"Shake It Off" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken … Read Full Bio ↴"Shake It Off" is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, taken from her fifth studio album, 1989. Swift wrote the lyrics and composed the melody with producers Max Martin and Shellback. An uptempo dance-pop song featuring a saxophone line in its production, it is about Swift's indifference to her detractors and their negative view of her image. The song was the lead single from 1989, which Swift marketed as her first pop album. It was released for digital download worldwide on August 19, 2014, by Big Machine Records.

Contemporary critics found the song's dance-pop production catchy, but some believed the lyrics were weak. Retrospectively, critics have considered "Shake It Off" an effective opener for the 1989 era, which transformed Swift's sound and image from country to pop. The song featured on 2010s-decade-end lists by NME and Consequence. In the U.S., the single spent 50 weeks–including four weeks at number one–on the Billboard Hot 100, and received a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Shake It Off" also topped charts in Australia, Canada, Hungary, Mexico, New Zealand, and Poland.

The single was supported by a music video directed by Mark Romanek. The video, in which Swift portrays a clumsy person attempting to practice several dance moves without success, attracted accusations of cultural appropriation for featuring dance routines associated with people of color such as twerking. To promote the song, Swift performed on televised live events including the MTV Video Music Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Festival. She included "Shake It Off" on the set lists for three of her world tours: the 1989 World Tour (2015), Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), and the Eras Tour (2023). The song has received numerous accolades, including Favorite Song at the 2015 People's Choice Awards and three Grammy nominations at the 2015 Grammy Awards.

Shake It Off
Taylor Swift Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I stay out too late
Got nothin' in my brain
That's what people say, mm-mm
That's what people say, mm-mm
I go on too many dates
But I can't make 'em stay
At least that's what people say, mm-mm
That's what people say, mm-mm

But I keep cruisin'
Can't stop, won't stop movin'
It's like I got this music
In my mind sayin', "It's gonna be alright"

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)

I never miss a beat
I'm lightnin' on my feet
And that's what they don't see, mm-mm
That's what they don't see, mm-mm
I'm dancin' on my own (dancin' on my own)
I'll make the moves up as I go (moves up as I go)
And that's what they don't know, mm-mm
That's what they don't know, mm-mm

But I keep cruisin'
Can't stop, won't stop groovin'
It's like I got this music
In my mind sayin', "It's gonna be alright"

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Hey, hey, hey
Just think, while you've been gettin' down and out
About the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world
You could've been gettin' down to this sick beat

My ex-man brought his new girlfriend
She's like, "Oh my God," but I'm just gonna shake
And to the fella over there with the hella good hair
Won't you come on over, baby? We can shake, shake, shake
Yeah, oh

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (haters gonna hate)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break (mm-mm)
And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake (and fake, and fake, and fake)
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

(You got to) shake it off, I shake it off
I, I, I shake it off, I shake it off

Overall Meaning

In ‘Shake it Off’, Taylor Swift talks about the criticisms she has faced throughout her career. She portrays how people have always had an opinion on how she leads her life, but she has decided to shake it off and dance through the criticism. For instance, she sings about how she’s always judged for the number of men she goes out with, but no one cares to know why those relationships didn’t work out. She’s always under the scrutiny of the paparazzi and media who constantly try to paint her in a certain way.

Despite all of this, Swift refuses to let the haters get to her, and instead chooses to live her own life on her own terms. The song encourages listeners to do the same; to not let the haters get them down and to enjoy life by shaking off the criticism.

Overall, ‘Shake It Off’ portrays a message of resilience and positivity, urging people to keep moving forward despite facing critique.

Line by Line Meaning

I stay out too late
I have a fun and active social life, which some people may criticize and judge negatively

Got nothin' in my brain
Some people may assume that I am uneducated or unintelligent, even though it is not true

That's what people say, mm-mm
I am aware of the negative comments and rumors that are being spread about me, but I choose not to let them bother me

I go on too many dates
I am single and enjoy dating, but some people may perceive me as being promiscuous or unable to settle down

But I can't make 'em stay
Despite my efforts, some of the guys I date are not interested in pursuing a more serious relationship with me

At least that's what people say, mm-mm
People may have their own interpretations or opinions about my dating life that are not necessarily accurate

But I keep cruisin'
I continue to enjoy my life and pursue my passions, despite the negative comments and judgments I receive

Can't stop, won't stop movin'
I refuse to let anyone or anything bring me down, and I remain determined to move forward in a positive direction

It's like I got this music
I have a positive mindset and inner confidence that helps me overcome any obstacles or challenges that come my way

In my mind sayin', "It's gonna be alright"
I believe that everything will work out for the best, and I am not afraid to be optimistic and hopeful

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play
Some people may try to manipulate or take advantage of me, but I am not going to let them affect my attitude or behavior

And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate
I know that there will always be people who criticize, judge, or spread negativity about me, but I choose not to let them bring me down

Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
I am going to respond to the negativity by staying positive and dancing it off

Heartbreakers gonna break, break, break, break, break
Some of the guys I date are not going to fall in love with me, but I am not going to let that break my spirit or self-confidence

And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Some people may pretend to be something they are not, but I am not going to let their insincerity affect me

I never miss a beat
I am always on top of my game, and I do not let any distractions or setbacks affect my performance or attitude

I'm lightnin' on my feet
I am quick, agile, and able to adapt to any situation or challenge that comes my way

And that's what they don't see, mm-mm
Despite the negative comments and judgments I receive, people often overlook or underestimate my talent, resilience, and strength

I'm dancin' on my own (dancin' on my own)
I do not need anyone else's approval or validation to be happy or successful, and I am not afraid to be independent and dance to my own beat

I'll make the moves up as I go (moves up as I go)
I am confident and creative, and I do not need a script or plan to succeed in life, love, or anything else

And that's what they don't know, mm-mm
People may think they know everything about me, but they might be surprised to discover my true talents, passions, and motivations

Just think, while you've been gettin' down and out
Instead of wallowing in self-pity or negativity, I choose to embrace life, have fun, and pursue my dreams

About the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world
I am not going to waste my time or energy on people who are dishonest, manipulative, or immoral

You could've been gettin' down to this sick beat
You could be enjoying your life and having fun right now, instead of focusing on negativity, drama, or rumors

My ex-man brought his new girlfriend
Even though my past relationships did not work out, I am not going to let that affect my current happiness or success

She's like, "Oh my God," but I'm just gonna shake
My ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend may try to provoke me or make me jealous, but I am not going to let her get to me

And to the fella over there with the hella good hair
I am open to meeting new people and making new connections, regardless of their appearance, status, or background

Won't you come on over, baby? We can shake, shake, shake
I am not afraid to be bold or flirtatious, and I do not let anyone else's opinions or judgments hold me back

Shake it off, I shake it off
I am shedding off all the negativity and drama, and starting fresh with a positive and confident attitude

You got to shake it off, I shake it off
I am encouraging you to let go of your worries and concerns, and join me in shaking off all the negativity and drama

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Johan Karl Schuster, Taylor Alison Swift, Martin Max Sandberg

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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