Shakedown by Bob Seger

Album: Greatest Hits 2 (1987)

Charted: 1

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Songfacts®:

Bob Seger is Hall of Fame singer and songwriter with tremendous appeal, but it took some help from Hollywood to earn him an elusive #1 hit. This song was written for the movie Beverly Hills Cop II, starring Eddie Murphy in his role as Axel Foley. The first Beverly Hills Cop had a #1 soundtrack that boosted the popular fortunes of The Pointer Sisters ("Neutron Dance") and Patti LaBelle ("New Attitude"). For the sequel, it was Seger's turn.

Harold Faltermeyer, who wrote the score for the film, wrote the music for "Shakedown" along with Keith Forsey. Bob Seger wrote the lyrics, which relate to Murphy's character.
This was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song, but lost out to Carly Simon's "Let The River Run" from Working Girl.
Glenn Frey, who had a #2 hit (#12 in the UK) with "The Heat Is On" from the original Beverly Hills Cop, was slated to record this song, which had different lyrics at the time. However, a week before it was to be recorded, he had to drop out with laryngitis, so Bob Seger was asked to replace him. However, Bob Seger didn't like the lyrics, and though he retained the same chorus, he rewrote the verses - which also gave him composer credit on the song. Seger recalls, "There were a lot of lyrics about working undercover, I didn't like them, so I threw them all out. I decided to write it my way and they trusted my judgment."
When Seger released his first Greatest Hits album in 1994, he left this song off. Even though it's his biggest hit, Seger felt it wasn't his greatest, and not one of his signature songs.

Comments: 7

Esskayess from Dallas, TxI'd have given the nod to the DD song as well, but this one certainly deserved nomination.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyIf I'm not mistaken; I think "Shakedown" lost the 1987 Oscar for Best Song to "I've Had the Time of My Life" from the movie "Dirty Dancing"!!!
Drew from B\'ham, AlSeriously, can anyone outrock Bob Seger? He's the fastest on the techno draw. He's the techno king, baby! And if any one of y'all hates on Seger, I'ma gunna hafta launch a shakedown, breakdown, and takedown! LOL. "You're busted!"
Drew from B'ham, AlBob Seger rocks! Literally! Seger, Robert Palmer, & "Boss" Springsteen would make a killer Rock trio! I'd like it if "Boss" & Seger were part of Power Station, if not already! I also like the energetic mood of "Shakedown". Someone could *easily* make a disco out of this one. Of course then it would never Seger "out on the floor", as he stated. Although he also said that he wanted that "Old-Time Rock-And-Roll", which "Shakedown" is not. Who knows? Anywho, it's Seger's #1 hit at least in *my world*!
Robert from Reynoldsburg, OhTommy...When most of Seger songs came out in the seventies it was much harder to get a #1 song because the recording industry didn't have the distribution that it had after the early-eighties back then getting a gold record (500,000 units) was a real accomplishment. Aerosmith did not have a #1 song until "I don't want to miss a thing."
Tommy from Ny, NyHow is it that this was his only number 1 song? I don't get it. All the great songs he has and this song is number 1?
Eugene from Minneapolis, MnI was happy for the veteran to make it to number one finally with this record. At the same time I did not care for this song at the time. It isn't bad, it just wasn't for me. Soundtracks can make ya or break ya!

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