On December 11, 1964, Cooke was allegedly shot to death by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California at the age of 33. At the time, the courts ruled that Cooke was drunk and distressed, and the manager killed Cooke in what was later ruled a justifiable homicide. Since that time, the circumstances of his death have been widely questioned.
Sam Cooke (he added an "e" onto the end of his name because he thought it added a touch of class) was one of eight children of Rev. Charles and Mrs. Annie Mae Cook. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1933.
Cooke began his musical career as a member of a quartet with his siblings, the Singing Children, followed by a turn as a teenager as a member of the Highway QCs, a gospel group. In 1950, at the age of 19, he joined The Soul Stirrers and achieved significant success and fame within the gospel community.
His first pop single, "Lovable" (1956) was released under the alias of "Dale Cooke," in order to not alienate his fan base; there was a considerable taboo against gospel singers performing secular music. However, the alias failed to hide Cooke's unique and distinctive vocals. No one was fooled. Art Rupe, head of Specialty Records, the label of the Soul Stirrers, gave his blessing for Cooke to record secular music under his real name, but was unhappy about the type of music Cooke and Bumps Blackwell, Cooke's pop producer, were making. Rupe expected Cooke's secular music to be similar to that of another Specialty Records artist, Little Richard. When Rupe walked in on a recording session and heard Cooke covering Gershwin, he was quite upset. After an argument between Rupe and Blackwell, Cooke and Blackwell left the label, and Cooke signed with Keen Records in 1957. His first release was "You Send Me", which spent six weeks at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart but which also had massive mainstream success, spending three weeks at #1 on the Billboard pop chart.
As if a R&B performer writing his own songs and achieving mainstream fame was not innovative enough, Cooke continued to astonish the music business in the 1960s with the founding of his own label, SAR Records, which soon included The Simms Twins, The Valentinos, Bobby Womack, and Johnnie Taylor. Cooke then created a publishing imprint and management firm, then left Keen to sign with RCA. One of his first RCA singles was the hit "Chain Gang." It reached #2 on the Billboard pop chart. This was followed by more hits, including "Sad Mood", "Bring it on Home to Me" (with Lou Rawls on backing vocals), "Another Saturday Night" and "Twistin' the Night Away".
Like most R&B artists of his time, Cooke focused on singles; in all he had 29 top 40 hits on the pop charts, and more on the R&B charts. In spite of this, he released a critically acclaimed blues-inflected LP in 1963, Night Beat. He was known for having written many of the most popular songs of all time in the genre, and is often uncredited for many of them by the general public.
Cooke died at the age of 33 under mysterious circumstances on December 11, 1964 in Los Angeles, California. Though the details of the case are still in dispute (see below), it seems he was shot to death by Bertha Franklin, manager of the Hacienda Motel in South Los Angeles, who claimed that he had threatened her, and that she killed him in self-defense. The verdict was justifiable homicide, though many believe that crucial details did not come out in court, or were buried afterward. Cooke was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, California.
Some posthumous releases followed, many of which became hits, including "A Change Is Gonna Come", an early protest song which is generally regarded as his greatest composition.
After Cooke's death, his widow, Barbara, married Bobby Womack. Cooke's daughter, Linda, later married Bobby's brother, Cecil.
The song "A Change Is Gonna Come" was played upon the death of Malcolm X, and was memorably featured in Spike Lee's film Malcolm X. Barack Obama's presidential victory speech paraphrased the song: "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."
Rapper Tupac Shakur references Cooke in a line of the song "Thugz Mansion", and Nas references him in the song "We Major" with Kanye West. The Roots song "Stay Cool" suggests, "I got the soul of a young Sam Cooke". Mike Doughty's song "Sweet Lord in Heaven" evokes the memory of Cooke, as does the Wallflowers 2000 song "Sleepwalker": "Cupid don't draw back your bow, Sam Cooke didn't know what I know". The Irish rock-group Jetplane Landing have a song named "Sam Cooke".
A fictional version of Cooke (portrayed by Paul Mooney) appeared briefly in the 1978 film, The Buddy Holly Story, leaving the stage at the Apollo Theater before Buddy and The Crickets got on. After being featured prominently in the 1985 film Witness, the song "Wonderful World" gained further exposure. "Wonderful World" was featured in one of two concurrently running Levi's Jeans commercials in 1985 and became a hit in the United Kingdom because of this, reaching #2 in re-release. Other notable movies that featured his music are Animal House ("Wonderful World" and "Twistin' the Night Away"), American Werewolf in London, and Cadence ("Chain Gang").
