In 1986, the band signed with EMI, and they subsequently recorded their first album, White Fields. which was released in 1987. Later in 1987, the group moved to Atlantic Records, frustrated with their energetic mix of hook-filled pop rock with dance music failing to break into the mainstream. Their next album, Wild Wild West, was released by Atlantic Records in the summer of 1988.
The first single, "Wild Wild West" (also known as "Wild,Wild West"), climbed to the number one slot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song's distinctive video also received a lot of MTV airplay. According to the Wild Wild West Songfacts, the song distinguished the Escape Club as being the only British group to have charted number one in the U.S. while never charting at all in the U.K.
In 1989, the group released two further singles from Wild Wild West: "Shake For The Sheik", which climbed to number 28, and "Walking Through Walls", which peaked at number 81. Hitting their stride, the Escape Club also had a cover single of The Doors' hard rock track "20th Century Fox" on the multi-artist collection 'The Wonder Years: Music From the Emmy Award-Winning Show & Its Era', which, in addition, meant long airplay on MTV. The band's official website reports that the song was produced by former Doors member Ray Manzarek.
In 1990, the band returned to the studio to record their what would be their final album, Dollars & Sex, which saw a March 1991 release. The first single, "Call It Poison", failed to crack the U.S. Top 40, which did not bode well for the quartet. Just when it seemed they would be considered a one-hit-wonder, Atlantic Records next released the slow ballad "I'll Be There". The group said the song was heavily influenced by the 1990 box office hit movie Ghost. "I'll Be There" reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The group then called it quits in 1992. Frontman Trevor Steel has since worked as a solo singer-songwriter as well as a producer and television commentator.
Shake For The Sheik
The Escape Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the CIA machine
Ten ten the President's men
In a big black limousine
There's an ICBM flyin by
Get down and get to work
High, high, we're high and dry
And we're dancing in the dirt
Chorus
I'm going to shake for the sheik
'till I feel my body break
I've got reds in the bed
Hear them dancing in my heed
Going to shake for the sheik
'till I feel my body break
I've got the blues - bad news
My heart's dropped down to my shoes
Yeah yeah
From the holy temples of Beruit
To the factories of Japan
Got to shine your shoes and hide your loot
And get rich while you can
There's a red neck rapping at my door
With bibles and grenades
And fighting for a one man's war
In bad black mirror shades
Chorus
Fat cats big ass rats
Jumping to the beat
Black, black oil
And crack
In a big black limousine
Chorus
The lyrics to The Escape Club's song "Shake For The Sheik" are a commentary on the state of society and politics, specifically the corruption and greed that exists at every level. The reference to the CIA machine and President's men in a big black limousine suggests that those in power are involved in illegal and underhanded tactics to maintain their control. The ICBM flying by implies the constant threat of nuclear war and the urgency to take action. Despite this, the lyrics suggest a detachment from these serious matters, as the people are "dancing in the dirt."
The chorus of the song talks about shaking for the sheik until the body breaks, suggesting an obsession with pleasure and indulgence, even in the face of impending danger. The references to reds in the bed and the blues highlight the emotional turmoil and stress that comes with this way of life, yet it seems to be accepted as the norm. The Holy temples of Beirut and factories of Japan are also mentioned, suggesting that greed and corruption are not limited to Western society.
Overall, the lyrics paint a bleak picture of the world and the human condition, with a sense of disillusionment and resignation to the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
All around the big bad world
Everywhere we look in this world, there is chaos and danger.
On the CIA machine
The government and its agencies are heavily involved in everything that goes on globally.
Ten ten the President's men
The highest ranking officials in government are powerful and have many henchmen.
In a big black limousine
These officials travel in style and luxury, with all the resources at their disposal.
There's an ICBM flyin by
There are weapons of mass destruction present and threatening our very existence.
Get down and get to work
We must take urgent action to protect ourselves and our interests.
High, high, we're high and dry
We are alone and vulnerable in this difficult situation.
And we're dancing in the dirt
Despite everything, we can still find joy in life.
I'm going to shake for the sheik
I will do whatever it takes to appease those in power and gain their favor.
'till I feel my body break
I will work tirelessly and push myself to the limit to achieve success.
I've got reds in the bed
I am surrounded by political ideals and messages that support communism and the left wing.
Hear them dancing in my heed
These ideas are influencing my thoughts and I can't escape them.
I've got the blues - bad news
I am feeling down and resigned, with little hope for the future.
My heart's dropped down to my shoes
I am feeling defeated and powerless.
From the holy temples of Beruit
Even in the most sacred and religious places, there is still turmoil and strife.
To the factories of Japan
Even in the world of technology and production, there is still corruption and greed.
Got to shine your shoes and hide your loot
We must put on a show and hide our true intentions to get ahead in life.
And get rich while you can
The ultimate goal is to acquire wealth and success at any cost.
There's a red neck rapping at my door
There are those who are uneducated and misguided, trying to influence us with their beliefs.
With bibles and grenades
They use religion and conviction to persuade others to fight for their cause, even if it means violence and destruction.
And fighting for a one man's war
They are motivated by their own selfish desires and do not care about the greater good.
In bad black mirror shades
They are hiding their true intentions and are dangerous and unpredictable.
Fat cats big ass rats
The wealthy and powerful are corrupt and unsavory characters.
Jumping to the beat
They are in control and enjoying their status and position.
Black, black oil
Oil is the driving force behind many of the world's conflicts and issues.
And crack
Drug addiction and abuse is also a major problem that plagues our society.
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Muzikgirl67
PURE VIDEO GOLD! Thank you soooo very much for posting and sharing this "lost and VERY rarely heard anymore" gem that became Escape Club's second Top 40 single, when it peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart back in February 1989!..(This was the follow-up to their #1 smash "Wild, wild west")...I thoroughly enjoyed listening...and the sound and video quality are FIRST-RATE too! Take Care! Ms. Elizabeth๐ต๐ฟ๐ต๐ฟ๐ต
Diego O.
this song played a lot in the radio back in the day...i love it!
Robert McGinty
Added this to my running mix. I remember catching this video on VHS off of MTV and feeling like a rich man.
Tat2Dragons
The guitar riff sounds very similar to Steve Stevens riff in Billy Idolโs song Flesh For Fantasy. Certainly not complaining, itโs a bad ass riff. ๐
Francisco Villalba
yeeees hahahahahah
Grabasandwich
I noticed this too. Could end up being a lawsuit at any time. Look how long it took for Men At Work to be sued!
Filmation77
This is such a beautiful little Artifact of the late 80's. (This band was considered The Future of Rock Bands)
XenaScully
They were good at writing ear worms. Wild Wild West and this one stay in your head once you hear them.
Maria Ines Vargas Ojeda
Gran recuerdo
Marcelo Orellana
Nobody pays attention to the actual lyrics of this song. Great song predicting the then current and still future of our society.