Shakin' All Over
Encyclopedia
"Shakin' All Over" is a rock and roll
song originally performed by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
. It was written by frontman Johnny Kidd and reached #1 in the United Kingdom
in August 1960. The musicians who performed on the recording
were Johnny Kidd (vocals), Alan Caddy
(guitar
), Brian Gregg (bass
), Clem Cattini
(drum
s) and Joe Moretti (lead guitar
).
The original recording was not a hit outside of Europe. Instead, "Shakin' All Over" gained fame in North America
after the Canadian band The Guess Who
covered it in early 1965, where it became a #1 hit in Canada, and a #22 hit in the US. The Guess Who had previously been known as "Chad Allan and the Expressions" prior to the release of "Shakin' All Over", but the group's Canadian label (Quality Records
) issued the record as by "Guess Who?", in an attempt to imply that the record might be by a British Invasion
act -- perhaps even The Beatles
. The group subsequently permanently changed their name to The Guess Who, and went on to a long Top 40 career.
The Guess Who's version also became a #27 hit in Australia, but another "Shakin' All Over" cover became a national #1 hit in late 1965 for Normie Rowe
. Rowe's version of the track (backed by "Que Sera Sera") was one of the biggest-selling Australian singles of the decade.
Also covered by:
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
song originally performed by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
Johnny Kidd and the Pirates
Johnny Kidd & The Pirates were an English rock 'n' roll group led by singer/songwriter Johnny Kidd. They scored numerous hit songs from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, including the rock & roll classics 'Shakin' All Over' and 'Please Don't Touch', but their influence far outshines their chart...
. It was written by frontman Johnny Kidd and reached #1 in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in August 1960. The musicians who performed on the recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
were Johnny Kidd (vocals), Alan Caddy
Alan Caddy
Alan Caddy was a guitarist, arranger, record producer and session musician.He was born in Chelsea, London and educated at Emanuel School, and the Royal Academy of Music...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Brian Gregg (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), Clem Cattini
Clem Cattini
Clem Cattini , is an English rock and roll drummer who was a member of The Tornados before becoming well known for his work as a session musician...
(drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s) and Joe Moretti (lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
).
History
Kidd was quoted as saying:"When I was going round with a bunch of lads and we happened to see a girl who was a real sizzler we used to say that she gave us 'quivers down the membranes'. It was a standard saying with us referring to any attractive girl…..I can honestly say that it was this more than anything that inspired me to write 'Shakin' All Over'."
The original recording was not a hit outside of Europe. Instead, "Shakin' All Over" gained fame in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
after the Canadian band The Guess Who
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
covered it in early 1965, where it became a #1 hit in Canada, and a #22 hit in the US. The Guess Who had previously been known as "Chad Allan and the Expressions" prior to the release of "Shakin' All Over", but the group's Canadian label (Quality Records
Quality Records
Quality Records is a Canadian entertainment company which released music albums in Canada on behalf of American record labels, and also released recordings by Canadian artists...
) issued the record as by "Guess Who?", in an attempt to imply that the record might be by a British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
act -- perhaps even The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. The group subsequently permanently changed their name to The Guess Who, and went on to a long Top 40 career.
The Guess Who's version also became a #27 hit in Australia, but another "Shakin' All Over" cover became a national #1 hit in late 1965 for Normie Rowe
Normie Rowe
Norman John "Normie" Rowe AM was a major male solo performer of Australian pop music in the 1960s. Known for his bright and edgy tenor voice and dynamic stage presence, many of Rowe's most successful recordings were produced by Pat Aulton, house producer for the Sunshine Records, Spin Records and...
. Rowe's version of the track (backed by "Que Sera Sera") was one of the biggest-selling Australian singles of the decade.
