The song was well received by music critics, with many complimenting its simple yet inspirational lyrics, as well as calling it a standout track from the album.
Shake it off
Mariah Carey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause the loving ain't the same
And you keep on playing games
Like you know I'm here to stay
I gotta shake it off
Just like the Calgon commercial
I really gotta get up outta here
And go somewhere
Gotta make that move
Find somebody who
Appreciates all the love I give
Boy, I gotta shake it off
Gotta do what's best for me
Baby and that means I gotta
Shake you off
By the time you get this message
It's gonna be too late
So don't bother paging me
'Cause I'll be on my way
See I grabbed all my diamonds and clothes
Just ask your mama she knows
You're gonna miss me, baby
Hate to say "I told you so"
Well at first I didn't know
But now it's clear to me
You would cheat with all your freaks
And lie compulsively
So I packed up my Louis Vuitton
Jumped in your ride and took off
You'll never ever find a girl
Who loves you more than me
I gotta shake you off
'Cause the loving ain't the same
And you keep on playing games
Like you know I'm here to stay
I gotta shake it off
Just like the Calgon commercial
I really gotta get up outta here
And go somewhere
I gotta shake it off
Gotta make that move
Find somebody who
Appreciates all the love I give
Boy, I gotta shake it off
Gotta do what's best for me
Baby, and that means I gotta
Shake you off
I gotta, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
Off, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
(Gotta shake it off) off, shake, shake, shake, shake
Shake it off, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it off
I found out about a gang
Of your dirty little deeds
With this one and that one
By the pool, on the beach, in the streets
Heard y'all was
Hold up my phone's breakin' up
I'ma hang up and call the machine right back
I gotta get this off of my mind
You wasn't worth my time
So I'm leaving you behind
'Cause I need a real love in my life
Save this recording because
I'm never coming back home
Baby, I'm gone
Don't cha know
I gotta shake you off
'Cause the loving ain't the same
And you keep on playing games
Like you know I'm here to stay
I gotta shake it off
Just like the Calgon commercial
I really gotta get up outta here
And go somewhere
I gotta shake it off
Gotta make that move
Find somebody who
Appreciates all the love I give
Boy, I gotta shake it off
Gotta do what's best for me
Baby and that means I gotta
Shake you off
I gotta, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
Off, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
(Gotta shake it off) off, shake, shake, shake, shake
Shake it off, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it off
I gotta shake you off
'Cause the loving ain't the same
And you keep on playing games
Like you know I'm here to stay
I gotta shake it off
Just like the Calgon commercial
I really gotta get up outta here
And go somewhere
I gotta shake it off
Gotta make that move
Find somebody who
Appreciates all the love I give
Boy, I gotta shake it off
Gotta do what's best for me
Baby and that means I gotta
Shake you off
In Mariah Carey's song Shake It Off, the singer expresses her frustration with a lover who has been playing games and cheating on her, leading her to decide to leave him and move on. She repeats the phrase "I gotta shake it off" throughout the song, comparing her situation to a Calgon commercial where one needs to "take me away" to find peace and to escape.
In the first verse, she expresses her determination to find someone who appreciates her love and to do what is best for herself. The second verse details how she found out about her lover's extramarital affairs and how he was not worth her time. She states that she needs real love in her life and is leaving him behind, never coming back home again.
Through her message, Mariah Carey shares with her audience that it's important to move on from toxic relationships and to love oneself first. This song has become an anthem for people going through breakups and serves as a reminder to take control of one's life and find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I gotta shake you off
I need to move on from you
'Cause the loving ain't the same
Our relationship has lost its spark
And you keep on playing games
You are not honest in our relationship
Like you know I'm here to stay
You are taking advantage of my loyalty
I gotta shake it off
I need to let go of the past and move forward
Just like the Calgon commercial
I need to escape and find peace
I really gotta get up outta here
I need to leave this situation
And go somewhere
I need to find a new place to start anew
I gotta shake it off
I need to let go of my emotional attachment
Gotta make that move
I need to take the necessary steps to move on
Find somebody who
I need to invest in someone who
Appreciates all the love I give
Is grateful for the love I give
Boy I gotta shake it off
I need to let go of you
Gotta do what's best for me
I need to focus on my happiness and well-being
Baby and that means I gotta
It is necessary for me to
Shake you off
Let go of you for good
By the time you get this message
You were too late in realizing your mistakes
It's gonna be too late
I have already moved on
So don't bother paging me
Don't try to contact me
'Cause I'll be on my way
I am ready to start a new chapter
See I grabbed all my diamonds and clothes
I am taking what belongs to me and leaving
Just ask your momma she knows
Your mother can confirm it
You're gonna miss me baby
You will regret losing me
Hate to say "I told you so"
I don't want to be right, but I am
Well at first I didn't know
I was oblivious to your lies
But now it's clear to me
I finally realize the truth about you
You would cheat with all your freaks
You cheated on me with multiple people
And lie compulsively
You were not honest with me
So I packed up my Louis Vuitton
I took my belongings and left
Jumped in your ride and took off
I used your car to get away
You'll never ever find a girl
You won't find someone who
Who loves you more than me
Loved you as much as I did
I found out about a gang
I discovered your infidelity
Of your dirty little deeds
Your unfaithfulness
With this one and that one
Cheating with multiple people
By the pool, on the beach, in the streets
Your infidelity was everywhere
Heard y'all was
I heard you were
Hold up my phone's breakin' up
The call is losing connection
I'ma hang up and call the machine right back
I will call you back and leave a message
I gotta get this off of my mind
I need to let go of these thoughts
You wasn't worth my time
You were not worth my time and effort
so I'm leaving you behind
I am walking away from you
'Cause I need a real love in my life
I want a genuine relationship
Save this recording because
Keep this message for reference
I'm never coming back home
I have moved on and will not return
Baby I'm gone
I have left
Don't cha know
You should have realized this by now
I gotta, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
I need to let go of my emotions
Off, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it
Let go and move forward
(Gotta shake it off) off, shake, shake, shake, shake,
I need to shake you off
Shake it off, shake, shake, shake, shake,shake it off
And move on with my life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mariah Carey, Johnta Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Juliaa__T
This song is necessary right now. Love how it's about knowing your self worth instead of being sad over a fuckboy
@millymilly8264
Yesss
@francescahuawei4194
uh, how about not being sad over a boy? My knowing my self worth has nothing to do with anyone around me or what they say, it's permanent. most people respect themselves, it's others who don't respect them.
@gmcneoplan84
This video is 15-years old, but its concept is timeless. When a dude or female cheating on yo ass and they don't appreciate what you have to offer, you gotta shake them off. Life is too short to be with somebody who aint feeling you.
@hairslayedbylenia5384
People MORALS and definition of TRUE LOVE is so Unreal you really don’t know what to believe
@BobysMcdonaldMisterios
GMC RTS ll
@luisloretto4376
Life is to short to be with anyone at all
@mariortiz5674
Yupp that's why I am here lol
@xxlanden_dodgelandendodge5053
It’s 11 years old
@JasonB95
Emancipation of Mimi is a real jewel in Mariah's discography. Shake it Off is one of its timeless classics.