With a long singing career dating from the swinging 1960s, where he released material as the vocalist of Pyramid, Matthews joined Fairport Convention, formed and left Matthews' Southern Comfort, and went on to have a long and winding career, sailing through trends in rock, pop, country and folk with some chart success and maintaining a continuous cult following since his commercial peak in the late 1970s.
After his stint in Fairport Convention, came the country-tinged Southern Comfort (1969) album , where Matthews recruited Richard Thompson, and other members of Fairport to collaborate. He secured a deal with MCA’s UNI label and a touring lineup of Matthews' Southern Comfort released two more albums of material, Second Spring (1970), and Later That Same Year (1970). Much like he had when Fairport had it's first success, Matthews walked away from the band just as fame became inevitable and Tops Of The Pops were calling.
He went solo again releasing the self produced If You Could See Thro’ My Eyes (1971) on Vertigo with a cast that included Richard Thompson, Sandy Denny, Keith Tippet (King Crimson), Tim Renwick (Al Stewart), and other British performers. Matthews seemed, for a moment, to have found a comfortable balance of autonomy, support, creativity, and success. The follow-up for Vertigo, was Tigers Will Survive (1972), and then a new project Plainsong, who signed with Elektra[/label and released In Search of Amelia Earhart (1972). ex- Monkee [artist]Michael Nesmith produced the LP Valley Hi (1973), which featured a version of Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road” so definitive that you can hear the Eagles recreate it note for note on their 1980 live album.
Matthews took over production again for Some Days You Eat the Bear and Some Days the Bear Eats You (1974), which featured LA session men like guitarists Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, on his way from Steely Dan to the Doobie Brothers, and David Lindley of Jackson Browne’s band. That LP also featured a Tom Waits song called "ol 55" whom the Eagles also must've heard, as it showed up on one their next Elektra/Asylum releases.
Matthews moved to CBS for Go For Broke (1976), and then Hit and Run (1977). Finally in Stealin’ Home (1978) Matthews hit the US top ten with the single "Shake It". Even with chart recognition, his next LP Siamese Friends (1979) stiffed due to poor distribution through a Canadian indie whose founder had died. Spot of Interference in 1980 was followed by Discreet Repeat a best of from the Southern Comfort years.
Matthews had been struggling in the music biz for nearly 15 years by the early 80s and was still living hand to mouth, with nothing to show for his efforts but a string of out-of-print albums, and the loyalty of those musicians and fans who shared his vision. More or less on a whim, Matthews abandoned LA for Seattle, where he met vocalist David Surkamp, late of Pavlov’s Dog. The two formed Hi-Fi, an 80s guitar band that included Bruce Hazen on guitar, Garey Shelton on bass, and Bob Briley on drums. They produced a live mini-album, the Hi-Fi Demonstration Record (1981), as well as a full length studio album, Moods for Mallards (1982), on which they covered Prince’s “When U Were Mine.”
The hi-tech sound of Shook (1984) was followed by a record of mostly Jules Shear songs called Walking a Changing Line (1988). Matthews found day jobs at labels like Island and then Windham Hill while he planned a comeback that included a Fairport Convention reunion, and a live solo album recorded at NY's Bottom Line. Finding a renewed interest in songwriting Matthews put out Walking A Changing Line, Pure and Crooked (1990), Skeleton Keys (1992), and Dark Ride (1994)and God Looked Down (1996) both on Austin’s Watermelon Records. A revitalized version of Plainsong also recorded Dark Side of the Room (1992) Sister Flute (1996) a Live in Austria EP (1998) and New Place Now (1999).
Compilations of older songs also appeared including Orphans and Outcasts (1991), The Notebook Series (1992),The Soul of Many Places (1993), all selecting highlights, outtakes etc from his long career.
Relocating to Amsterdam, Matthews found steadier live work and began playing numerous live shows, both with new and established acts.
Matthews formed a Sandy Denny tribute band No Grey Faith with Jim Fogarty, who played on Tiniest Wham, and singer Lindsay Gilmour. The resulting album, Secrets All Told (2000), includes Denny’s “Rising For the Moon”. Also released in the year of the millennium was Iain AdVenture (2000). The next year Matthews re-tested the Plainsong waters once more in 2001 with a six-song mini-album, A to B, which includes his controversial take on racial issues, “To Be White.” A collaboration with American rocker, (now Paris resident) Elliott Murphy resulted in the commercially successful album La Terre Commune (2001). Other collaborations followed including More Than a Song (2001) with Eliza Gilkyson.
Since 2003 Matthews has worked with Dutch pianist and composer Egbert Derix.
