The Friday Five: “Shak…” Songs

The Friday Five 2 Minutes

It wasn’t exactly the answer I was looking for, but Dan suggested “five songs with shak… in the title” to my post from yesterday, and I said, “yeah, that could work…” I’m assuming “shak…” means “shake,” “shaken,” “shaking,” and we might even able to stretch it to “shook.” Oh, and let’s not forget “Shakespeare.” Anyway, here’s the Friday Five: Songs with “shak…” in the title.

Shake Dancer – Little Walter A master of the blues harmonica, Walter got his start in Chicago with Muddy Waters before going off on his own. He was a good singer, but stepped out on occasion and let his harp do the talking. He’s the only member of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame that was inducted specifically for his harmonica playing.

Shake Your Booty – KC and the Sunshine Band Disco wasn’t dead just yet when this song hit the charts in 1976. It went to #1 on the Hot 100, the R&B chart, and in Canada. This is from their appearance on Soul Train.

Shake Your Money Maker – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band I had originally picked the original by Elmore James, but went with this instead, because theirs is the one I heard first. It’s from their 1966 eponymous first album, and that’s guitar hero Mike Bloomfield on slide.

Shake Your Tail Feather – Ray Charles and The Blues Brothers From the 1980 film starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The wall with the mural on it is on 47th Street; during the CTA strike in 1980, I walked from Ashland Avenue to the Illinois Central station at 47th (about five miles, and it was cold) to catch a train to go to work, and it took me past the mural.

Shakin’ All Over – The Guess Who I didn’t know this was a cover of a song by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates from 1960, and a pretty good one at that. I like this one because of the Max Fleischer video.

BONUS! Brush Up Your Shakespeare – James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn from the 1953 movie Kiss Me, Kate which featured music by an an appearance from Cole Porter and starred Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel. Whitmore and Wynn aren’t generally known as song-and-dance men, but they do a good job here.

And there’s your Friday Five plus for October 14, 2016. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Published by John Holton

Internet disc jockey, lover of old TV (especially the commercials), inveterate wise guy.

Published

17 thoughts on “The Friday Five: “Shak…” Songs”

  1. Pingback: The “Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad” Week That Was – The Sound of One Hand Typing

    1. That’s Gordon Jump! I remember when we were out in California in ’67 we thought the pizza there was great. Haven’t been back to Shakey’s…. was it?

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  3. I’ve got a weakness for KC and the Sunshine Band–I found their songs strangely appealing.

    That one is my favorite.

    “Shaky Town” by Jackson Brown is another song that brings back memories for me.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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  6. “Shake, Rattle and Roll”, “Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On” – I think that’s the name.

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  7. Well, I’ve heard the KC and the Sunshine Band song, but the others are new to me. Here’s my question: do you find these connections while perusing YouTube OR do you know these connections then go find them on YouTube? None of my business, I suppose. But your knowledge of popular music is amazing. I always learn something when I stop here.

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    1. I have a good idea of what I’m looking for before I go to YouTube. Chalk it up to a misspent youth and a brain that can remember all these things, but can’t remember why I walked into a room…

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  8. Thanks for taking me up on that suggestion. ‘Shake your tail feather’ and ‘Shake your booty’ are now stuck in my head. As well as the scene in The Blues Brothers where Ray Charles shoots at the kid trying to steal something.

    When we sided our house, we used a style of siding that looks like shingles. It came in panels. Each box of panels had the words “shake shake shake” written all around the edge. With each new box, I would sing that tune. It never got old – well, it did for my wife.

    I would add Jerry Lee Lewis – Whole Lotta Shaking Goin On – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_qU29rVAm8

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