SHAKE IT
Franti Michael Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(The Queen of dance hall
Representing you done know Michael
They ready for shake their thing like a tambourine you know?
What you say?)
I'm ready Lady Saw
Uh uh
You're perfect just the way you are (I know),
Just the way you are

Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Like a tambourine
Come ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Come on ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You the dance hall queen

Shake it, shake it mama, you the one for me
I'm realizin' you the only one that's meant to be
And when I wake up in the morning all I wanna see
Is the sun that is shinin' on you next to me
You got a little broken nail, got a hair outta place
You got a little bit of extra middle right around the waist
With all of them things I never ever hesitate
'Cause the thing about you baby is the smile on your face
I'm blowin' kisses at you girl and I hope they didn't miss
The way you move your body made it hard for them to hit you
I wish you would come a little closer
Rub a little closer
Mama say, mama kosa saying

Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Like a tambourine
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Come on ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
And we run the scene
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
I like that
Come mama
Shake it, shake it, shake,
You the dance hall Queen

I got love for you baby, never givin' it up
And I love the way you love me, never gettin' enough
I love the way you shake that little extra bit of butter
When I see you move your body, girl it makes my heart a flutter
When I see you dancin' on the living room floor,
On the kitchen table better open up the door
Bring the party to the street
Because the street will love it more
And if the people love the beat,
Then the beat will love them more
With the music blastin', the people clappin',
The speakers shakin', the kids'll take it
You're perfect, just the way you are
You're perfect just the way you are

Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Like a tambourine
Shake it, shake it shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Come on ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
And we run the scene
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
I like that
Come mama
Shake it, shake it, shake,
You the dance hall Queen

Hey gyal them a bubble like a pot pon fire
Waist a move like it make out a wire
Firm and sturdy like a truck tire
When we shake it man bawl fire.
When Jamaican gyal dem a shake
We know say ity in da place
Slide pon de drum and romp on in de bass
Watchin' 'em make me wine out mi waist me say
We shake it like we got no bones
Shake it like we oh so stoned
When we shake it man gather round
That's how we get down.

Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Like a tambourine
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it
And we run the scene
Come on ma
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
I like that
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
You the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it,
I'm the Dance hall Queen
Come mama
Shake it shake it, shake,
You the dance hall Queen

Shake it on the beach girl, vamos a la playa
Hotter than the sun, you know you set this soul on fire
A bird in the sky, you make me feel like a flyer
Higher, higher, higher, higher
I got love for you baby, like every single day
I got love for you baby, in every single way
I got love for you, in everything that I cook
It's not the way that you look,
It's the way that you shook

Shake it, shake it, shake it,
I like that
Shake it, shake it shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it, shake it, shake it
Me the dance hall Queen
Come on ma
Shake it shake it, shake it,
You're the one for me
Shake it shake it, shake
Uh c'mon
Shake it shake it, shake it,
You the one for me
Shake it shake it, shake it,
Uh c'mon
You're the one for me




Shake it shake it, shake it,
Uh c'mon

Overall Meaning

The song "Shake It" by Franti Michael featuring Lady Saw is a lively and upbeat party anthem that celebrates dancing and having a good time. The lyrics speak about Lady Saw, who is known as the Queen of dancehall, and they are ready to shake their things like a tambourine. Michael encourages Lady Saw to shake it and emphasizes that she is perfect just the way she is.


The verse speaks about their love for each other and how much Michael admires Saw's body, including her little broken nail and extra middle around the waist. The chorus repeats the mantra of shaking it like a tambourine and emphasizes that Lady Saw is the one for him. The bridge brings in Jamaican lyrics and emphasizes the importance of dancing and moving your body. The song ends with Michael professing his love for Lady Saw and how she makes him feel.


Overall, the song is an ode to dancing and having fun, and it celebrates the confidence and beauty of the female body.


