5
Otis Redding Lyrics


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Shake
Everybody say it (shake)
Eearly in the morning (shake)
Late in the evening (shake)
In the midnight hour (shake)
When the time's going bad, now (shake)
Shake with the feeling (shake)
Shake with the feeling

Listen while I talk to you, now
Tell you what I'm gonna do, now
There's a new thing going around, now
I'll tell what I'm puttin' down, now

You move your body all around and just shake
Oh, g'on, g'on, baby, now
Oh, that's the way you do it
Shake, shake, shake it, baby
Shake it like a bowl of soup
Let it go loop-de-loop, now
Put your hands on your hip, now
Come on and let your backbone slip
Move your body like your hip and just shake!

Got to, got to have it, shake in the morning
Early in the evening

A ring-a-ling-a-ling
Honey, shakin' is the greatest thing
But if you really roll
Got to do the thing with soul
Shake-it, shake with all your might now
But if you do it, do it right now
Put your hands on your hip, yeah
Come on and let your backbone slip
Move your body like your hip and just shake

Lord have mercy, now
Early in the morning
Late in the evening
All night long, y'all

If you really want to really roll, now
Gotta do the thing with soul, now
Shake-it, shake with all your might, yeah
Now, if you do it, do it right, now
Let your body loop de lite and just

Lord have mercy, shale
Everybody say it, shake
One more time, said shake
Everybody say it, said shake
Everybody say it, said shake
One more time, now, said shake




Everybody louder
Little bit louder

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Otis Redding's song "Shake" are an invitation to dance and shake the body to the rhythm of the music. The song's message is simple and direct, encouraging listeners to enjoy the moment, and to let loose to the beat. Otis Redding invites people to shake their body, move their hips, put their hands on their hips, and let their backbone slip. He suggests that shaking is not only a fun thing to do but also a way to alleviate stress when times are tough. The repetition of the word "shake" in the lyrics serves to reinforce the importance of the act of shaking and the feeling of freedom and release that comes with it.


Line by Line Meaning

Shake
Get moving and shaking your body


Everybody say it (shake)
Encouragement to everyone to join in and shake their bodies


Early in the morning (shake)
Shake your body in the morning for a good start to your day


Late in the evening (shake)
Shake your body in the evening to wind down from the day


In the midnight hour (shake)
Shake your body in the middle of the night to shake off any restlessness


When the time's going bad, now (shake)
Shake your body during tough times to lift your spirits


Shake with the feeling (shake)
Shake your body with emotion and passion


Shake with the feeling
Reiteration to shake your body with emotion and passion


Listen while I talk to you, now
Pay attention to what I have to say now


Tell you what I'm gonna do, now
Informing of plans to be made


There's a new thing going around, now
There's a new trend or practice beginning to circulate


I'll tell what I'm puttin' down, now
I'll explain what I'm proposing


You move your body all around and just shake
Move your body in any way you need to and just shake


Oh, g'on, g'on, baby, now
Encouragement to keep going and shaking


Oh, that's the way you do it
Expressing approval and enjoyment of the shaking


Shake, shake, shake it, baby
Reiteration to keep shaking your body


Shake it like a bowl of soup
Shake your body with intensity and looseness


Let it go loop-de-loop, now
Shake your body exuberantly


Put your hands on your hip, now
Place your hands on your hips and continue shaking


Come on and let your backbone slip
Relax your body and let it move freely


Move your body like your hip and just shake!
Move your body with the same fluidity and rhythm as your hip and shake


Got to, got to have it, shake in the morning
Need to shake your body in the morning for a lively start to your day


Early in the evening
Reiteration to shake your body in the evening


A ring-a-ling-a-ling
The sound of joy and celebration


Honey, shakin' is the greatest thing
Shaking your body is an excellent and enjoyable practice


But if you really roll
If you truly want to engage in this activity


Got to do the thing with soul
You must shake your body with passion and emotion


Shake-it, shake with all your might now
Shake your body with as much energy and vigor as you can muster


But if you do it, do it right now
If you're going to do it, do it well and correctly


Put your hands on your hip, yeah
Place your hands on your hips and continue shaking


Come on and let your backbone slip
Relax and let your body move freely


Move your body like your hip and just shake
Move your entire body with the same ease and rhythm as your hip and shake


Lord have mercy, now
Expression of excitement and emotion


All night long, y'all
Shake your body all night long


If you really want to really roll, now
If you truly want to engage in this activity


Gotta do the thing with soul, now
Shake your body with passion and emotion


Shake-it, shake with all your might, yeah
Shake your body with as much energy and vigor as possible


Now, if you do it, do it right, now
If you're going to do it, do it well and correctly


Let your body loop de lite and just
Allow your body to move and flow freely


Everybody say it, shake
Encouragement for everyone to continue shaking their bodies


One more time, said shake
Encouragement for one more round of shaking


Everybody louder
Encouragement for everyone to shout the shaking chants louder


Little bit louder
Encouragement for everyone to shout just a bit louder




Lyrics © Alfred
Written by: SAM COOKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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