Cooke's songs "Bring It on Home to Me" and "Change is Gonna Come" were both featured in the movie Ali. The opening scene of the movie consisted of a live reenactment of "Bring It on Home to Me".
Posthumous honors
Shortly following his passing, Motown Records released We Remember Sam Cooke, a collection of Cooke covers recorded by The Supremes.
In 1986, Cooke was inducted as a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Cooke was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #16 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
In 2008, Cooke was named the fourth "Greatest Singer of All Time" by Rolling Stone magazine."
Covers
John Lennon included a medley of two Cooke songs, "Bring It On Home to Me" and "Send Me Some Lovin'," on his 1975 oldies album, Rock 'n' Roll.
Cooke's songs are covered in a tour-available EP from Decemberists frontman, Colin Meloy. It is the third installment of his solo-tour Colin Meloy Sings...!
Johnny Nash covered the song "Cupid" in 1969 with chart success in the US and UK, and it was included as the B-side on some versions of his 1972 hit single I Can See Clearly Now.
The Animals covered the song "Bring It On Home To Me" in 1965.
Amy Winehouse also covered the song "Cupid" for the BBC Radio 1 album Radio 1 Established 1967.
British soul singer Adele covered the song "That's It, I Quit, I'm Movin' On" as B-side to her single "Chasing Pavements" a bonus track for the Asian release of her studio album 19.
Richard Marx covered "Bring It On Home To Me" and "Wonderful World" during his earlier concerts.
"A Change Is Gonna Come" has been covered several times. Solo, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, The Fifth Dimension, The Neville Brothers, Otis Redding, The Fugees, Cold War Kids, Seal, Bill Frisell, and The Band featuring the vocals of Rick Danko have all recorded versions of the song. Seal's version debuted on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (Billboard, Nov. 2008) shortly after the election of Obama-Biden.
Gene Vincent, who was a big fan and a close personal friend of Sam Cooke's, recorded "Another Saturday Night" in 1964 and "Bring It On Home to Me" shortly before his own death in 1971.
Cat Stevens released his Greatest Hits album (1975) with a cover of Sam Cooke's "Another Saturday Night", only the second song he released that he didn't write himself. He had also released it as a single (July 12, 1974) which reached No.4 in the U.S.
Cooke was an influence on punk vocalist Mia Zapata of The Gits, who honored him with a cover of "A Change Is Gonna Come" on their album Enter: The Conquering Chicken.
In spring 1965 the British group Herman's Hermits reached no. 5 in the US charts and no.7 in the UK charts with their version of "Wonderful World".
In 1978, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, and James Taylor sang "Wonderful World" which hit the Top 40 in the US charts.
In 1966, the now cult 60s British pop show Ready Steady Goes Live, the live version of Ready Steady Go!, devoted a whole programme to a live performance of Soul singer Otis Redding, who regularly covered many of Cooke's songs. One of the highlights was a rousing version of "Shake" on which Redding was joined by British Soul legends Eric Burdon, lead singer of The Animals, and chart topper Chris Farlowe.
Jimmy Buffett covered "Another Saturday Night" on his album Margaritaville Cafe Late Night Menu, in 1993.
Shake
Sam Cooke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake
Shake
Shake
Listen
Listen while I talk to you
There's a new thing that's going around
And I'll tell you what they're puttin' down
Just move your body all around
And just shake
Oh, mamma
Shake
That's the way to do it
Shake
Oh, you're looking good now
Shake
Yeah, ha
Shake it like a bowl of soup
And make your body loop de loop
Put your hands on your hips
And kinda let your backbone slip
Move your body like a whip
And just shake
Umm, that's doing it
Shake
Yeah, you're looking good now
Shake
Go on, do it baby
Shake
Yeah, Ohh
A ring-a-ling-a-ling
Honey, shakin' is the latest thing
And if you want to swing
Just loosen up them shoulders
And if you want to really roll
You got to do the thing with soul
Shake the shake with all your might
Oh, if you do it, do it right
Just make your body loose and light
And kinda shake
Oh, honey
Shake
Hoo
Shake
Oh, that's the way to do it
Shake
Ah ah ah ah ahyeah
Alright
Oh, you're doing it now honey
C'mon, loosen up them shoulders
If you want to really roll
Got to do the thing with soul
Shake the shake with all your might
Now, if you do it, do it right
Make your body loose and light
And just shake
Oh, I like to do it
Shake
Make me feel good now
Shake
All gone baby
Shake
Don't be shy now
Shake
Dance, with you mama
Shake
Don't, do it baby
Shake
Oh, yeah
Shake
The song "Shake" by Sam Cooke is a fun and upbeat dance track encouraging the audience to loosen up and dance. The chorus repeats the word "shake" multiple times, creating an infectious rhythm. The lyrics instruct the listener to move their body in a variety of ways, emphasizing the importance of doing the dance with soul and letting one's body loose and light. The song is an excellent example of Sam Cooke's signature sound, blending R&B, soul, and a bit of rock and roll into an exciting, upbeat track that encourages the listener to join in and dance.
