Shake

Album: Shake (1965)
Charted: 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The soul music legend Bobby Womack played guitar on "Shake," which was recorded in 1964. Cooke launched Womack's career, signing and promoting Womack and his brothers, who played as The Valentinos. After Cooke's death, Womack married Cooke's widow, Barbara Campbell.
  • "Shake" was a posthumous hit for Cooke. On December 11, 1964, Cooke was fatally shot in Los Angeles, California by the manager of the Hacienda Motel. Cooke was 33. His death was ruled a justifiable homicide at the time, as Cooke had been drinking and was distressed by an encounter with another resident of the hotel. However, the circumstances of Cooke's death have been widely questioned in the years since.
  • Cooke was a big fan of cha-cha and rhumba; "Shake" was one of several "cha-cha" songs Cooke recorded, along with "Another Saturday Night" and "Everybody Loves to Cha-Cha-Cha."
  • Otis Redding, Eric Burdon and the Animals, Small Faces and The Supremes also recorded versions of "Shake." The Supremes version was included on an album of Sam Cooke covers titled We Remember Sam Cooke.

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn January 3rd, 1965 "Shake" by Sam Cooke entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on February 21st it peaked at #7 (for 1 week) and spent 11 weeks on the Top 100...
    Twenty-three days earlier Mr. Cooke lost his life in Los Angeles...
    It reached #4 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    Was composed by Sam Cooke...
    Otis Redding covered it in 1967, his recorded 'live' version peaked at #16 on the R&B Singles chart...
    The Supremes' 1965 'We Remember Sam Cooke' album peaked at #75 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart...
    R.I.P. Mr. Cooke (1931 - 1964), Mr. Redding (1941 - 1967), and the Supremes' Ms. Ballard (1943 - 1976).
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?