Other versions
- In 1965, The Guess WhoThe Guess WhoThe Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
/Chad Allan and the Expressions covered the song on a single, which reached #1 in Canada, #22 in the U.S. - In 1965, Donna LorenDonna LorenDonna Loren is a singer and actress. A very prolific performer in the 1960s, commenciong while still attending Venice High School in western Los Angeles, she was the Dr Pepper spokesperson from 1963–1968, prolific vocalist on ABC-TV’s Shindig, and a cast member of the American International...
performed the song on the television series ShindigShindig!Shindig! was an American musical variety series which aired on ABC from September 16, 1964 to January 8, 1966. The show was hosted by Jimmy O'Neill, a disc jockey in Los Angeles at the time who also created the show along with his wife Sharon Sheeley and production executive Art Stolnitz....
. She later recorded the song for her 2010 album Love It Away. - In 1967, The song was covered by Josephine Siao and Lui Kie in The Lady Killer. This Cantonese rendition was one of the best hits in the 1960s in Hong Kong.
- In 1969, Performed by Humble PieHumble Pie (band)Humble Pie was a rock band from England, finding success both in the UK and the US. They are remembered for songs such as "Black Coffee" "30 Days in the Hole", "I Don't Need No Doctor", and "Natural Born Bugie"...
on Live at the Whiskey A-Go-Go. - Performed many times by The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, (sometimes in a medley with "SpoonfulSpoonful"Spoonful" is a blues standard written by Willie Dixon and first recorded in 1960 by Howlin' Wolf. It is loosely based on "A Spoonful Blues", a song recorded in 1929 by Charley Patton , itself related to "All I Want Is A Spoonful" by Papa Charlie Jackson and "Cocaine Blues" by Luke Jordan...
"), perhaps most famously at Woodstock in 1969 and on Live at LeedsLive at LeedsLive at Leeds is The Who's first live album, and is the only live album that was released while the group were still recording and performing regularly. Initially released in the United States on 16 May 1970, by Decca and MCA and the United Kingdom on 23 May 1970, by Track and Polydor, the album...
in 1970. - In 1971, The Flamin' Groovies covered the song on the reissue of Teenage HeadTeenage HeadTeenage Head can refer to:* Teenage Head , a 1971 album by The Flamin' Groovies* Teenage Head , the title track from that album...
. - In 1976, RabbitRabbit (band)Rabbit, Originally "The Cherries" was an Australian hard rock band from Newcastle, Australia. The band was formed in 1973 by Mark Tinson , Phil Screen and Jim Porteus . Vocalist Greg Douglas joined in 1974 and was replaced in October of that year by Dave Evans, formerly of AC/DC...
included the song on their album "Too Much Rock 'n' Roll". - In 1986, the Beach BoysThe Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
sampled the vibrato guitar break in their hit "Rock 'n' Roll to the RescueRock 'n' Roll to the Rescue"Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue" is a single released by The Beach Boys on June 9, 1986. It was recorded for their 1986 greatest hits compilation Made in U.S.A.. The single reached #68 on the U.S. Billboard pop singles chart. Brian Wilson sang most of the lead vocals, with Al Jardine, and Carl Wilson...
". - In 1986, Chris SpeddingChris SpeddingChris Spedding is an English rock and roll and jazz guitarist, best known for his session work. Allmusic states - "Spedding is one of the UK's most versatile session guitarists, and has had a long career on two continents that saw him tackle nearly every style of rock and roll, as well as...
included this song on his 1986 album Enemy Within. - In 1989, CowsCows (band)Cows are a post-hardcore/punk blues band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1998. They were known for a unique mixture of punk rock and blues played with large amounts of noise and surreal humour; their music is often considered noise rock...
recorded a noise rock version of the song on their "Daddy Has a TailDaddy Has a TailDaddy Has a Tail is the second studio album by Minneapolis-based noise rock band Cows and their first to be released through Amphetamine Reptile Records in July, 1989.- Recording :...
