They began as Sharks as early as 1979 when high school friends Richard Black (considered to be the man from whom Guns N' Roses' front man Axl Rose stole most of his stage moves!) and Spencer Sercombe joined forces. The lineup for the Sharks changed regularly, with vocalist Black and guitarist Sercombe being the only staples. The Sharks released an independent album called Altar Ego in 1982.
By 1985 the Sharks had developed into Shark Island with a line-up of Michael Guy (guitar), Tom Rucci (bass) and Walt Woodward (drums). The band released an album of demos independently before being signed to Epic records. Shortly after, they had two songs included on the Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure soundtrack. In 1990 the band went from a five-piece down to four, when Black and Sercombe recruited a new band of Chris Heilmann (bass) and Greg Ellis (drums). The band were ready to set the world on fire with their first major label album, Law Of The Order. It contained killer singles such as "Paris Calling" and "Bad For Each Other", but went completely unnoticed by the record buying public.
In 1991 Black and Sercombe joined the one-off super group Contraband before heading back to Shark Island. New songs were recorded in 1992, but never released, and the band just faded away. Sercombe ended up joining the Riverdogs with Vivian Campbell (ex of Dio and now Def Leppard fame), and Heilmann played with Quireboys vocalist Spike in Spike's Soul Thing and Black worked with Jake E. Lee in the short-lived Bourgeois Pigs. In 2005 the band reunited with new drummer Glen Sobel and re-recorded some of their unreleased songs for the Gathering Of The Faithful album. In 2019, another album, Bloodline was released as well as a live album, Day Of The Dead: Alive in Zagreb.
Shake For Me
Shark Island Lyrics
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We're talking, rockin' the city all night long
There's a place with a girl in this world of sadness
Where the dreams of a woman crumble to the ground
Just another day, to take my breath away
Angylene
Angylene -- That's the way
Angylene
We can try to stop the madness
Angylene -- 'Til I break
When I get down I ride on through the back-road
To a seedy part of town but it's all the same
I pay the price I get enticed, it's a mind game
But this game is what I need to make my day
Just another day, to lead my soul astray
Angylene
Your broken soul in the neon jungle
Angylene -- That's the way
Angylene
We can try to stop the madness
Angylene -- 'Til I break
Just another day, waiting for a resurrection
Only one more day, c'mon, take my breath away
Angylene
Your broken soul in the neon jungle
Angylene -- That's the way
Oh, shake for me
Angylene
We can try to stop the madness
Angylene -- 'Til I break
(Shake for)
Angelyne
(Shake for me)
Angylene
(Shake for me)
(Shake for)
Angylene
(Shake for me)
(Shake for)
Angylene
(Shake for me)
Angylene
The lyrics of Shark Island's song "Shake for Me" paint a picture of a world full of madness and sadness, but with some hope in the form of "Angylene." The band talks about rocking the city all night long, but how despite all the excitement, there's always a lingering sadness. "Where the dreams of a woman crumble to the ground," the band sings, adding to the bleakness of the picture they're painting.
The singer of the song looks for a way to escape this sadness and the madness around him. He finds a seedy corner of the city where he can play a mind game that helps him feel alive. While the game is potentially dangerous and he pays the price, it's worth it because it's what he needs to get through the day. The second verse reassures the listener that even if they're feeling lost and broken, they can find hope in Angylene to help "stop the madness" until they break.
The chorus hits hard and catchy, with the band urging the listener to "shake for me" and seeking the help of Angylene in stopping the madness. The song ends on a note of persistence, with the singer waiting for a resurrection and hoping that tomorrow will be better.
Overall, "Shake for Me" is a song about hope in the face of darkness, and how we can find that hope in ourselves or in others, like Angylene.
Line by Line Meaning
Rocking around this great big world of madness
We're moving through life, trying to survive in a chaotic, unpredictable world
We're talking, rockin' the city all night long
We're socializing and partying, enjoying the energy and vibrance of urban life
There's a place with a girl in this world of sadness
Even in difficult times, there is still hope and love to be found
Where the dreams of a woman crumble to the ground
However, women often face obstacles and injustices that prevent them from achieving their goals
Just another day, to take my breath away
Life is full of unexpected moments, both good and bad, that can take our breath away
Angylene
Your broken soul in the neon jungle
Angylene -- That's the way
The singer is addressing someone named Angylene, recognizing the difficulties and hardships she has faced in the chaotic city
We can try to stop the madness
Angylene -- 'Til I break
The singer is determined to help Angylene and others facing similar struggles, even if it takes a toll on their own mental health
When I get down I ride on through the back-road
To a seedy part of town but it's all the same
I pay the price I get enticed, it's a mind game
But this game is what I need to make my day
To cope with the challenges of life, the artist sometimes engages in risky behaviors and indulgences to feel alive and in control
Just another day, to lead my soul astray
The artist acknowledges that their choices and actions may not always be the best for their well-being or future
Just another day, waiting for a resurrection
Only one more day, c'mon, take my breath away
Despite the hardships and challenges of life, the artist looks forward to the promise of a better tomorrow
Oh, shake for me
Angylene
We can try to stop the madness
Angylene -- 'Til I break
The chorus repeats the message of supporting and caring for Angylene and others facing difficulties, while also acknowledging the toll it may take on the singer
(Shake for)
Angylene
(Shake for me)
Angylene
(Shake for me)
(Shake for)
Angylene
(Shake for me)
(Shake for)
Angylene
(Shake for me)
Angylene
The repetition of Angylene's name reinforces the importance of her struggles and the artist's commitment to supporting her, even if it's difficult
Contributed by Madison D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.