13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake

Reading Time: 15 min read

13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake features music courtesy of DaBaby, Luke Hemmings, Peaches & Herb, Sexyy Red, and Taylor Swift.

Get ready to SHAKE, people! Hopefully, the only thing you’re shaking is your booty as you dance to the sweet tunes on 13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake! Woo! In some cases, however, SHAKE comes in a different tense, and a different context. In one instance, there’s a case of the SHAKES. In two other instances, we are SHOOK. The point is that the shaking that occurs in 13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake isn’t merely limited to SHAKE itself. 13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake features music courtesy of DaBaby, Luke Hemmings, Peaches & Herb, Sexyy Red, and Taylor Swift among others. So, without further ado, let’s shake it something fierce on these 13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake!

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1.Luke Hemmings, “Shakes”

2.Sexyy Red, “Shake Yo Dreads”

3.DaBaby, “SHAKE SUMN”

4.Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)”

5.Stephen Sanchez, “Shake”

6.Mariah Carey, “Shake It Off”

7.KC & The Sunshine Band, “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty”

8.Robin Thicke, “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy” (Ft. Nicki Minaj) 

9.Bauuer, “Harlem Shake”

10.Meghan Trainor, “Shook”

11.Denzel Curry, “Shake 88”

12.AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long”

13.Peaches & Herb, “Shake Your Groove Thing”

1. Luke Hemmings, “Shakes”

boy (EP) // Arista // 2024

“Your touch is deadly and I wanna call / Is it better to feel this or feel nothin’ at all?” That is the question, Luke Hemmings! Hemmings, the lead vocalist of 5 Seconds of Summer, steps out on his own once more with his EP, boy. Leading the charge is the radiant single, “Shakes”. Hemmings penned “Shakes” alongside producer Sammy Witte. Witte ‘puts his foot’ into the production, crafting a warm and inviting backdrop for Luke to sing over. “Shakes” proves to be a fabulous ballad for the handsome Australian singer. Luke matches the warmth of the backdrop, delivering smooth, nuanced vocals. He sounds especially refined in the verses, singing with poise – more of a cool, calm, and collected performance. In the chorus, he continues to wow, showing off his upper register, in all of its glory. As to be expected, the chorus ‘ups the ante’ with more rhythm and energy, as well as the most memorable lyrics and melody of “Shakes”:

“Honey, I just wanna be yours, wanna be yours

Inside your dreams tonight

Oh, no, oh, no

Can’t shake this feelin’.”

And for good measure, there’s a post-chorus, which emphasizes the word – wait for it – SHAKE! Thematically, loneliness and matters of the heart affect Hemmings (“Oh, I can’t help but chase you, my butterfly”). All told, Luke Hemmings impresses on “Shakes”.

Appears in :

Bops That Pop: March 2024

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2. Sexyy Red, “Shake Yo Dreads”

Hood Hottest Princess (Deluxe) // Open Shift Distribution/gamma. // 2023

In her raunchy song, “Pound Town”, rapper Sexyy Red made it clear that “You know them dread heads do it the best.” On “Shake Yo Dreads”, which graces Hood Hottest Princess (Deluxe), she encourages everybody to do just that – “SHAKE YO DREADS, SHAKE YO DREADS, SHAKE YO DREADS (SHAKE ‘EM).” Ooh-wee! She does vary things in the second half of the chorus, where she spits, “BUST YO HEAD, BUST YO HEAD, BUST YO HEAD.” Depth is not the modus operandi. “Shake Yo Dreads” is all about a$$ and head shaking, a malicious-sounding trap beat (Kat Lightning and AyoCBass produce), and Sexyy Red being true to her unapologetic and outlandish self. In the first verse, she makes it clear, “I don’t fuck with suckers, all my bitches be some hitters / I like fuckin’ with drillers, d-dread-head killers.” She drops a bomb when she asserts, “Lo-look better than yo bitch, I can tell her coochie stink.” The second verse isn’t any more intellectual. She often repeats herself, asserting, “You ain’t gang,” “You a stain,” “Fuck this fame,” “Fuck the opps,” and “Gimme top.” I mean, it wouldn’t be a great rap banger without an oral sex reference, right? Make what you will about “Shake Yo Dreads”. The substance is lacking, but her energy is not.