" album with improvised lyrics since the lead singer did not know the actual lyrics to the song. - In 1989, Steve MarriottSteve MarriottStephen Peter Marriott , popularly known as Steve Marriott, was an English musician, songwriter, and frontman of several notable rock and roll bands, spanning over two decades...
and Steve Parsons covered it for the Canadian Horror Film, Gnaw: Food of the Gods Part 2. - In 1993, Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
recorded a live medleyMedley (music)In music, a medley is a piece composed from parts of existing pieces, usually three, played one after another, sometimes overlapping. They are common in popular music, and most medleys are songs rather than instrumental. A medley which is a remixed series is called a megamix, often done with tracks...
version of the song with "Gloria" on his double live album A Night in San FranciscoA Night in San FranciscoA Night in San Francisco is a live album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1994. Guest artists were John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells and Jimmy Witherspoon as well as Morrison's daughter, Shana Morrison...
, released in 1994. - In 1999, The Blue HawaiiansThe Blue HawaiiansThe Blue Hawaiians are a surf-rock group from Los Angeles. They formed in 1994 to play at the opening of their friend Michelle's club, The Lava Lounge. They rose to fame soon thereafter due to the rise of one of their earliest fans, Quentin Tarantino, and an appearance on the soundtrack of the hit...
covered the song on their Savage NightSavage NightSavage Night is a 1953 novel by the thriller writer Jim Thompson.-Plot summary:The action is narrated by Charles Bigger, who spends most of the novel operating under the alias Carl Bigelow. Bigger has been sent by a mob boss, known simply as The Man, to the small town of Peardale, New York...
album. - Recorded by The British Invasion All-Stars with original Pirates guitarist Mick GreenMick GreenMichael Robert "Mick" Green was an English rock and roll guitarist who played with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas.-Biography:He was born Michael Robert Green, in Matlock, Derbyshire...
on lead guitar. Appears on The Yardbirds Family Tree album. Mooreland St Records, 2006. - AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
stated that the main riff of "Back in BlackBack in BlackBack in Black is an album by Australian rock band AC/DC. It is the seventh Australian and sixth internationally released studio album by the band....
" was influenced by Kidd's version of the song. AC/DC's original lead singer Dave EvansDave Evans (singer)Dave Evans is an Australian singer best known as the original lead singer of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC from 1973-1974.-AC/DC:...
had recorded the song with his band RabbitRabbit (band)Rabbit, Originally "The Cherries" was an Australian hard rock band from Newcastle, Australia. The band was formed in 1973 by Mark Tinson , Phil Screen and Jim Porteus . Vocalist Greg Douglas joined in 1974 and was replaced in October of that year by Dave Evans, formerly of AC/DC...
in 1976.
Also covered by:
- Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
- MudMud (band)Mud were an English glam rock band, formed in February 1968, best remembered for their single "Tiger Feet", which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974...
- Vince TaylorVince TaylorVince Taylor was a British rock and roll singer. As the frontman for The Playboys, Taylor was successful primarily in France and the Continent during the late 1950s and early 1960s, afterwards falling into obscurity amidst personal problems and drug abuse.-Early life:Born Brian Maurice Holden,...
- Adam AntAdam AntAdam Ant is an English musician who gained popularity as the lead singer of New Wave/post-punk group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring ten UK top ten hits between 1980 and 1983, including three No.1s...
- Rose Hill DriveRose Hill DriveRose Hill Drive is an American rock band. The group is often aligned with other innovators in the revival of traditional hard rock and early metal–psychedelic...
- Suzi QuatroSuzi QuatroSusan Kay "Suzi" Quatro is an American singer-songwriter, bass player, and actor.She scored a string of hit singles in the 1970s that found greater success in Europe and Australia than in her homeland, and had a recurring role on the popular American sitcom Happy Days.-Music:Quatro began her...
- Iggy PopIggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
- Brave BeltBrave BeltBrave Belt was a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba originally consisting of Randy Bachman , his former The Guess Who bandmate, Chad Allan , and Randy's brother Robbie . Randy also provided bass tracks for the recording of the band's first album, Brave Belt I . But C. F...
- Dee Dee RamoneDee Dee RamoneDee Dee Ramone was an American songwriter and musician, best known as founding member, bassist and main songwriter of the punk rock band the Ramones....