Line by Line Meaning

The Queen of dance hall
Referring to Lady Saw as the reigning figure in dance hall music


Representing you done know Michael
Acknowledging and introducing Franti Michael as a representative of the genre


They ready for shake their thing like a tambourine you know?
Expressing the anticipation and enthusiasm of the crowd to dance energetically like a tambourine


What you say?
Asking for confirmation or agreement from Lady Saw


I'm ready Lady Saw
Assuring Lady Saw that Franti Michael is ready to perform


Uh uh
An interjection indicating agreement or confirmation


You're perfect just the way you are (I know)
Expressing admiration and appreciation for Lady Saw's unique and authentic self


Just the way you are
Reinforcing the idea that Lady Saw doesn't need to change because she is already perfect


Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Encouraging Lady Saw to dance and move her body dynamically


Like a tambourine
Comparing Lady Saw's dance moves to the rhythmic shaking of a tambourine instrument


Come ma
Inviting Lady Saw to join in the dancing


Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Repeating the encouragement for Lady Saw to keep dancing and shaking her body


You're the one for me
Affirming Lady Saw's importance and appeal to Franti Michael


Come on ma
Urge Lady Saw to continue dancing and enjoying herself


You the dance hall queen
Acknowledging Lady Saw as the unrivaled queen of the dance hall genre


I'm realizin' you the only one that's meant to be
Realizing that Lady Saw is the only one who is truly meant for Franti Michael


And when I wake up in the morning all I wanna see
Expressing the desire to wake up next to Lady Saw and witness the morning sunlight on her


Is the sun that is shinin' on you next to me
Emphasizing the joy and happiness that Lady Saw brings to Franti Michael's life


You got a little broken nail, got a hair outta place
Acknowledging Lady Saw's imperfections but declaring they don't affect her beauty


You got a little bit of extra middle right around the waist
Appreciating Lady Saw's body shape, including any extra weight around her waist


With all of them things I never ever hesitate
Assuring Lady Saw that Franti Michael doesn't hesitate to love her, despite any imperfections


'Cause the thing about you baby is the smile on your face
Highlighting the importance of Lady Saw's infectious smile and happiness


I'm blowin' kisses at you girl and I hope they didn't miss
Sending virtual kisses to Lady Saw and hoping she feels the affection


The way you move your body made it hard for them to hit you
Referring to Lady Saw's captivating dance moves and implying that others find it difficult to resist her


I wish you would come a little closer
Expressing the desire for Lady Saw to be physically closer to Franti Michael


Rub a little closer
Suggesting a desire for physical intimacy and closeness with Lady Saw


Mama say, mama kosa saying
A phrase that doesn't have a clear meaning but adds rhythm and repetition to the lyrics


You the one for me
Reiterating Lady Saw's significance and importance to Franti Michael


I'm blowin' kisses at you girl and I hope they didn't miss
Repeating the line to emphasize the affection and desire for Lady Saw's attention


The way you move your body made it hard for them to hit you
Reiterating the impact of Lady Saw's dance moves and the effect they have on others


I wish you would come a little closer
Restating the desire for Lady Saw to be physically closer to Franti Michael


Rub a little closer
Repeating the suggestion for physical intimacy and closeness


Mama say, mama kosa saying
Repeating the phrase to maintain the rhythm and lyrical flow


Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Encouraging Lady Saw to continue dancing and moving her body energetically


You're the one for me
Reaffirming that Lady Saw is the perfect match for Franti Michael


And we run the scene
Indicating that Lady Saw and Franti Michael dominate and control the dance hall scene


Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Continuing the encouragement for Lady Saw to dance and move her body dynamically


You the one for me
Reiterating Lady Saw's significance and appeal to Franti Michael


Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Encouraging Lady Saw to keep dancing and shaking her body


I like that
Expressing personal enjoyment and approval of Lady Saw's dance moves


Come mama
Inviting Lady Saw to continue dancing and enjoying herself


Shake it, shake it, shake
Repeating the encouragement for Lady Saw to keep dancing and moving her body energetically


You the dance hall Queen
Reaffirming Lady Saw's status as the reigning queen of dance hall music


I got love for you baby, never givin' it up
Expressing unwavering and enduring love for Lady Saw


And I love the way you love me, never gettin' enough
Expressing appreciation for Lady Saw's love and affection, and always wanting more


I love the way you shake that little extra bit of butter
Admiring and finding delight in Lady Saw's confident and sensual dance moves


When I see you move your body, girl it makes my heart a flutter
Expressing the strong emotional reaction and joy that witnessing Lady Saw's dance moves brings


