SHAKE IT
Michael Franti Spearhead Lyrics

The Queen of dance hall
Introducing Lady Saw as the queen of the dance hall scene

Representing you done know Michael
Acknowledging Michael Franti as the person who brought Lady Saw to this occasion.

They ready for shake their thing like a tambourine you know?
Introducing the idea of dancing and moving to the music.

What you say?
Asking for confirmation.

I'm ready Lady Saw
Acknowledging Lady Saw's readiness to perform.

Uh uh
Expressing agreement and enthusiasm.

You're perfect just the way you are (I know),
Acknowledging the beauty and perfection of Lady Saw.

Just the way you are
Reinforcing the idea that Lady Saw does not need to change herself.

Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Encouraging Lady Saw to dance and move to the music.

Like a tambourine
Comparing Lady Saw's movements to the sound of a tambourine.

Come ma
Inviting Lady Saw to dance more.

You're the one for me
Expressing the sentiment that Lady Saw is the one for the singer.

Shake it, shake it, shake it
Encouraging Lady Saw to keep dancing.

Come on ma
Inviting Lady Saw to dance with even more enthusiasm.

You the dance hall queen
Acknowledging Lady Saw as the queen of the dance hall.

Shake it, shake it mama, you the one for me
Repeating the sentiment that Lady Saw is the perfect one for the singer and to keep dancing.

I'm realizin' you the only one that's meant to be
Admitting that Lady Saw is the one that the singer has been looking for.

And when I wake up in the morning all I wanna see
Expressing the feeling of longing for Lady Saw to be next to the singer.

Is the sun that is shinin' on you next to me
Stating that the sun shining on Lady Saw is the best thing to see when waking up.

You got a little broken nail, got a hair outta place
Acknowledging that Lady Saw is not perfect, with a small flaw in her appearance.

You got a little bit of extra middle right around the waist
Noticing a little extra body weight around Lady Saw's waist.

With all of them things I never ever hesitate
Explaining that these imperfections do not discourage the singer from wanting to be with Lady Saw.

'Cause the thing about you baby is the smile on your face
Stating that Lady Saw's smile is what makes her attractive, not her appearance.

I'm blowin' kisses at you girl and I hope they didn't miss
Sending virtual kisses to Lady Saw and hoping she received them.

The way you move your body made it hard for them to hit you
Commenting on how Lady Saw's dancing makes it hard for the singer to catch her.

I wish you would come a little closer
Expressing a desire for Lady Saw to come closer.

Rub a little closer
Suggesting physical touch and intimacy.

Mama say, mama kosa saying
A call and response phrase in Jamaican music.

And we run the scene
Other people recognize Lady Saw and the singer as leaders in the dance hall scene.

You the one for me
Repeating that Lady Saw is the perfect one for the singer.

I like that
Expressing enthusiasm for how Lady Saw is acting.

Shake it, shake it, shake,
Encouraging Lady Saw to keep dancing.

You the dance hall Queen
Acknowledging Lady Saw again as the queen of dance hall.

I got love for you baby, never givin' it up
Stating that the love for Lady Saw is consistent and will not disappear.

And I love the way you love me, never gettin' enough
Acknowledging how Lady Saw loves, and how the singer cannot get enough of her love.

I love the way you shake that little extra bit of butter
Admiring the way Lady Saw moves her body, even with a bit of extra weight.

When I see you move your body, girl it makes my heart a flutter
Expressing how Lady Saw's dancing makes the singer's heart race.

When I see you dancin' on the living room floor,
Remembering a specific instance of watching Lady Saw dance.

On the kitchen table better open up the door
Suggesting taking the party to another room.

Bring the party to the street
Bringing the party outside to share with others.

Because the street will love it more
Believing that the people on the street will appreciate the party more.

And if the people love the beat,
Hoping that the music and party will resonate with those outside.

Then the beat will love them more
Believing that the music and party are a two-way street.

With the music blastin', the people clappin',
Painting a picture of an exciting, and energetic environment.

The speakers shakin', the kids'll take it
Acknowledging that even kids will appreciate the music.

You're perfect, just the way you are
Repeating that Lady Saw is perfect just as she is.

You're perfect just the way you are
Reinforcing the idea that Lady Saw does not need to change herself.

Shake it, shake it shake it,
Encouraging Lady Saw to dance and move to the music.

Hey gyal them a bubble like a pot pon fire
Describing how other women are dancing.

Waist a move like it make out a wire
Production of fluid dance moves.

Firm and sturdy like a truck tire
Like an object that doesn’t move when shaked.

When we shake it man bawl fire.
Watching the dancers having fun is getting the singer excited.

When Jamaican gyal dem a shake
Describing the unique style of Jamaican dancers.

We know say ity in da place
Affirming that the party is going well.

Slide pon de drum and romp on in de bass
Encouragement to dance to different beats.

Watchin' 'em make me wine out mi waist me say
Getting motivation from the way they dance.

We shake it like we got no bones
Dancing without worry or restraint.

Shake it like we oh so stoned
Dancing with abandonment as if intoxicated.

When we shake it man gather round
Watching the dancers motivates others to join.

That's how we get down.
Dancing is how the partygoers have fun.

Shake it, shake it, shake it,
Encouraging everyone to keep dancing.

You're the one for me
Repeating that Lady Saw is the perfect one for the singer.

I'm the Dance hall Queen
Acknowledging that the singer too is part of the dance hall scene.

Shake it shake it, shake it,
Encouraging everyone to keep dancing.

Shake it shake it, shake
Encouraging everyone to keep dancing.

Uh c'mon
Encouraging everyone, yet again, to keep dancing.