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3. DaBaby, “SHAKE SUMN”

CALL DA FIREMAN // Interscope // 2023

“I don’t know how to dance but can lean / And make the ghetto bitches put they hands on they knees.” Well, making the ghetto bitches put they hands on they knees is a talent, too, DaBaby… Yeah, I’m kidding. However, in the chorus of “SHAKE SUMN,” the opening track from his three-song single, CALL DA FIREMAN, that’s what the Grammy-nominated rapper asserts. He does so with a big personality and a compelling and agile cadence and flow. DaBaby, who self-inflicted his career woes, delivers a brief but entertaining rap banger. He doesn’t go deep lyrically (ass-shaking anthems tend not to) but his delivery and bars are engaging. See the sole verse:

“Yeah, call the fireman, she a hot girl, put her out

Ooh, I just broke a sweat in this bitch, get a towel

She said, ‘Nothin’ been happenin’ now, it’s a drought’

I tell her, put her ass in the air, dick her down (Ooh).”

Gah-day-um! The verse is raw. The section to beat, however, remains the chorus. The post-chorus is key too, where he encourages her… them… “come shake some.” Woo! “SHAKE SUMN” can’t be mentioned without shouting out that ear-catching instrumental produced by Charlie Heat. That beat = fire ! Notably, there is a remixed version that features the one-and-only, Sexyy Red.

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4. Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)”

1989 (Taylor’s Version) • Taylor Swift • 2023

“I go on too many dates / But I can’t make them stay / At least that’s what people say, mm-mm / That’s what people say, mm-mm.” True. Taylor Swift has been firmly entrenched in the pop culture space since the aughts. Amazingly, the Grammy-winning musician has remained ‘such a big deal’ for so many years. “Shake It Off” was a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released on the original version of 1989 in 2014. The re-recorded “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” from the dominant 1989 (Taylor’s Version) still packs a sizable punch. Even as rerecording a massive pop record (and the entire album) is an arduous task, the message of “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” remains tried and true.

Folks have lots to say about Swift and her many relationships, breakups, and such. However, despite criticism, skepticism, and people being people, Swift isn’t going to let it deter her or break her down. In the pre-chorus, she says it best: “But I keep cruisin’ / Can’t stop, won’t stop movin’.” Look back between 2014 and 2023. Has the woman stopped cruisin’? NOPE! In the second verse, she shows resolve despite the critics: “I never miss a beat / I’m lightnin’ on my feet / And that’s what they don’t see.” Well, given how big Swift is, these days, everybody sees you, Taylor! The biggest moment of the song is undoubtedly the chorus – one of the most sing-along gems of the 2010s:

“‘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

Shake it off, I shake it off (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).”

MIC DROP! You can’t mention “Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version)” without highlighting the tongue-in-cheek interlude and bridge. Also, the production (Swift and Christopher Rowe) remains ear-catching, More than the sound, however, the big takeaway is don’t let people bring and break you down – shake it off!!!

Appears in :

Taylor Swift, Shake It Off (Taylor’s Version): Music Lifts No. 58 (2023)

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5. Stephen Sanchez, “Shake”

Angel Face // Stephen Sanchez / Mercury / Republic // 2023

“So, come over, little baby, and shake it over here with me /… My heart’s a beatin’ like a drum, just a-lookin’ for my tambourine, woo-ooh.” Steven Sanchez took both a conceptual and retro approach to his 2023, debut album, Angel Face. “Shake,” the seventh track from the LP, fits the concept, yet also functions soundly as a standalone, retro-pop track. Drawing the 1950s as inspiration, and referencing Elvis in the first verse, there is no secret that “Shake” hearkens back to the past. Still, even with “Tryna get a piece of all her Betty Boop-in’ love,” the theme is universal – trying to dance with this fine girl. Sanchez keeps things brief – under two minutes in duration. In addition to the old-school vibes, and unique vocals, and a big personality exhibited by Stephen, the instrumental shines, with some awesome breaks. Prepare to shake alongside “Shake!”

