Cadillac Tramps riffed their way to prominence with an acclaimed, sweaty live show that earned a solid reputation for the band on the Southern Californian club circuit. Their admirers include Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam (who personally filmed one show). Their third album and first for Music For Nations subsidiary Bullet Proof was headed by a title track that concerned Coakley's HIV-positive friend. The Cadillac Tramps split-up shortly after the release of a 1995 compilation of outtakes and remixes, but reunited at regular intervals to play live shows. Coakley then formed Rule 62.
A more permanent reunion took effect in 1999, since when the band has maintained a regular touring schedule. Replacement guitarist Combs, who played guitar with the band between 1999 and 2002, was found dead in December 2004 after he disappeared during a snowboarding trip on Vail Mountain in Colorado.
Shake
Cadillac Tramps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's a Rich man
Used to be a lot richer
Call him Uncle Sam
Call him uncle or Mr.
Got a lady in England and the Philippines
Got a man in Russia you know what that means
Or his ass gets kissed
Duce you to the navy when he gets pissed.
Money talks
Economy is war
Made a lot of mistakes
Denied a lot more.
When they push the button in
Feel the ground
Shake!
When they push the button in
Feel the ground
Shake!
He's a rich man
Used to be a lot richer
Call him Uncle Sam
Call him uncle or mister
Got tanks stacked to the sky
Got jet airplanes gonna make ya cry.
Got movie stars smoking big cigars.
Making dirty fucking deals in big black cars.
Money talks
Economy is war
Made a lot of mistakes
Denied a lot more
When they push the button in
Feel the ground
Shake!
When they push the button in
Feel the ground
Shake!
The lyrics of Cadillac Tramps' "Shake" criticize the consequences of war and the economic interests that support it. The song paints a picture of Uncle Sam - a representation of America - as a man who used to be rich but is now a bit poorer. Uncle Sam has numerous ladies and men in different countries, implying that he uses his wealth and power to manipulate others. The lyrics suggest that Uncle Sam's primary concern is to maintain his wealth and power, and he would go to great lengths to do so, including starting wars.
The chorus, "When they push the button in, feel the ground shake," is a poignant depiction of the destructive power of war. The verse "Got tanks stacked to the sky, Got jet airplanes gonna make ya cry" speaks to the military might of Uncle Sam, while "Making dirty fucking deals in big black cars" suggests the political corruption and wealth extraction that often accompany military ventures.
Overall, "Shake" is a cynical take on America's relationship with war, power, and wealth. The song suggests that these factors are inextricably linked, and their continual pursuit results in misery for everyone involved.
Line by Line Meaning
He's a Rich man
He's wealthy
Used to be a lot richer
He used to be even richer than he is now
Call him Uncle Sam
He's commonly known as Uncle Sam
Call him uncle or Mr.
Or you can call him Uncle or Mr.
Got a lady in England and the Philippines
He has romantic partners in England and the Philippines
Got a man in Russia you know what that means
He has a male romantic partner in Russia, implying he might be involved in something shady
Kiss ass all the time
He expects people to flatter and appease him constantly
Or his ass gets kissed
Or he will make those people pay for not pleasing him
duce you to the navy when he gets pissed.
He has the power to enroll people into the navy when he's angry
Money talks
Money has the power to influence decisions
Economy is war
The economy can be a battleground, where nations and individuals compete for power and resources
Made a lot of mistakes
He has made many errors in judgment
Denied a lot more.
He's likely hidden or refused to acknowledge even more mistakes he's made
When they push the button in
feel the ground
Shake!
When the button to initiate war is pushed, it will cause destruction and chaos
Got tanks stacked to the sky
He has a tremendous amount of military firepower
Got jet airplanes gonna make ya cry.
He has access to sophisticated planes that can cause terror and destruction
Got movie stars smoking big cigars.
He associates with famous and wealthy people who enjoy luxurious lifestyles
Making dirty fucking deals in big black cars.
He engages in corrupt business transactions in expensive cars
Writer(s): Jonathan Robinson, Gromyko Collins, Kevonte Jackson
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris Coakley
Here are the lyrics for SHAKE . . . . The Tramps are surging right now if you are paying attention
Shake
He's a Rich man
Used to be a lot richer
Call him Uncle Sam
Call him uncle or Mr.
Got a lady in England and the Philippines
Got a man in Russia you know what that means
Kiss ass all the time
Or his ass gets kissed
Introduce you to the navy when he gets pissed.
Money talks
Economy is war
Made a lot of mistakes
Denied a lot more.
Chorus
When they push the button in
feel the ground
Shake!
When they push the button in
feel the ground
Shake!
He's a rich man
Used to be a lot richer
Call him Uncle Sam
Call him uncle or mister
Got tanks stacked to the sky
Got jet airplanes gonna make ya cry.
Got movie stars smoking big cigars.
Making dirty fucking deals in big black cars.
Money talks
Economy is war
Made a lot of mistakes
Denied a lot more
When they push the button in
feel the ground
Shake!
When they push the button in
feel the ground
Shake!