For the love of rock
Vol IV, Issue 5 – Shakin’ all over (01 Mar 2019)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– Shakin’ all over
Band – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
Writer– Johnny Kidd
Release year– 1960
Peak chart position
# 1 – UK Singles chart (1960)
Shakin’ all over
Reviewers- Bikash Shrestha/Nirab Kayastha
“Johnny Kidd & The Pirates” was a British rock ‘n’ roll band, revered as a pre Beatles rock sensational phenomenon in Britain. Formed in early 1959 by their leader Johnny Kidd (Vocals), along with Alan Caddy (Guitars), Tony Docherty (Rhythm guitar), Johnny Gordon (Bass) and Ken McKay (Drums), they were indeed a phenomenon by themselves. Perhaps an underrated band, it would be a point to ponder that Led Zeppelin produced a tribute album for them. They did not have much chart successes, but their stage antics of the pirates and their wonderful music have remained overtly influential to the future generations of rock musicians all over the world.
Their singles like “Please don’t touch”, “I’ll never get over you”, “Hungry for love” were all singles worth cherishing, but it was “Shakin’ all over” which shook the entire generations of music fans, critics as well as rock acts all over the world. This single was first released in 1960, following their barely successful first single “Please don’t touch”, but turned out to be a massive success in their home and reached the top of UK Singles charts. It is considered as the earliest British song to become a rock ‘n’ roll standard. Their later numbers could not repeat its feat, but the song again got highlighted when it was covered by “The Guess Who” in 1965 and “The Who” in 1970. Actually, the cover versions became much more famous the original single and made them famous worldwide!
“Shakin’ all over” is indeed a remarkable rock song, with amazing guitar, quivery voice, shaky bass and strumming drums. It begins with an outstandingly menacing guitar sound played by Joe Moretti, who was not Kidd member but a session guitarist. Brian Gregg has done amazing job with his shaky bass which complements Moretti’s guitar. Kidd’s quivery vocals is phenomenally shaky and it does shake all over. The pauses in between the song are another highlight of this barely two and half minute magical number. Yes indeed, the drums by Clem Cattini, along with a roll, also upbeats this rock number perfectly. A simple song describing that feeling of chill when an attractive girl passes by, it is a bystander’s feelings poured out straight from the heart.
For many rock fans, “Johnny Kidd & The Pirates” may not be a familiar name, but for those who are familiar, they do have deepest regards for this pre–Beatle phenomenal rock ‘n’ roll sensation, who have given us numerous extraordinary singles for the generations ahead to cherish for. However, it is undoubtedly “Shakin’ all over” which really shakes the rock fans all over the world!
Happy listening!!
Resources– Wikipedia.org, Allmusic.com, genius.com
Shakin’ all over
When you move in right up close to me
That’s when I get the shakes all over me
Quivers down the backbone
I got the shakes down the knee bones
Yeah, the tremors in my thigh bone
Shakin’ all over
Just the way that you say goodnight to me
Brings that feelin’ on inside of me
Quivers down the backbone
I got the shivers down the thigh bone
Yeah the tremors in my back bone
Shakin’ all over
Quivers down my backbone
Yeah the shakes in my knee bone
I got the tremors in my thigh bone
Shakin’ all over
Well, you make me shake it and I like it, baby
You make me shake it and I like it, baby
Well, shake, shake, shake
Shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake
Shake, shake, shake
Lyrics link- https://genius.com/Johnny-kidd-and-the-pirates-shakin-all-over-lyrics
Video link – https://youtu.be/IzFkgNyhkCY