Shake
Redding (Otis) 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

"Shake" by Otis Redding is an upbeat and energetic song about dancing and having a good time. The lyrics encourage listeners to move their bodies and shake in various ways, from shaking like a bowl of soup to letting their backbone slip. The song also emphasizes the importance of doing the dance with soul and passion.


Redding's use of repetition and call-and-response also creates a fun and participatory atmosphere within the song. The phrase "shake it, shake it" is repeated numerous times, while lines like "got to have it" and "move your body like your hip" are call-and-response phrases that invite listeners to join in.


Overall, "Shake" is a celebration of the joy of music and dance, and encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and just move to the rhythm of the music.


Line by Line Meaning

You listen while I'm talkin' to you, now
Pay attention to me, I have something to tell you


Tell you what I'm gonna do now
I'll let you know my plan right away


There's a new thing going around now
There is a new trend that's popular now


And I'll tell what to put down
I'll instruct you what you need to do


Move your body all around, and just shake
Dance and move your body with the music


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


Oh, g'on, g'on, baby, now
Go ahead and do it, baby


Shake, shake, shake it baby
Keep on shaking your body


Ha, you shake it like a bowl of soup
Your dance moves are as energetic as a bowl of soup being shaken


You let it go a-loop-de-loop, yeah
You move your body in a swirling motion


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


Come on and let your backbone slip
Relax and loosen up while dancing


Move your body like your hip and just shake
Move your body to the beat and keep shaking


Got-to, got-to, got-to have it now
I must have it right now


Keep on pushing babe
Keep dancing and don't stop


Shake, got to, yeah, ah, ooh
Keep shaking and moving your body


A ring-a-ling-a-ling
A sound of a bell ringing


Honey, shakin' is the greatest thing
Dancing and shaking your body is the best feeling


Ha, but if you really roll
If you truly dance with energy


Gotta do the thing with soul
Dance with passion and emotion


Shake-it, shake with all your might now
Shake your body with all the strength you have


If you do it, do it right now
Keep dancing and do it properly


Put your hands around your hip, yeah
Again, put your hands on your hips while dancing


Honey, you let your backbone slip, now
Relax and loosen up some more while dancing


You move your body like your hip, you just shake
Keep moving and shaking your body with the rhythm


Got to, got to do it
I have to do it


Got to have it now
I need it right now


Shake, shake, oh shake yeah
Shake your body energetically


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


Gotta do the thing with soul
Dance with passion and heart


Shake, shake with all your might
Shake your body with all your strength


Now, if you do it, do it right
Do it properly if you're going to do it


Just let your body loop-de-lite
Let your body move in a carefree and joyful way


Just got to, shake-a, shake, baby, now
Just keep shaking your body, baby


Got to, got to have it
I need it


Shake-a-shake early in the morning now
Shake your body energetically in the morning


Shake, shake-shaking in the evening
Shake your body energetically in the evening


Shaking all, all, all night long
Keep shaking your body all through the night


Shake it, shake it, all night long
Keep on shaking your body all night long


Shake, shake it all night long
Keep on shaking your body all night long


Early in the morning you're doing the shake...
You're starting your day with energetic dancing and shaking




Lyrics Β© 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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Comments from YouTube:

Lyn tattenhall

Hypnotising! The way Otis gets Eric, Chris and everyone so involved is fantastic. Not to mention the band who are f*****g amazing.........Wow! This is in my top 2 live performances

Amadou DiakitΓ©

Mjghmxhmhbc

Simon Phillips

A live force of nature. Love Eric's face when he realises that he is the presence of a legend

adonai yah

What is really annoying is Chris not knowing the words and talking over otis

C Preston

1960's British bands owe a huge thank you to the amazing Otis Redding. Eric Burdon and Chris Farlowe were in the presence of greatness.

Paul Mason

A great performer. A great talent. The greatest Otis Redding (1941-67). Gone too soon with so much more to give. And many thanks to Dave Clark for rescuing the RSG archive.

Bryant Moore

God bless the drummer and those dancers. If you can't get off on this today you ain't got a pulse.

gfrkiss

Damn right!

Richard Landen

This is so great. The drummer is off the chain!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rickie Russell

P OP 2

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