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6. Mariah Carey, “Shake It Off”

The Emancipation of Mimi // Mariah Carey / The Island Def Jam Music Group // 2005

“(I gotta shake it off) ‘Cause the loving ain’t the same / And you keep on playing games like you know I’m here to stay.” Oh, snap, Mariah Carey! Nearly a decade before Taylor Swift first informed us to “Shake It Off”, Carey stated that she had to “Shake It Off”. “Shake It Off” appeared as the third track on her multi-platinum comeback album, The Emancipation of Mimi, released in 2005. In the chorus of the hit, which peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard 100, Carey adds, “Gotta make that move / Find somebody who appreciates all the love I give / Boy, I gotta (shake, shake it off) gotta do what’s best for me / Baby, and that means I gotta (Shake you off).” We call stand to take Carey’s advice!

Carey penned this contemporary R&B alongside Johntá Austin and producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. Slickly produced, the instrumental is the perfect fuel for Mariah’s fire. She sings with ease, agilely navigating these unfortunate matters of the heart. In the first verse, she states, “Well, at first I didn’t know but now it’s clear to me / You would cheat with all your freaks and lie compulsively.” Well, that’s a compelling reason to exit! There’s even more evidence to support her exit in the second verse: “I found out about a gang of your dirty little deeds / With this one and that one by the pool, on the beach, in the streets.” The dude’s been a bad boy, hence why Carey tells his trifling ass to “Save this recording because I’m never coming back home.” The Emancipation of Mimi was that album back in 2005 and “Shake It Off” was a key part of the success. Two decades later, we’re still shaking off those dirty, no-good boys!

Appears in :

Mariah Carey, Shake It Off: Bangerz N Bopz No. 32 (2024)

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7. KC & The Sunshine Band, “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty”

KC & the Sunshine Band, Pt. 3… and More // Warner Strategic Marketing // 2004

“Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake / Shake your booty! Shake your booty!” Woo! KC & the Sunshine Band had some hits back in the day. Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch had a mighty pen game, writing songs for the band as well as others (see George McCrae). The energetic, fun, and utterly infectious “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty” reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. Notably, it’s one of five no. 1 hits by the band. In 2022, the single was certified gold by the RIAA. Depth is not the modus operandi, but it’s hard not to move the body, particularly the booty, to this one!

“Ah everybody, get on the floor, and let’s dance!” Fo’ sho’ KC & the Sunshine Band! “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty” begins with a bang thanks to a lit groove – drums, rhythm guitar, and a robust bass line. Furthermore, the horn arrangement is fabulous. Even though the booty shaking is set in a minor key, it’s one of the happier minor-keyed records you’ll ever hear. Casey sings jubilantly, even with ultra-simple lyrics. Regardless, those potent words, particularly in the infectious chorus, incite the discoing. Honestly, nothing more needs to be said regarding “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty” as this disco-era classic speaks for itself. “Ah, don’t fight the feeling!”

Appears in :

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8. Robin Thicke, “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy” (Ft. Nicki Minaj) 

Sex Therapy: The Experience // Star Trak, LLC // 2009 

“She shakin’ it for daddy (Yeah) / She shakin’ it for me / She liftin’ up her ass, and she drop it to the beat (Beat) / She shakin’ it so fast, for the cash (Ching-a-ling).” Ooh, wee! Long before blurring those lines, Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Robin Thicke unleashed “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy” on his 2009, sensually driven album, Sex Therapy: The Experience. On “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy,” Thicke tapped an up-and-coming Nicki Minaj for the assist, while producer Polow da Don provided him with a kick ass backdrop.  Minaj, who is crucial to the excellence of “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy,” performs the first and fourth verses, kicking some serious ass with her rhymes. In the first, not only is she “on that money shit,” she drops some clever sexed-up bars such as “Get da sloppy, toppy roger” and “‘Cause I ball, no testicles.” That doesn’t even include lines about being “Flyer than an eagle that’s balding,” following it up later with, “I stay balling, I don’t mean Spalding.” In the fourth verse, we get a Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle reference, and fittingly, “Stick shift the ding-a-ling, ball like Yao Ming-a-ling.” Robin also has his own share of fantastic moments.    

