After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
Shake A Tail Feather
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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All over the neighborhood
So why don't you ask me, baby
Or didn't you think I could?
Well, I know that the boogaloo is out of sight
But the shingaling's playin' tonight
But if that's what moves you, baby
Do it right
Do it right
Do it right
Do it right
Twist it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby
Here we go loop de loop
Shake it out, baby
Here we go loop de la
Bend over, let me see you shake your tailfeather
Bend over, let me see you shake your tailfeather
Come on and let me see you shake your tailfeather
Come on and let me see you shake your tailfeather
(Twist, come on, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Come on, come on, baby, come on
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Come on, baby, do the twist, do the fly
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Ooh, do the swim yeah and do the bird
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Well, do the duck, do the monkey
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Hey, the watusi and what about the food
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Do the mashed potato, what about the boogaloo?
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Yeah, the bony marony, what about the twirl
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Well, I heard about the fellow you've been dancing with
All over the neighborhood
So why didn't you ask me, baby
Didn't you think that I could?
Well, I know that the boogaloo is out of sight
But the shingaling's playin' tonight
But if that's what makes you groove, baby
I'm gonna shown you how to do it right
Do it right
Do it right
Do it right
Do it right
Twist, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby
Twist it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby
Ooh, do the fly, do the groove
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Do the mashed potato, do the alligator
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Do the monkey, do the duck
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
(Do the swim, do the bird)
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
The watusi
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
The lyrics of Shake A Tail Feather by Taj Mahal is a playful and groovy invitation to dance. The song starts with the singer telling the girl he's talking to that he heard about the guy she's been dancing with. He then asks the girl why she didn't ask him to dance, probably implying that he's a better dancer than the other guy. The singer continues to explain that he knows the boogaloo is out of sight, but if that's what moves the girl, he would have shown her how to do it right.
The chorus of the song is an invitation to "twist, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby" and to "shake your tailfeather." The lyrics also give instructions on how to do the different dance moves, from the loop de loop to the mashed potato, the alligator, and the watusi.
The song is all about having fun and letting loose on the dancefloor. Taj Mahal's soulful voice paired with the funky instrumentation creates a lively and energetic atmosphere that is sure to make anyone want to dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I heard about the fellow you've been dancing with
All over the neighborhood
So why don't you ask me, baby
Or didn't you think I could?
I heard that you've been dancing with someone else all over the place. You should've asked me to dance or were you afraid that I couldn't keep up with you?
Well, I know that the boogaloo is out of sight
But the shingaling's playin' tonight
But if that's what moves you, baby
I would have shown you how to do it right
I know the boogaloo is no longer popular, but if you like the new shingaling dance craze, I'm happy to teach it to you so you can do it the right way
Twist it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby
Here we go loop de loop
Shake it out, baby
Here we go loop de la
Let's get on the dance floor and do some twists and shakes, loop de loops, and other fun moves together
Bend over, let me see you shake your tailfeather
Bend over, let me see you shake your tailfeather
Come on and let me see you shake your tailfeather
Come on and let me see you shake your tailfeather
Show off your moves by bending over and shaking your tail feather, come on and show me what you got
Ooh, do the swim yeah and do the bird
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Well, do the duck, do the monkey
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Hey, the watusi and what about the food
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Do the mashed potato, what about the boogaloo?
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Yeah, the bony marony, what about the twirl
(Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby)
Let's try different dance moves, like the swim, bird, duck, and monkey dances, and also the watusi and mashed potato. What about the food? Don't forget the popular dances like the boogaloo and bony marony while enjoying a good twirl
Do it right
Do it right
Do it right
Do it right
Twist, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby
Twist it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby
Let's make sure we're doing these dance moves right and giving it our all. Twist and shake it as much as you can
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: Verlie Rice, Andre Williams, Otis Hayes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind