About the song
“Shakin'” is a lively rock anthem by American singer Eddie Money, featured on his 1982 album *No Control*, which achieved Platinum certification. Co-written by Money himself along with Elizabeth Myers and Ralph Carter, the song swiftly became a fan favorite and a notable hit on the charts. It peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the impressive position of number 9 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, solidifying its status as one of Money’s enduringly popular tracks.
The accompanying music video for “Shakin'” is memorable for its inclusion of actress and model Patricia Kotero, better known as Apollonia, who gained fame later for her role in the film *Purple Rain*. Her energetic portrayal in the video added to the song’s appeal, capturing the essence of its upbeat and danceable vibe.
Lyrically, “Shakin'” has also drawn attention for its candid and playful content. In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Eddie Money confirmed a long-standing theory about the song’s lyrics, acknowledging that the word “tits” (“Her tits were shakin’ till the middle of the night”) was indeed part of the radio-friendly version as well, reflecting Money’s unabashed style and humor.
Beyond its commercial success, “Shakin'” has left a lasting impact on pop culture. The song was featured in the music video game *Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s*, enhancing its reach to a new generation of fans. Additionally, the music video itself gained exposure on an episode of *Beavis and Butt-Head*, where the irreverent duo famously enjoyed Money’s performance, particularly his expressive facial expressions while watching Apollonia dance.
Eddie Money’s “Shakin'” remains a quintessential example of 1980s rock, celebrated for its infectious energy, memorable lyrics, and enduring appeal across multiple generations of music enthusiasts. Its inclusion on various compilations and its continued popularity in media underscore its status as a timeless classic in the realm of rock music history.
Video
Lyrics
Rosanna’s daddy had a car she loved to drive
Stole the keys one night and took me for a ride
Turned up the music just as loud as it could go
Blew out the speakers in her daddy’s radio
She was shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Snappin’ her fingers (oh-oh-oh-oh)
She was movin’ round and round (oh-oh-oh-oh)
That girl was shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
We started drinkin’ wasn’t thinkin’ too straight
She was doin’ 80 and she slammed on the brakes
Got so high we had to pull to the side
We did some shakin’ ’til the middle of the night
Shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Snappin’ her fingers (oh-oh-oh-oh)
She was up and down and round and round (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I got a little nervous
When she took her coat off
She looked so pretty
Ah, yeah
I’m always talkin’, baby, talkin’ too much
I love that little girl and I just can’t get enough
It takes a lonely night with nowhere to go
Just call Rosanna and it’s a hell of a show
And she’s shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Snappin’ her fingers (oh-oh-oh-oh)
She’ll be movin’ round and round (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Oh, she’s shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Snappin’ her fingers (oh-oh-oh-oh)
She’ll be movin’ up and down (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Round and round and round
And shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Sha-sha-sha-sha-sha, she was shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Sha-sha-sha-sha-sha, she was shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Sha-sha-sha-sha-sha, she was shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Sha-sha-sha-sha-sha, she was shakin’ (oh-oh-oh-oh)