The group was part of the "Brooklyn sound" of the early 1970s, formed from three players of the group King Davis House Rockers. The House Rockers were a local dance band who had released a couple of obscure singles (1967's "We All Make Mistakes Sometimes" on Verve Records, 1972's "Rum Punch") The three players (guitarist Richard Thompson, tenor sax player Bill Risbrook, and alto sax player Carlos Ward) formed Madison Street Express along with bassist Louis Risbrook (later Muslim-monickered Jamal Rasool), percussionist Dennis Rowe, drummer Terrell Wood, and vocalist Barbara Wood. They along with producer Jeff Lane signed with production company Roadshow Records to record writer Billy Nichols "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)." The record was shopped around to major labels until it was accepted at Scepter Records. Scepter suggested the group change its name from Madison Street Express, hence the Brooklyn Transit Express. The single was released in August 1974, and reached the top 10. Lane took the group back into the studios at that point to record a second single and pitch a full album to the label. Scepter agreed to the LP and to Roadshow Records having its own label within Scepter Records.
The first two singles were hits, both number 1 R&B releases and both Top 5 pop singles in the US. The album hit number 1 on the R&B album chart and number 5 on the Pop album chart of the US. These recordings were also hits in the spreading disco culture, "Do It" peaking on club playlists before Billboard started a separate disco chart, but the follow-up single sat for five weeks at number 1. They were certified gold releases.
BT Express released an album per year through 1978. With the third album, Leslie Ming was brought in as drummer and keyboardist Michael Jones was added as keyboardist. Jamal, who had converted to the Muslim faith, gave Jones the name Kashif Saleem, which he used after departing the group, in 1979, to pursue producing ("Mighty M Productions" with Morrie Brown and Paul Laurence Jones) and solo recording ventures. That year songwriter Billy Nichols and drummer Leslie Ming also departed the group. In 1976 Scepter records was experiencing business difficulties that soon ended the company, and BT Express was given a distribution deal with Columbia Records, which, though it gave them greater exposure, resulted in less attention being paid to their production, since they had so many acts to concentrate on. The group did not achieve the level of radio or sales success on Columbia that they had on the more nurturing but by-then defunct Scepter. They stayed with Columbia for five years, with Lane producing through 1978, then Nichols producing their fifth album before he departed for solo work, and Morrie Brown producing the sixth LP and several follow-up tracks. The group switched labels to Coast To Coast Records for the 1982 LP, to Earthtone Records for a later 1982 single, and to manager King Davis' own label in 1985.
Shake It Off
B.T. Express Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in your head I feed you rational thoughts when you sleep
And if you want you can but I hope you don't ever leave
But then I'm left with irrational thoughts all over me
Ladies and Gentleman
Welcome To
Rational Thoughts
Errybody love money I like dirty and clean
She said I'm sick and she surprised it ain't hurt when I sneeze
And you still folding even when you sitting in between
You know you real depressed when you feel the pain in your sleeve
(Ah)
You gotta shake it off
Don't wear a mask and if you do you gotta take it off
You got to get to those blue bills,
Just like micro soft
And how you acting hard when you spit
We know you're micro soft
Rational thoughts
Staying in my own lane no I could never bother shit
Well if you gotta take a break then make sure that you make it quick
Your goal is right in front of you, you acting like you scared of it
(Ha)
These niggas always struggling to make it make sense huh
Look
You could never see me hidden in your dreams
I'm in your head I feed you rational thoughts when you sleep
And if you want you can but I hope you don't ever leave
But then I'm left with irrational thoughts all over me
(Ha)
You gotta shake it off
Come and show me what you thinking, come and shake it off
Don't be claiming you a lame but you don't wanna leave
I'll always take a chance if it is right in front of me
Don't try to front like you trapping when you ain't moving P's
And if you need you some cheese from me then ask with please
I'll bless you when you sneeze
You super sneaky like big banks and hidden fees
And I just spotted it with eaze
It was such a breeze
(Yeah, Motherfucker)
I cannot repeat myself my nigga did you hear me stutter?
And this a word to my mother and all my 7 brothers
I'm going up now but I promise I'll be back for supper
(Yeah)
I'll be back for dinner
You can't add a bill to your bag so you stretch is thinner
In the light I'm like a star how I shine and glimmer
You said that you are not phased, but you ain't get the kicker
I love the water and ice, but I am not a swimmer
And I been up for so long, my eyes gon' damn near carry blisters
(Ah)
I'm just gon' shake it off
How you think you rational but you don't even care at all?
You ain't getting nowhere just starting at the wall
That bitch ain't say she had a man til I was in her draws
And yeah it sucks and I'm sorry cus life ain't fair at all
And I admit that it was ruthless
You can't do nothing for me you super useless
And I got so much hate to the person who introduced us
You could never see me hidden in your dreams
I'm in your head I feed you rational thoughts when you sleep
And if you want you can but I hope you don't ever leave
But then I'm left with irrational thoughts all over me
You could never see me hidden in your dreams
I'm in your head I feed you rational thoughts when you sleep
And if you want you can but I hope you don't ever leave
Cus then I'm left with irrational thoughts all over me
I'm blessed with irrational thoughts all over me
These lyrics from B.T. Express's song Shake It Off are a boastful reflection on the rapper's success and experiences. The opening lines describe the rapper's sexual conquests and travels, implying a level of wealth and status that others could only dream of. The repetition of the refrain "you can't be like me nigga" emphasizes the rapper's pride in his accomplishments and the belief that others could not replicate his success. The following lines showcase the rapper's lyrical skills and hard work, positioning him as a veteran of the industry who has earned his position at the top. The final lines reinforce the rapper's financial success, with references to "big banks" and "depositing".
Overall, these lyrics are a classic example of braggadocio in hip-hop, with the artist using their rhymes to assert their superiority over others. The use of profanity and explicit language is part of the genre and serves to enhance the rapper's authenticity and credibility in the eyes of their audience.
Line by Line Meaning
I done fucked bitches in this world you would die for it
I have had sexual encounters with women so desirable, that you would risk your life for them
I done been places in this world you would die for it
I have traveled to locations so magnificent, that you would be willing to die to see them
But you can't be like me nigga not at all
You are incapable of being like me in any way, shape, or form
You can't be like me nigga knock it off
Stop trying to emulate me because you will never measure up
Like me, no you can't be like me
You are not able to replicate who I am
Two chains and a white tee
I wear expensive jewelry and designer clothing
And improbably fucking yo wifey
I have likely slept with your significant other
Got checks like I'm Nike
I receive a large amount of money, like the company Nike
And I Stay with that water like a Pisces
I constantly have access to and consume high-quality drugs
Stay high, I be looking Chinese
I am frequently intoxicated, and it causes my eyes to appear narrow like those of Chinese individuals
Flow sick it need a I-V
My rap skills are so impressive, that it needs to be administered intravenously like a medical treatment
Two twin Glocks, that's siamese
I own a pair of identical handguns, similar to the conjoined twins known as Siamese twins
Still beat yo ass like Botta bing
I am capable of physically overpowering you in a fight
Laugh about it like its comedy
I find humor in acts of violence or aggression
And I'm out of this world that's Astronomy
My abilities and success are otherworldly, like the study of astronomy
Yah bitch say I'm astonishing,
Women often marvel at my attributes and talents
And they won't give you no acknowledgment
Others are unwilling to recognize or acknowledge your achievements
All my goals I'm accomplishing
I am achieving all of my aspirations and objectives
And it's big banks that I'm depositing bitch
I am depositing large amounts of money into financial institutions
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Nile Bishop
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind