Throughout the 70s and 80s, the group remained up with the times and occasionally crept ahead of them, such that they became influences themselves upon younger generations of R&B and hip-hop acts. By the time the group's popularity started to fizzle in the late 80s, a series of hits were left in the band's wake, ranging from greasy, funky workouts to smooth ballads to swinging synthesized tracks and more. Further separating Cameo from their forebears was the fact that they didn't have a diaper-clad guitarist. Instead, they had a codpiece-wearing lead vocalist in Larry Blackmon.
Today, the group's iconic single "Word Up", released in 1986 from the album of the same time, remains a radio staple. The U.S. Hot Dance Singles and U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart topper has also been famously covered by artists such as the hard rock band Gun and the alternative metal group Korn. Other popular Cameo singles include "Attack Me With Your Love", "Candy", "Freaky Dancin'","I Just Want To Be", and "Sparkle".
Shake Your Pants
Cameo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
I always like to strut my thang
Shakin' my pants to the rhythm , swing, I'm hot, ow
Do you wanna dance
You know that I just can't be without you
I wouldn't even get down, we always turn the place out
So shake your pants, and we can feel that thing, ho
Feel with me, touch with me
Let them see, yes siree
Ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
I'd like it tonight
Cause that's when my body feels just right
Don't stop me, no, no
Just watch me and I'll show you how
Be a freak, feel the groove
And we can move all night
[Cause that's when my body feels just right]
Work your body with my body
And we'll sex away till the time is right, yeah
[Just watch me and I'll show you how]
Go with the flow and I'll let you know
Just how to move
[Cause that's when my body feels just right]
Shake your pants, shake your pants
And let the vibes come through
[Just watch me and I'll show you how]
Shake your pants
I like the way we dance
Shake your pants
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Sasson, Jordache, even Gloria Vanderbilt
When I shake my pants you know I'm dressed to kill
I came here to dance and I don't no around
So take your chances out here if you will
Feel with me, touch with me
Let them see, yeah, yeah (Ooh)
Ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
I'd like it tonight
'Cause that's when my body feels just right
Don't stop me, no, no
Just watch me and I'll show you how
Be a freak, feel the groove
And we can move all night
['Cause that's when my body feels just right]
Work your body with my body
And we'll sex away till the time is right, yeah
[Just watch me and I'll show you how]
Go with the flow and I'll let you know
Just how to move
['Cause that's when my body feels just right]
Shake your pants, shake your pants
And let the vibes come through
[Just watch me and I'll show you how]
Feel it
Oh, feel it
Can't you feel the groove
Make your body move
Uh, you know that I (I)
I (I)
Uh, you know that I (I)
I (I, oh...oh...oh...I...I...hey, well)
Shake your pants
I like the way we dance
Shake your pants
For action and romance
Shake your pants
Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
The lyrics to Cameo's song Shake Your Pants revolve around the joy of dancing and physical intimacy. The opening lines invite the listener to engage with the rhythm by shaking their pants, and the back-and-forth vocals between the lead and background singers create a playful, party atmosphere. The verse describes how the singer is the one who satisfies the listener and cannot be without them, encouraging them to let loose and feel the groove. The chorus repeats the invitation to shake their pants, emphasizing the physicality of the experience. The bridge suggests that the music has the power to create a connective energy, making the dancers move together as one. The closing lines express the desire for action and romance, cementing the intimacy of the dancefloor.
One interesting fact about Shake Your Pants is that it was the second single from Cameo's breakthrough album, "Cameosis," which also included the hit track "Word Up!" Another fact is that the song features the signature Cameo horn section, which became a trademark of their sound. Additionally, Shake Your Pants was a dance club favorite and helped establish Cameo as one of the top funk bands of the 1980s. The song was written by founding member Larry Blackmon and co-producer Tomi Jenkins. Shake Your Pants has been sampled in other songs, including LL Cool J's "Jack the Ripper" and MC Hammer's "Pumps and a Bump." The music video for Shake Your Pants features the band in colorful fashions and exaggerated dance moves, contributing to their flashy, showmanship style.
As the song is rooted in funk, the chords are likely to be complex and dynamic, featuring horn arrangements and syncopated bass lines. Unfortunately, specific chord progressions are not readily available for the track.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, ooh, ah, ah
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement
Ooh, ooh, yeah
Further expressing enthusiasm and excitement
I always like to strut my thang
I enjoy showing off and expressing myself
Shakin' my pants to the rhythm , swing, I'm hot, ow
Dancing to the beat, feeling confident and attractive
Do you wanna dance
Asking someone to join me, flirtatiously
Uh, you know that I'm the one who satisfies you
Confidently claiming to be satisfying in every way
You know that I just can't be without you
Expressing dependence and need for the other person
I wouldn't even get down, we always turn the place out
I never miss the opportunity to dance and party, always having a good time
So shake your pants, and we can feel that thing, ho
Inviting the other person to dance provocatively with me
Feel with me, touch with me
Encouraging intimacy through physical contact
Let them see, yes siree
Showing off our connection and chemistry to others
I'd like it tonight
Expressing desire to have fun and let loose tonight
Cause that's when my body feels just right
Explaining that tonight is the perfect time for me to let go and dance
Don't stop me, no, no
Asking the other person not to hold me back or stop me from having fun
Just watch me and I'll show you how
Confidently promising to lead and impress the other person with my dance moves
Be a freak, feel the groove
Encouraging the other person to let go and get wild while dancing
And we can move all night
Proposing to dance and party for hours
Work your body with my body
Suggesting that we dance intimately with each other
And we'll sex away till the time is right, yeah
Implying that dancing and intimacy might lead to sexual activity later
Go with the flow and I'll let you know
Encouraging the other person to trust me and follow my lead while dancing
And let the vibes come through
Asking the other person to relax and enjoy the music and atmosphere
I like the way we dance
Expressing satisfaction with the way we dance together
For action and romance
Hinting at the potential for physical intimacy and emotional connection
Sasson, Jordache, even Gloria Vanderbilt
Listing designer jeans brands to emphasize my fashionable attire
When I shake my pants you know I'm dressed to kill
Boasting about my attractive appearance while dancing
I came here to dance and I don't no around
Asserting my intentions to enjoy myself and not waste time
So take your chances out here if you will
Encouraging the other person to join me in taking a risk and dancing passionately
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LARRY BLACKMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sharon Walker
Perfect combination of funk and disco. Cameo was the ish!!!
Donna Star
2022 and this is still the jam..
Ninja Mbita
YES !
lakita perkins
Mines too
Stephanie Monteilh
This brings back so many memories of house parties in the early 1980's
Sean McMillan
Dope song
Ken Brome
At the all night skates back in the day, when this song came on at 4 am, we ALL woke up and skated our asses off and it got funky like this song. I learned to dance on skates before my feet because of Cameo ,,.. this is my favorite and Freaky Dancin' !!! The early 1980's were magic !!!! I miss them so much !
Alex Shvaygman
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Alex Shvaygman
I'm taking a break right now cuz I'm eating my lollipop and oh my candy bye
Stacy Smith
Cameo. All time, favorite and will always be.👍❤️