Shake It
Iain Matthews Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rollin' it down the line
Slipin' and slidin'
Takin' her sweet old time
And laughin' all the way to the parking lot
Knowin' in the back of her mind
She's gonna show the boy what she's really got
[Chorus:]
Shake it baby, shake it all you can tonight
Go on and, and break 'em baby
Break 'em all you can tonight
'Cause it won't last forever
But do it for worse or for better
And give the boy somethin' to dream on later
Here she comes slidin'
Shakin' it down the hall
She's got a picture in her locker
An autographed basketball
She's got a purse that was made in Mexico (Mexico)
A mind that was made for love
She's got a new way of dancin' slow
She knows what you're thinkin' of
[Chorus]
It won't last forever
But do it for worse or for better
And give the boy somethin' to dream on later, and
[Chorus to Fade]
The lyrics of "Shake It" by Iain Matthews describe a confident and self-assured woman who is taking her time to roll and slide her way through life. She knows she has what it takes to impress the boy who catches her eye and is focused on giving him something to dream on later. She is described as having a picture of an autographed basketball in her locker, a purse from Mexico, and a mind made for love. The song encourages the woman to "shake it all you can tonight" and break all the norms that society may place on her.
Line by Line Meaning
Here she comes ridin'
Here comes the woman approaching
Rollin' it down the line
Cruising down to the spot
Slipin' and slidin'
Moving smooth and effortless
Takin' her sweet old time
Doing it in leisurely-paced step
And laughin' all the way to the parking lot
Amused, heading to the car park
Knowin' in the back of her mind
Aware in the back of her head
She's gonna show the boy what she's really got
She will display her true abilities to the man
And stop him in the nick of time
Halt him just in time
[Chorus:] Shake it baby, shake it all you can tonight
Shake it, lady, shake as much as you can tonight
Go on and, and break 'em baby
Proceed and break things, lady
Break 'em all you can tonight
Break everything to the maximum level tonight
'Cause it won't last forever
Because everything will eventually come to an end
But do it for worse or for better
Regardless of the outcome, keep doing it
And give the boy somethin' to dream on later
Consequently, provide the man something to fantasize about afterward
Here she comes slidin'
Here she glides through
Shakin' it down the hall
Moving down the hallway while shaking it
She's got a picture in her locker
She's got an image inside her locker
An autographed basketball
An autographed basketball item
She's got a purse that was made in Mexico (Mexico)
Her bag is a customization from Mexico
A mind that was made for love
A mentality naturally suitable for romance
She's got a new way of dancin' slow
She possesses an unconventional slow dance style
She knows what you're thinkin' of
She figures out the subject of your thoughts
[Chorus]
Refrain
It won't last forever
Life isn't eternal
But do it for worse or for better
Do anything regardless of the circumstances
And give the boy somethin' to dream on later, and
Afterward, present the man something to think of.
[Chorus to Fade]
Refrain until fade
Lyrics © TERENCE C. BOYLAN DBA STEAMED CLAM MUSIC
Written by: TERENCE BOYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bergson10
Here she comes ridin'
Rollin' it down the line
Slipin' and slidin'
Takin' her sweet old time
And laughin' all the way to the parking lot
Knowin' in the back of her mind
She's gonna show the boy what she's really got
And stop him in the nick of time
Shake it baby, shake it all you can tonight
Go on and, and break 'em baby
Break 'em all you can tonight
'Cause it won't last forever
But do it for worse or for better
And give the boy somethin' to dream on later
Here she comes slidin'
Shakin' it down the hall
She's got a picture in her locker
An autographed basketball
She's got a purse that was made in Mexico (Mexico)
A mind that was made for love
She's got a new way of dancin' slow
She knows what you're thinkin' of
It…
@lisal.4498
Brought me back to 1979 when I was 12 - man there was so much variety in music then- sorry but today’s doesn’t come close -
@Daisypetal100
I have always loved this song. It's upbeat and timeless.
@The70sChick
I love this song. Takes me right back to 1979. And of course, the opening song to that great coming of age movie, Little Darlings.
@musicmamma
One of those songs that never grows old.
@ryanmcginnis377
What a great song.. Its a shame you never hear it played on the radio anymore.
@mannycelis5651
Play it in my my city Indianapolis 88.1 but I hear it online cuz it has really shitty connection they run on off contributions
@1clevergirl407
Don't know if you will see this, but I just heard it the other day on the radio so came here to listen again. Otherwise it has been many years.
@kevinsukdolak5007
Plays once in a blue moon Sirius 70s on 7
@1clevergirl407
@@kevinsukdolak5007 Yes! That's where I usually hear all these forgotten gems. Then I end up spending hours looking up others on YT. Have a great day!
@Squidwardman1
Heard it on 70s on 7 with sirius radio two nights ago.