• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Blues Scene about music & art.

Gov’t Mule Shares Single ‘Made My Peace’ From Upcoming Album

June 6, 2023

Grainne Duffy’s Inspirational New Album ‘Dirt Woman Blues’ Achieves Chart Success In Record Time

June 6, 2023

Where’s Chicago’s Blues Museum?

June 5, 2023

Keb’ Mo’: Back Fence Rambles with a Blues Sage

June 5, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
Advertise
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»News»Language of the Blues: SHAKE
News

Language of the Blues: SHAKE

Debra DeviBy Debra DeviApril 15, 2016No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

This is the latest installment of our weekly series The Language of the Blues, in which author and rock musician Debra Devi explores the meaning of a word or phrase found in the blues.

Grab a signed copy of Devi’s entertaining & award-winning glossary The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu (Foreword by Dr. John) at Bluescentric.com. Also available as an eBook.

Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf (photo: Sandy Schoenfeld The Language of the Blues)
Hubert Sumlin, Howlin’ Wolf (photo: Sandy Schoenfeld The Language of the Blues)

Depending on the decade, there are many different meanings in the blues for shake, including a rent party (1920s), an erotic dance (1930s), or to extort or “shake down” someone (1940s). Shake is also slang for poor-quality marijuana that is mostly stems and seeds.

The cry “Shake it!” was shouted to encourage dancers at juke joints and rent parties–not to mention women walking down the street.

Guitarist Hubert Sumlin told me how he and Howlin’ Wolf came up with the title for their hip-shaking song “Shake It for Me.” Sumlin explained, “You know womens is the thing. They all look good to you. Although some you gonna find looks better than others. We used to sit, and your eyes gonna look. Wolf, he’d say, ‘You see that woman’s booty? Shake it for me, oh man.’ And I said, ‘Let’s record it!’ And that’s what we did.”

Pick up a signed copy of The Language of the Blues today!
Songs:
“Shake It for Me”- Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Burnett)
“Shake Your Moneymaker”- Elmore James

Video:
Howlin’ Wolf – “Shake It for Me”

Howlin' Wolf Hubert Sumlin shake The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous ArticleJoseph “Smokey” Holman Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma
Next Article Tweed Funk's "Come Together" Delivers The Goods
Debra Devi
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Debra Devi is a rock musician and the author of the award-winning blues glossary The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu (foreword by Dr. John). www.debradevi.com

Related Posts

Gov’t Mule Shares Single ‘Made My Peace’ From Upcoming Album

June 6, 2023

Gaye Adegbalola Releases ‘Satisfied’ Anthology, Out Today Via VizzTone

June 2, 2023

Blues Guitarist Laurie Morvan Announces Tour, Shares Accompanying Live Video

June 1, 2023

Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos Share Title Track From New Album ‘Cheat the Devil’

May 31, 2023

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Advertisment
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.