Shake
Otis Redding Lyrics


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You listen while I'm talkin' to you, now
Tell you what I'm gonna do now
There's a new thing going around now
And I'll tell what to put down

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

Got-to, got-to, got-to have it now
Keep on pushing babe
Shake, got to, yeah, ah, ooh

A ring-a-ling-a-ling
Honey, shakin' is the greatest thing
Ha, but if you really roll
Gotta do the thing with soul

Shake-it, shake with all your might now
If you do it, do it right now
Put your hands around your hip, yeah
Honey, you let your backbone slip, now
You move your body like your hip, you just shake

Got to, got to do it
Got to have it now
Shake, shake, oh shake yeah

If you really want to roll
Gotta do the thing with soul
Shake, shake with all your might
Now, if you do it, do it right
Just let your body loop-de-lite
Just got to, shake-a, shake, baby, now
Got to, got to have it
Shake-a-shake early in the morning now
Shake, shake-shaking in the evening
Shaking all, all, all night long
Shake it, shake it, all night long
Shake, shake it all night long




Shake, shake it all night long
Early in the morning you're doing the shake...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Otis Redding's song "Shake" are a call to action, encouraging the listener to let loose and move their body in a rhythmic and sensual manner. The singer explains that there is a new trend of shaking going around and tells the listener how to participate - by moving their entire body, letting their backbone slip, and using their hips to shake. The song emphasizes the importance of doing the shake with soul, and encourages the listener to keep going, shaking all day and night.


Overall, the song is about the joy of physical movement and the release and freedom that comes with dancing. The lyrics are suggestive and playful, using language like "got-to-have-it" to convey the urgency and pleasure of shaking. The song is also notable for its catchy, upbeat melody and the dynamic, soulful vocal performance of Otis Redding.


Line by Line Meaning

You listen while I'm talkin' to you, now
Pay attention to what I'm about to tell you


There's a new thing going around now
A new dance or trend has become popular


Move your body all around, and just shake
Dance and move your body in any way you like


Ha, that's the way you do it
That's how to dance properly


Put your hands around your hips, yeah
Place your hands on your hips while dancing


Got-to, got-to, got-to have it now
I really need this dance right now


A ring-a-ling-a-ling
The sound of a bell signaling the start of the dance


Shake-it, shake with all your might now
Dance with all your energy and effort


You move your body like your hip, you just shake
Move your body, specifically your hips, while dancing


If you really want to roll
If you want to dance properly


Gotta do the thing with soul
Dance with passion and emotion


Just let your body loop-de-lite
Let your body dance freely and spontaneously


Shake-a-shake early in the morning now
Dance early in the morning


Shake, shake-shaking in the evening
Dance in the evening


Shaking all, all, all night long
Dance for the entire night




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sam Cooke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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