- Those Darlins
- The Lords
- Generation XGeneration X (band)Generation X was a British punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.-History:...
- The Swinging Blue JeansThe Swinging Blue JeansThe Swinging Blue Jeans were a four piece 1960s British Merseybeat band, best known for their hit singles with the HMV label; "Hippy Hippy Shake", the follow-up, Little Richard's "Good Golly Miss Molly", and "You're No Good", a Clint Ballard song that provided a change of pace and furnished the...
- Bim Skala BimBim Skala BimBim Skala Bim, formed in Boston, Massachusetts, was a third wave ska band that started in 1983 and remained active until 2002. They were influenced by the bands in England's 2 Tone movement, as well as bands such as the Clash, UB40 and Bob Marley...
on their album Universal - Cem KaracaCem KaracaMuhtar Cem Karaca , also called Cem Baba , was a prominent Turkish rock musician and one of the most important figures in the Anatolian rock movement.-Biography:...
- MC5MC5The MC5 is an American rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan and originally active from 1964 to 1972. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson...
- Eilen JewellEilen Jewell-Early life and education:Jewell grew up in Idaho City, Idaho and attended college in Santa Fe, New Mexico.-Career:Jewell began her musical career when she began busking on the streets of Sante Fe while attending college...
on Sea of Tears - Mae WestMae WestMae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
on Way Out WestWay Out West (Mae West album)-Charts:... - CowsCows (band)Cows are a post-hardcore/punk blues band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band formed in 1987 and disbanded in 1998. They were known for a unique mixture of punk rock and blues played with large amounts of noise and surreal humour; their music is often considered noise rock...
- Turbo FruitsTurbo FruitsTurbo Fruits is a garage rock band from Nashville, Tennessee founded by Be Your Own Pet guitarist Jonas Stein.-Biography:The band was formed by guitarist/vocalist Jonas Stein. Turbo Fruits formed while Stein was still in Be Your Own Pet...
- Shadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetShadowy Men on a Shadowy PlanetShadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet were a Juno Award-winning Canadian instrumental rock band, formed in 1984. They remain best-known for the track "Having an Average Weekend," which was used as the theme to the Canadian sketch comedy TV show The Kids in the Hall...
- Bachman–Turner Overdrive
- Agent OrangeAgent OrangeAgent Orange is the code name for one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people were killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth...
- HorslipsHorslipsHorslips are an Irish Celtic rock band that compose, arrange and perform songs based on traditional Irish jigs and reels. The group are regarded as 'founding fathers of Celtic rock' for their fusion of traditional Irish music with rock music and went on to inspire many local and international acts....
on The Belfast Gigs - Kalevala
- HurriganesHurriganesHurriganes is a Finnish rock band that was formed in the early 1970s. They were very popular in Finland in the 1970s and early '80s; they were also a popular live act in Sweden during this time. Their classic line-up consisted of Remu Aaltonen, Albert Järvinen and Cisse Häkkinen. What seems like...
- The Head CatThe Head CatThe Head Cat is an American rockabilly supergroup formed by vocalist Lemmy , drummer Slim Jim Phantom and guitarist Danny B. Harvey .-History:...
- Terry DeneTerry DeneTerry Dene is a former British pop singer popular in the late 1950s. He achieved three Top Twenty hits between June 1957 and May 1958.-Career:...
re-released on the 2003 album "The Real Terry Dene" - Wanda JacksonWanda JacksonWanda Lavonne Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist...
& Jack WhiteJack White (musician)Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor... - The VibratorsThe Vibrators- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...
- Robin Lane and the Chartbusters
- Clinton Machine
- HelloHello (band)Hello is a Bell Records label, teen appeal glam rock band, based in England.-Career:The core of Hello was founded in about 1969, originally being called The Age. The band was started by Bob Bradbury, previously of The Flashback Berries, with Jeff Allen , Keith Marshall and Vic Faulkner...
External links
- http://www.musicdish.com/mag/index.php3?id=5302