Growing up with a Pentecostal minister father, the Wilson brothers formed the Greenwood, Archer, and Pine Street Band in 1967, with Tuck Andress (later of Tuck and Patti). The name was chosen to honor the tragic but affirming memory of the streets (Greenwood Ave., Archer St., Pine St.) that formed the thriving African American business district of Tulsa, Oklahoma also called Black Wall Street.[1] The Greenwood district was the site of one of the most violent racially motivated attacks in United States history. The complete destruction of the community was the result of the Tulsa Race Riot.
The band released their first record on an indie label in 1974 to little success. At the time, the group had up to twelve musicians, including drummer Ronnie Smith. Condensing to the three brothers and with producer Leon Russell at the helm, the group began to find success in 1978 with songs such as "I'm in Love" and "Shake", the latter becoming a Top 10 R&B hit.
By 1979, the group had changed its name to The Gap Band, and found success with the groundbreaking single "I Don't Believe You Wanna Get Up and Dance (Oops Upside Your Head)". But it was in the 1980s that the group found their biggest success, with songs like "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", "Humpin' ", "Yearning For Your Love", "Outstanding", "You Dropped a Bomb on Me", "I Found My Baby", "Early In the Morning", and "Party Train" further establishing the group as icons.
Four of the band's albums, The Gap Band II, The Gap Band III, The Gap Band IV, and Gap Band V - Jammin, achieved platinum selling status, and four of their singles ("All Of My Love", "Outstanding", "Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)", and "Early in the Morning") reached the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B charts.
Their success dwindled at the end of 1984, although they have continued to record albums and are constantly on tour. Brother Charlie ventured into a solo career during a break from the group in the mid-1980s, being featured on the 1985 hit with funk group Zapp titled "Computer Love". Wilson's powerful vocals would be credited in part for establishing the careers of Guy's Aaron Hall (singer), Keith Sweat, and R. Kelly. The band reunited in 1996, and issued The Gap Band: Live and Well, a live greatest hits album.
Ever since the 1990s, the Gap Band's most famous hits have been sampled and covered by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Warren G., Blackstreet, Shaquille O'Neal, Mia X, and Mary J. Blige. "Outstanding" was even sampled for a famous 1990s commercial for malt liquor. While they missed the time that black musicians recorded soundtracks for action films by a decade, they produced and recorded some songs for Keenan Ivory Wayans' 1988 hit movie, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Among the musicians they have inspired are R. Kelly, Keith Sweat, Ruff Endz, Guy, Blackstreet, Mint Condition, Jagged Edge, and Aaron Hall (singer). Recently, "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" was featured in the hit videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on funk radio station Bounce FM.
Shake
Gap Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't help the way you feel
No time like the present, let's not waste a minute
I can give it, and I can take it..how bout you?
I just wanna make it up don't wanna fake it
I just wanna shake it up shake it shake it shake it
Now the bottles empty, storms passin over
There's no fields of clover
No white clouds driftin over
I wanna be where the sun shines on you
I just wanna make it up, don't wanna fake it
I just wanna shake it up shake it shake it shake it
If you think I'm crazy, or just a bit too lazy
Well that ain't been my main excuse
I don't wanna hide, these feelings inside me
I just wanna share them all with you
I just wanna make it up, don't wanna fake it
I just wanna shake it up shake it shake it shake it
The lyrics of the Gap Band's song Shake seem to be about a person who is interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with someone they are attracted to. The singer in the song has been crying and is tired of feeling that way. They know they want the other person and are willing to give and take in the relationship. They want to be honest and not fake anything, they just want to "shake it up." They are ready to take action and not waste any time.
In the second verse, the singer seems to be in a difficult place emotionally. They feel stuck in their room, alone and without any hope of finding happiness. They want to go where the sun shines, presumably with the person they are interested in. The singer just wants to be happy and not fake anything. They want to take a chance and not hide their feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of Shake seem to be about taking a chance on love and not being afraid to be yourself. The singer wants to be honest and not fake anything, and they are willing to give and take in a relationship. The song has a positive and upbeat message about taking action and pursuing what you want.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I want you, I'm tired of cryin
I am certain that I desire you since I am exhausted from being sad.
I can't help the way you feel
I cannot control your emotions.
No time like the present, let's not waste a minute
We should act now and not squander a moment.
I can give it, and I can take it..how bout you?
I can handle the situation, just like I can also be on the receiving end. Can you?
I just wanna make it up don't wanna fake it
I want to reconcile without pretending.
I just wanna shake it up shake it shake it shake it
I want to impress and excite you by dancing vigorously.
Now the bottles empty, storms passin over
The alcohol is gone, and the difficult times are over.
I've been alone here too long in my room
I have spent too much time in solitude in this enclosed space.
There's no fields of clover
There are no lush fields of greenery.
No white clouds driftin over
There are no fluffy white clouds moving by.
I wanna be where the sun shines on you
I want to be with you where the brightness of the sun illuminates your face.
If you think I'm crazy, or just a bit too lazy
In case you believe that I am insane or unenthusiastic.
Well that ain't been my main excuse
Those aren't my primary explanations for my behavior.
I don't wanna hide, these feelings inside me
I don't want to keep these sentiments concealed within.
I just wanna share them all with you
I want to reveal every one of them to you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JAMES JR. MINEHAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jammingalways
K-- just in CASE anyone sees this down the road... that was MY DAD on the bass!! :) I remember the summer this song hit the radio waves! 1978 (on the east coast), I THINK it was!!! :) Hey! My dad was given an ultimatum 1 year PRIOR by my MOM (this group practiced PRIOR, in our home for a LONG time RIGHT downstairs and within our den)! THIS song to "HIT" just AFTER my mom made my dad "put his bass and dream", DOWN!! The Gap Band practiced in my house!! This was THAT group, rigjt?!
@tracyhall6195
..So, your dad was Robert Wilson. 🤘😎👍 ..Congrats, 👏 ..and may he R.I.Paradise. 🙏 🕊 🌈
@andregoodwin890
Getting ready for work yall bumping!
@reggieslay3593
Greenwood Archer & Pine 💖
@alanmorris7669
This song use to blast on my big brother's 8-track tape player in his 1970s Mercury Cougar. Rest in peace, Melvin.
@martha.r
Heaven Gain Another Legend Ronnie Wilson R.I.H. 11/2/2021 🎤🎹🎵♥️🕊🙏🏽
@Greyareas27
GAP Band was definitely biting on Earth Wind & Fire on this one!
@waltongraham7031
I can definitely hear an EW&F influence on this one and a few early Gap Band songs, as well as Stevie and Parliament but everyone is influenced by someone. I'm an Oklahoman like GAP and no one can deny their influence and longevity in the game. Look at Uncle Charlie he's STILL on top! All of those other bands are great but please don't slight the GAP Oklahoma stand-up!
@Greyareas27
@walton graham By all means. My comment referred only to this particular song. The GAP Band's resume as a legendary R&B group speaks for itself.
@waltongraham7031
@Grayareas27 no doubt I admire your ear for recognizing the similarities. All in all we got to experience some incredible music from several great artists. Man I miss those days. Peace.