Rock and roll song written by Jesse Stone (under his working name Charles E. Calhoun). The song was first recorded in 1954 by Big Joe Turner. Bill Haley & His Comets’ cover version, released later in the year, had partly sanitised lyrics in an attempt to be more palatable to white audiences as well as a less bluesy, more “pop” arrangement.
This cleanup of lyrics meant removal of references considered sexual in nature, such as lines about “the devil in nylon hose”, “you make me roll my eyes, baby make me grit my teeth”, and “you wear those dresses, the sun comes shining through”. The most provocative sexual simile in Turner’s version of the song, “I’m like a one-eyed cat, peeping in the sea food store”, was left untouched in the Haley version, but the following line, “I can look at you ‘n’ tell you ain’t no child no more” was changed. Haley was blind in one eye, which may account for retaining the line.
Elvis Presley’s 1956 version combined Haley’s arrangement with Turner’s lyrics, though Elvis used Haley’s lyrics when performing the song on his first national television appearance.
Elvis Presley recorded the song twice in a studio setting: a 1955 demo recorded during his Sun Records tenure (which was not released until the 1990s), and as a 1956 single for RCA Victor, although it was not a major hit.
Other notable recordings of ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ include a version by Arthur Conley which was a hit in 1968, as well as cover versions of Turner’s and Haley’s arrangements by The Beatles, Johnny Horton, Swinging Blue Jeans, Fats Domino, Huey Lewis and the News. The song was also used as the closing theme music for the 1980s comedy-mystery film Clue.
Kim performed this song together with Jools Holland at the Rock-a-Baby concert.
Lyrics
Well get out of that bed, wash your face and hands
Get out of that bed, wash your face and hands
Well get in that kitchen
Make some noise with the pots and pans
I believe it to my soul you’re the devil in nylon hose
I believe it to my soul you’re the devil in nylon hose
For the harder I work the faster my money goes
Well I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
Well you won’t do right
To save your doggone soul
Shake rattle and roll
I’m like the one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
I’m like the one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
Well I can look at you tell you ain’t no child no more
I believe you’re doing me wrong and now I know
I believe you’re doing me wrong and now I know
‘Cause the harder I work the faster my money goes
Well I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
Well you won’t do right
To save your doggone soul
Play it again!
I went over the hill, way down underneath
I went over the hill, way down underneath
You make me roll my eyes
And then you make me grit my teeth
Well I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake, rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
Well you won’t do right
To save your doggone soul