks of life-ending events beyond our control.
But I'm a soldier
The artist declares himself unbreakable and resilient.
But try me if you like
The artist challenges anyone to test him.
But you'll get nothin'
The artist asserts that his strength outweighs anyone who challenges him.
What would you do in my position
The artist asks listeners to reflect on his experiences and consider if they could handle them.
Would you let them get you down
The artist asks if listeners would succumb to life's challenges.
Would you let them spin you around
The artist asks if listeners would be lost in trying circumstances.
Would you let them inside you
The artist asks if listeners would be overwhelmed and beaten by adversity.
Stop
The artist abruptly ends the verse with an imperative to reflect on his lyrics.
Everyone get out of your bodies (Repeat x8)
The artist asks listeners to forget in the present moment.
Everyone thank Todd Terry (Repeat x6)
The artist acknowledges Todd Terry's contribution to the song's production.
Everyone can thank Todd Terry (Repeat x2)
The artist repeats Todd Terry's acknowledgements.
[Chorus x2]
The artist repeats the chorus twice.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ATTRELL STEPHEN JR. CORDES, TERRY TODD, Attrell Cordes, Todd Terry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind