Although Rooney had flirted with enlisting Ric Ocasek to produce, they eventually opted to rehire Keith Forsey, the producer responsible for the the strong batch of demos that had gotten them signed in the first place. Rooney's sunny, self-titled debut arrived in 2003 and its sales spiked considerably the following year when the band appeared on Fox's popular teen drama The O.C. (the first in a long line of bands to do so). Later that year, the concert DVD Spit and Sweat was released, highlighting the group's transformation from teenage musicians into a road-seasoned outfit. Rooney began recording their follow-up later that year with producer Tony Hoffer, but the album was eventually scrapped despite several songs being posted on the band's MySpace page. A second attempt to record their sophomore album was made in fall 2005, this time with Howard Benson in the producer's seat. Although it was slated for a 2006 release, this version too was scrapped as friction between the band and its label increased.
Following a 2006 tour with Kelly Clarkson, Rooney returned to the studio with producer John Fields for a third -- and successful -- attempt at recording their second album. The slightly darker, but no less catchy Calling the World was released in summer 2007 and debuted on the Billboard charts at number 42. By this point, though, the band's relationship with Geffen had suffered too much damage and Rooney eventually left the label's roster in 2009. That same year, the band celebrated their independent status by self-releasing an EP, Wild One, and launching a brief tour. They didn't remain independent for long, though, eventually partnering with Warner Bros. for the release of their third full-length album, the self-produced Eureka, in June 2010. Although bassist Matt Winter played on the record, he left the band's lineup several months before its release, with Brandon Schwartzel climbing aboard in his place. By the end of 2011, support for the record had mostly ceased and Rooney essentially entered into a lengthy hiatus. Schwartzman remained busy with a number of projects, including two solo records and a pair of film scores. Following years of silence regarding his band's fate, Schwartzman revealed in early 2016 that he had completed a new Rooney album entirely on his own. Released in May 2016, Washed Away was the fourth LP under the Rooney banner, and was supported on the road by a completely retooled lineup. In June 2017, the band issued the single "Second Chances" in anticipation of the release of the El Cortez EP, which arrived in July of that year.
I'm Shakin'
Rooney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be normal
And I've forgotten what food tastes like
The way it tastes right
The taste buds taste right
Well I wake up in so much spit and sweat
It is not normal
I go to bed
When I wake up
After cleaning all
All the spit and sweat
Now I'm now I'm sh sh shakin' sh shakin' I'm
Sh sh shakin' sh shakin' now
I tossed and turned all night
'Cause I, cause I was looking for, for an ending
This was so because, because I watched all day
The "Neverending story" with Atreyu
The next day came but not a beam of light
Because the blinds were shut
Sh sh sh shut so tight
I fell out of bed laced in spit and sweat
It made me very cold
Now I'm now I'm sh sh shakin' sh shakin'
I'm sh sh shakin' sh shakin' now
I'm supposed to feel better
This nightmare supposed to end
I am holding on
I'm shakin' now
The lyrics to Rooney's song "I'm Shakin'" give a glimpse into the internal turmoil and confusion a person can feel when struggling with mental health issues. The lyrics convey a sense of disconnection from feeling normal and enjoying the simple things in life, such as the taste of food. The repetition of the phrase "sh sh shakin'" in the chorus creates a feeling of restlessness and anxiety that the singer is experiencing.
The reference to the movie "The Neverending Story" adds another layer of meaning to the song. Atreyu, the singer of the movie, goes on a journey to save the fictional land of Fantasia from destruction. Perhaps the singer of the song is also on a journey to save themselves from their own inner turmoil. The sense of hopelessness and frustration is accentuated in the line "I'm supposed to feel better, this nightmare supposed to end," conveying the exhausted hope of someone who has been fighting their battles for a long time.
Line by Line Meaning
I've forgotten what it feels like to feel normal
I cannot remember the sensation of being ordinary
To be normal
To be like everyone else
And I've forgotten what food tastes like
I cannot recollect the flavor of meals
The way it tastes right
The way meals are supposed to taste
The taste buds taste right
My taste buds are functioning correctly
Well I wake up in so much spit and sweat
I wake up drenched in saliva and perspiration
It is not normal
This is an abnormal occurrence
What is normal
What is considered typical?
I go to bed
I prepare for slumber
When I wake up
Upon awakening
After cleaning all
After sanitizing myself
All the spit and sweat
All the saliva and perspiration
Now I'm now I'm sh sh shakin' sh shakin' I'm
I am currently experiencing tremors
Sh sh shakin' sh shakin' now
Continuing to tremble
I tossed and turned all night
I was unable to sleep peacefully
'Cause I, cause I was looking for, for an ending
I was searching for a conclusion to my troubles
This was so because, because I watched all day
This happened because I watched a movie all day
The 'Neverending story' with Atreyu
The movie I watched was titled 'Neverending story', and the main character was Atreyu
The next day came but not a beam of light
The following day arrived, but I was not greeted by sunlight
Because the blinds were shut
This happened because I kept the blinds closed
Sh sh sh shut so tight
They were completely closed
I fell out of bed laced in spit and sweat
I tumbled out of bed covered in saliva and perspiration
It made me very cold
This made me feel chilly
Now I'm now I'm sh sh shakin' sh shakin'
I am currently trembling
I'm sh sh shakin' sh shakin' now
Continuing to tremble
I'm supposed to feel better
I am meant to feel improved
This nightmare supposed to end
This distressing situation is supposed to conclude
I am holding on
I am persevering
I'm shakin' now
I am currently trembling
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT SCHWARTZMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EleanorAlys
It's impossible to listen to this song without picturing Luke screaming 'ROOOOONNNNEEYYYYYYY!!!!'
@podsmpsg1
Hahahahahaha
@i3etter892
I love you.
@jamaaljackson4488
Yes!!!
@xanderhickingbottom
Just literally rewatched it lol
@bradcruise6291
Are you talking about the O.C. ? Lol, was that the blonde haired deuchebag? Am I on point here, or totally off?
@theearlynovamber8295
I’m 30, and I’m still watching the OC. It feels awesome to know there’s many many other people who still rock with the OC!
And Rooney of course. (And Luke :P)
@isabellel9892
I'm 28 and i'm still watching the OC too!
@UnknownAFX
Love You people
@Razorbladekiss12
The OC is my comfort show