Shake, Rattle & Roll

The song was written in 1954 by Jesse Stone, known as Charles Calhoun while working for Ahmet Ertegun at Atlantic Records. It was first recorded by Big Joe Turner and Atlantic Records, and then covered by Bill Haley and the Comets, becoming the first rock song to sell a million copies. Turner was born 1911 in Kansas City where he learned in the 1920s to sing the blues in the Sunset Club with pianist Pete Johnson. He toured in the 1930s with the big bands of Bennie Moten and Count Basie, and recorded for Vocalion and Decca Records. In the 1940s he performed in Los Angeles and then in 1951 began recording for Atlantic Records in New York. He won the Grammy for his "Blue Train" album in 1983 and died in 1985.

Performed by Joe Turner

Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands
Well, you get in that kitchen,
make some noise with the pots and pans

Well, you wear low dresses,
the sun comes shining through
Well, you wear low dresses,
the sun comes shining through
I can't believe my eyes all that mess belongs to you

I believe to my soul you're a devil in nylon hose
I believe to my soul you're a devil in nylon hose
Well, the harder I work, the faster my money goes

I said, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul

I'm like a one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
I'm like a one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
Well, I can look at you and tell you ain't no child no more

Ah, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul

I said, over the hill and way down underneath
I said, over the hill and way down underneath
You make me roll my eyes, Baby, make me grit my teeth

I said, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul
Performed by Bill Haley and the Comets


Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans,
Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans.
Well, roll my breakfast, 'cause I'm a hungry man.

I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll;
Well you never do nothin' to save your doggone soul.


Wearin' those dresses, your hair done up so right
Wearin' those dresses, your hair done up so right;
You look so warm, but your heart is cold as ice.

I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
Well you never do nothin' to save your doggone soul.

I'm like a one-eyed cat, peepin' in a sea-food store,
I'm like a one-eyed cat, peepin' in a sea-food store;
I can look at you, till you don't love me no more.

I believe you're doin' me wrong and now I know,
I believe you're doin' me wrong and now I know;
The more I work, the faster my money goes.

I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
I said Shake rattle and roll,
Well you never do nothin' to save your doggone soul.
Shake rattle and roll


revised 3/26/04 by Schoenherr | Songs