In summary, "Shake" is a fun, upbeat dance song that encourages listeners to let loose and shake their bodies. The lyrics are straightforward and repetitive in the chorus, urging people to move their bodies in different ways. Sam Cooke's sultry voice and signature sound make the song a classic soul hit that still resonates today.
Line by Line Meaning
Shake
This is the chorus of the song, encouraging listeners to shake their body to the music.
Listen
The singer is asking the listeners to pay attention and listen to him.
Listen while I talk to you
The singer is asking for the listeners' undivided attention.
I tell you what we're gonna do
The singer is making a promise to the listeners to introduce them to something new.
There's a new thing that's going around
The singer is referring to a new dance craze or style that is popular.
And I'll tell you what they're puttin' down
The singer is promising to share the details of this new thing with the listeners.
Just move your body all around
The singer is instructing the listeners to move their body freely to the music.
And just shake
This is a repetition of the chorus, encouraging listeners to shake their body to the music.
Oh, mamma
The singer is addressing a female listener affectionately.
That's the way to do it
The singer is acknowledging that the female listener is dancing correctly.
Oh, you're looking good now
The singer is complimenting the female listener's dancing or appearance.
Shake it like a bowl of soup
The singer is using a simile to encourage listeners to shake their body fluidly.
And make your body loop de loop
The singer is instructing the listeners to move their body in a circular motion.
Put your hands on your hips
The singer is instructing the listeners to place their hands on their hips.
And kinda let your backbone slip
The singer is instructing the listeners to loosen up their body and not hold back.
Move your body like a whip
The singer is encouraging the listeners to move their body sharply and quickly like a whip.
Umm, that's doing it
The singer is acknowledging that a listener is dancing correctly.
Go on, do it baby
The singer is encouraging a female listener to continue dancing and having a good time.
Honey, shakin' is the latest thing
The singer is referring to a trendy new dance style or craze as the latest thing.
And if you want to swing
The singer is suggesting that listeners who want to have a good time should try this new style.
Just loosen up them shoulders
The singer is instructing listeners to relax and loosen their shoulders to dance freely.
And if you want to really roll
The singer is suggesting that listeners who want to have a great time should fully embrace the new dance style.
You got to do the thing with soul
The singer is suggesting that listeners should dance with passion and emotion to really enjoy themselves.
Shake the shake with all your might
The singer is encouraging listeners to put all their energy and effort into the dance.
Oh, if you do it, do it right
The singer is encouraging listeners to dance the right way and fully enjoy themselves.
Just make your body loose and light
The singer is instructing listeners to dance in a way that feels free and relaxed.
And kinda shake
This is a repetition of the chorus, encouraging listeners to shake their body to the music.
Make me feel good now
The singer is asking listeners to dance in a way that makes him feel good and enjoy the music even more.
All gone baby
The singer is implying that listeners have danced so hard that they are out of breath or energy.
Don't be shy now
The singer is encouraging listeners to let loose and not be embarrassed or self-conscious about their dancing.
Dance, with you mama
The singer is inviting a female listener to dance with him.
Oh, yeah
The singer is expressing excitement and enthusiasm for the music and the dance.
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
@carmstrong6507
This kind of music puts contemporary popular music to shame.
@misael8200
This kind of music puts contemporary popular music to SHAKE!
@jamesjones6359
Happy 90th birthday Sam Cooke, you are the GOAT period.
@walliegirl2
I love Sam Cooke, and I love Marty Robbins!!!!!
@jamesjones6359
Happy 93rd Birthday to the great, great, great, Mr. Sam Cooke.
@canonet17
I think this is Sam's last hit released after his passing. My mother bought this as a 45 back in 65 and still have it today
@she4136
I can hear his breath😍 This is a REAL artist🙏🏽💛
@ReginaldLAllen
As a band director, I can tell you. THIS SONG ARRANGED FOR YOUR MARCHING BAND WOULD TURN YOUR GAMES ON IT'S HEAD!!!! SO HYPED! GO SAM!!!
@tammyslaughter7141
Has a high school or college band ever done this song? I think it would be great because the drums carry this song!!!!
@ReginaldLAllen
@Tammy Slaughter
Not to my knowledge. I did it one year with my middle school band for a pep rally...coordinated with the cheerleaders...turned it out!!!!! That was twenty years ago!