The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Now baby just tell me when
I'll pick you up then
If you'll be ready
I'll be there at ten
Now baby just tell me when
You been drinking
Too much and
You feel like leaving
Now shake it
Like you mean it
Now fake it
Like I see it
Now come on, baby, shake it
Like you mean it
Now take it
Like I need it
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
The head games you love to play
I don't wanna play
I don't wanna play
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
Now baby just tell me to
Say I like you
I'll say it anyway
If that's alright too
Now baby I won?t ask you
If you don't want to
I won't hurt you
Unless you want me to
Oh, shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
You shake it
And I'm gonna take it
Oh, if you shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
If you shake it
Well then I'm gonna take it
Shake it like you mean it
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
The head games you love to play
I don?t wanna play
I don?t wanna play
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
My face that haunts you
It pushes you back to
A corner in your bedroom
Well, baby, just don't be scared
When I touch you there
Don't act like you don?t care
Is it my face that haunts you?
And pushes you back to
A corner in your bedroom
Well, darling, just don't be scared
When I touch you there
Don't act like you don?t care
Don't be scared
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
The head games you love to play
I don't wanna play
I don't wanna play
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
Oh, shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
You shake it
And I'm gonna take it
Oh, if you shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
If you shake it
Well then I'm gonna take it
And I need it (Repeat 6X)
Do you mean it?
And I need it
I'll pick you up then
If you'll be ready
I'll be there at ten
Now baby just tell me when
You been drinking
Too much and
You feel like leaving
Now shake it
Like you mean it
Now fake it
Like I see it
Now come on, baby, shake it
Like you mean it
Now take it
Like I need it
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
The head games you love to play
I don't wanna play
I don't wanna play
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
Now baby just tell me to
Say I like you
I'll say it anyway
If that's alright too
Now baby I won?t ask you
If you don't want to
I won't hurt you
Unless you want me to
Oh, shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
You shake it
And I'm gonna take it
Oh, if you shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
If you shake it
Well then I'm gonna take it
Shake it like you mean it
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
The head games you love to play
I don?t wanna play
I don?t wanna play
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
My face that haunts you
It pushes you back to
A corner in your bedroom
Well, baby, just don't be scared
When I touch you there
Don't act like you don?t care
Is it my face that haunts you?
And pushes you back to
A corner in your bedroom
Well, darling, just don't be scared
When I touch you there
Don't act like you don?t care
Don't be scared
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
The head games you love to play
I don't wanna play
I don't wanna play
On our first date you run away
And come back another day
Phone tag you know I hate
Oh, shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
You shake it
And I'm gonna take it
Oh, if you shake it girl
I'll fake it girl
If you shake it
Well then I'm gonna take it
And I need it (Repeat 6X)
Do you mean it?
And I need it
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Shake It Lyrics as written by Mark E Curry Brian Banks
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.