Thicke is honest about his horniness in the second verse: “She got me jerkin’ in the back.” He thinks with his D as he talks about how “She make that booty roll, when she comin’ down the pole.” Sure, he also talks about love, but there’s also lots of money being spent on her (“Shit, I could’ve bought a car”). Similarly, in the third verse, the focus is on ass. Throw in the booty shakin’ chorus and song title and it’s no surprise that this entertaining, sexy song lacks any semblance of depth or substance. Robin Thicke enjoys sex – that’s the big takeaway from “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy”.

Appears in :  

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9. Bauuer, “Harlem Shake”

“Harlem Shake” // Mad Decent // 2013

“Con lost terroristas!” And so, begins a hit for the ages, “Harlem Shake”! In 2013, the viral song by DJ/producer, Bauuer (Harry Bauer Rodrigues), spent five weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That’s the good news. The less positive news is the fact that Bauuer has yet to chart another song on the pop charts. In other words, Bauuer and “Harlem Shake” earn the distinction of one-hit wonder. Still, the success that Rodrigues earned with “Harlem Shake” is impressive. Following the memorable Spanish intro, Bauuer gives us a sick, electrifying build-up via synths and the beat. It leads to the centerpiece of “Harlem Shake”: the chorus and of course, the drop! “Then do the Harlem Shake (Shake!) / Ey (Shake!).” That’s about the size of it, lyrically. “Harlem Shake” is a vibe, built on an infectious, minimalist sound, and of course, its ability to make you dance randomly (the YouTube videos were out of control). Essentially, this song/viral dance could be likened to the popularity of “Macarena” (Los Del Rio) in the 1990s, though not as dominant. What more is there to say? “Harlem Shake” needs no extensive analysis or commentary – it speaks for itself.

Appears in :

Bauuer, Harlem Shake: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 6 (2024)

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10. Meghan Trainor, “Shook”

Takin’ It Back // Epic // 2022

“Tell me where you seen a booty like this (Booty like this)? / Don’t get distracted when you handle these hips.” Ooh-wee! When it comes to Meghan Trainor, ‘bass’ and ‘booty’ seem to always be part of the equation. After all, “I say, booties like this don’t come ‘round often /… Get down on your knees and worship me like a goddess.” Oh, snap! In 2022, via the fifth track from Takin’ It Back, the Grammy-winning pop artist had us all “Shook.” Well… at least she had this nameless dude shook, and encouraged him to bow TF down! “‘Cause after one night, you’ll look for diamond rings,” she asserts in the first verse, adding, “Yeah, that’s what I call Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” In the second verse (excerpted at the top), she continues, “Now, are you certified to freak with this bitch? / ‘Cause if so, you could have my name on your lips.” Da-yum! She penned this energetic, confident, and sexy cut alongside brothers Justin Trainor and Ryan Trainor, Sean Douglas, and producer, Gian Stone. Stone ensures the instrumental possesses that retro, old-school. Meghan is true to self, exuding attitude and confidence and, of course, delivering an infectious, tuneful chorus:

“Baby, I got you shook, got you shook, got you shook

… I’ll make you break a sweat, maybe you’re obsessed

… Try to keep your composure, ‘cause I’m comin’ over

Baby, I got you shook, got you shook.”

Are you shook? Of course, you are!

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11. Denzel Curry, “Shake 88”

ZUU // Loma Vista // 2019

“Nothin’ but tutti-fruity / Get on the floor if you got that booty, booty!” ZUU, the 2019 album by Carol City, Florida rapper Denzel Curry may only run 29 minutes, but it’s a worthwhile 29 minutes. Ultimately, there’s never a dull moment, with Curry maintaining high energy and dropping some stellar bars. Even a low-IQ banger like the song at hand, “Shake 88,” is worthwhile. “Shake 88” is exactly what you think it is – an ass-shaking anthem. It’s not deep, nor is it meant to be in the least. Curry says it best himself: “She gon’ shake that ass ‘cause she only live once.” Notably, “Shake 88” features an outro by Sam Sneak, complementing the ‘ass-shaking’ sentiment of the record. We could say more, but really, there’s nothing more to say.