When I see you dancin' on the living room floor
Visualizing Lady Saw dancing gracefully and with abandon in the living room


On the kitchen table better open up the door
Suggesting moving the dancing and celebration from indoors to the outdoors


Bring the party to the street
Advocating for taking the joy and energy of the party to the streets


Because the street will love it more
Believing that the energetic and vibrant atmosphere of the street will enhance the party and its reception


And if the people love the beat
Recognizing that if the crowd enjoys the music and rhythm


Then the beat will love them more
Implying that the music is reciprocal and will resonate with the listeners


With the music blastin', the people clappin'
Describing the lively and enthusiastic response of the crowd to the music


The speakers shakin', the kids'll take it
Depicting the excitement and enjoyment of the younger generation to the music and its energy


Uh c'mon
An interjection urging for participation and enthusiasm


Hey gyal them a bubble like a pot pon fire
Referring to the girls dancing enthusiastically and energetically like a pot boiling over on fire


Waist a move like it make out a wire
Describing the fluid and dynamic movement of the waist as if it is made of wire


Firm and sturdy like a truck tire
Comparing the firmness and strength of the waist to that of a truck tire


When we shake it man bawl fire
Portraying the intense and captivating effect of their dance moves on onlookers


When Jamaican gyal dem a shake
Acknowledging the impact and popularity of Jamaican girls when they dance energetically


We know say ity in da place
Recognizing and affirming that their dancing style is highly valued and respected in that environment


Slide pon de drum and romp on in de bass
Describing the smooth and synchronized movement to the beats of the drums and heavy bass


Watchin' 'em make me wine out mi waist me say
Observing their dance moves causes a desire to join them and move one's own waist


We shake it like we got no bones
Expressing the freedom and fluidity of their dance moves, as if they have no bones


Shake it like we oh so stoned
Dancing with a relaxed and carefree attitude, as if under the influence of marijuana


When we shake it man gather round
Describing the powerful attraction and attention their dance moves elicit from others


That's how we get down
Declaring that their dance style and energy is representative of their way of enjoying and celebrating


Shake it on the beach girl, vamos a la playa
Inviting the girl to dance on the beach and using Spanish to express excitement and enthusiasm


Hotter than the sun, you know you set this soul on fire
Comparing the girl's attractiveness and energy to the heat and brightness of the sun, and acknowledging how she ignites passion and excitement


A bird in the sky, you make me feel like a flyer
Feeling liberated and exhilarated by the girl's presence, as if flying freely like a bird


Higher, higher, higher, higher
Expressing the desire to reach greater levels of euphoria and excitement together


I got love for you baby, like every single day
Professing a deep and unwavering love for the girl, emphasizing its consistency


I got love for you baby, in every single way
Stating a comprehensive and all-encompassing love for the girl, covering every aspect of their relationship


I got love for you, in everything that I cook
Expressing love and care through the act of cooking and providing for the girl


It's not the way that you look,
Emphasizing that love is not solely based on physical appearance


It's the way that you shook
Asserting that the girl's captivating dance moves and energy are what truly captivate and inspire love


Me the dance hall Queen
Franti Michael asserting himself as the dance hall King


Uh c'mon
An interjection urging for participation and enthusiasm




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JASON BOWMAN, MICHAEL J. FRANTI, MARION HALL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Punkypug

I have been going through a tough time lately, but this song is just what I needed to hear. Myself and my friends are all belly dancers so it's particularly inspiring to me. I know it was written just for me! :-) Thank you!!! It's a wonderful song!

@Aberlynn21

I love this song! I go to Paul Mitchell the school and they play this all the time!

@mellymomolove

such good vibes...as always... ~*~Bless~*~

@ALYoung-wj8td

THANKS!! I love this song.. I dance around at work to this song.. I could shake it all day and night long... great beat awesome song

@crazycelloful

LOVE this song

@Rieses

love it

@rundaisyanne

It's fun & romantic!!!! It's funmantic!!!!!!

@lesir7

"You got a hall pass?" 

@boostedgsrfoadoa

shake it shake it shake it!

@kavinosto

i love the vibe and feel of his songs... but honestly... he just repeats so many words so many times, its hard to listen to more than 10times in a row...

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