Shake

Album: Live in Europe (1967)
Charted: 28 47
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Songfacts®:

  • "Shake" was written and originally recorded by Sam Cooke. Cooke's version reached #7 on the US pop charts. Cooke was a huge influence on Otis Redding; along with "Shake," Redding also recorded covers of Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," "Chain Gang," "Cupid," "Nothing Can Change This Love," "Wonderful World," and "You Send Me."
  • In 1966, the live version of UK's pop music show Ready Steady Go! devoted a whole episode to a live performance by Redding. One of the highlights of the show was a rousing version of "Shake," which featured Redding playing with British artists Eric Burdon, lead singer of The Animals, and Chris Farlowe.
  • Redding's version was elected to the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

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