Appears in :

15 Fantastic Booty-Shaking Anthems (2019)

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12. AC/DC, “You Shook Me All Night Long”  

Back in Black // Leidseplein Presse B.V. // 1980  

“She was a fast machine; she kept her motor clean.”  Whoa, whoa, whoa, AC/DC! This is a different sort of motor that lead singer Brian Johnson is referring to.  For more context on the Back in Black hit, “You Shook Me All Night Long”, Johnson memorably sings, “She told me to come, but I was already there.” Wow… no sexual innuendo whatsoever ! And if that’s not enough evidence of what’s going down on this outlandish, guitar-heavy rock gem, what about the fact that “… The walls start shaking, the Earth was quaking / My mind was aching, and we were making it.” The earthquake, my friends, is coitus. 

“And you shook me all night long  

Yeah you, shook me all night long.”   

Clearly, the sex was out of this world – amazing! In the second verse, Johnson mentions a “seduction line,” and asserts, “Made a meal outta me, and come back for more.” A meal, huh? Use your imagination… It’s understandable why, “Had to cool me down to take another round.”  There’s science behind that. Regardless, the plan is to go again, and by go, Johnson is referring to doing it.  The thing is, unless you have virgin ears or live totally under a rock, it doesn’t take much analysis to understand this one. “You Shook Me All Night Long” is what it is – a kickass, hard rock song about sex. It’s a classic tale of man and woman banging… boning… doing it…fucking… getting down… hunching… making it do…  Honestly, is sex really that outlandish when it’s universal and everyone seems to enjoy it? Food for thought! 

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13. Peaches & Herb, “Shake Your Groove Thing”

2 Hot! // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1978

“Shake your groove thing / Shake your groove thing / Yeah, yeah / Show ‘em how we do it now.” Ooh wee! Peaches & Herb experienced their most pop success with their 1978 album, 2 Hot!. Notably, with the duo, Herb was Herb (Herb Fame), while Peaches was various people . On 2 Hot!, which yielded both “Reunited” and the song at hand, “Shake Your Groove Thing”, Linda Greene was Peaches. “Shake Your Groove Thing,” the second track from the album, was written by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren. In addition to his writing credit, Perren serves as the producer. Ultimately, with the writing of Fekaris and Perren, and the incredible chemistry and voices of Fame and Greene, “Shake Your Groove Thing” would peak at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, second only to hitting no. 1 with “Reunited”.

The production work on “Shake Your Groove Thing” is bright and exuberant. The percussive groove is epic, instantly making your body move. Specifically, the keyboard work is awesome, while the orchestration is marvelous – those strings and winds! Of course, when it comes to the writing and most memorable moment, it’s none other than the infectious chorus, excerpted above in its simplistic glory. The verses are fun too, also maintaining a sense of simplicity – not doing too much or going too deep. “Let’s show the world we can dance / Bad enough to strut our stuff,” the duo sings, continuing, “The music gives us a chance / We do more out on the floor.” Word! Of course, other fun lyrical moments include “Funky sounds / Wall to wall / We’re bumping booties / Having us a ball, y’all,” and, of course, those above “Feel that beat, never stop / Oh, hold me tight, spin me like a top.” To reiterate, the vocal chemistry allows this joint to be hella successful, making “Shake Your Groove Thing” one of those timeless, feel-good soul classics. All told, “Shake Your Groove Thing” is an incredibly fun six minutes of 70s disco/funk/soul.

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13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Epic, gamma., Interscope, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Leidseplein Presse B.V., Loma Vista, Mad Decent, Mariah Carey, Mercury, Open Shift Distribution, Republic, Star Trak LLC, Stephen Sanchez, Taylor Swift, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner Strategic Marketing; Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels; Aiko23, OpenClipart-Vectors, Sam Mino from Pixabay]

13 Songs That Make You Wanna Shake | Playlist

Published by the musical hype on May 13, 2024May 13, 2024