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Shake, Rattle and Roll

Words & Music by Charles E. Calhoun

Shake, Rattle and Roll is a prototypical twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song written in 1954 by Jesse Stone under his assumed songwriting name Charles E. Calhoun. It was originally recorded by Big Joe Turner, and most successfully by Bill Haley & His Comets. The song as sung by Big Joe Turner is ranked #126 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley recorded the song twice in a studio setting: a 1955 demo recorded during his Sun Records tenure (which was not released until the 1990s), and as a 1956 single for RCA Victor, although it was not a major hit.

Both versions by Elvis used Turner's original lyrics combined with a faster-pace.

Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and DJ Fontana performed the song on the January 28, 1956 broadcast of the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show. Elvis recorded the song with these same musicians. Bill and Scotty had played with Elvis from his first professional sessions at Sun Studios. DJ joined the group late in 1954. These personnel performed and recorded with Elvis throughout 1955 and 1956. The song was released on September 8, 1956. Elvis sang lead vocal, and played rhythm guitar. Scotty Moore played lead guitar. Bill Black played stand-up bass. And D.J. Fontana provided percussion. Scotty, Bill and DJ also provide vocals for the chorus, as can be seen clearly in the recordings of the broadcast, rather than the Jordanaires, who began working with Elvis after he left Sun for RCA, but months after the Dorsey Brothers performance. DJ is on record saying 'That's the first and last time he let us sing. I can't blame him for that'.

January 6, 1955 (Demo Session) 'Cotton Club' - Lubbock, Texas

Fool, Fool, Fool WPA5 2533-NA}
Shake, Rattle and Roll WPA5 2534-NA

After making his first appearance on National TV on the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show, Elvis stayed in town.

Around 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, he and the band headed for the RCA Studio, 155 E. 24th St. They recorded for seven hours that day, then three hours on Jan. 31 and another several hours on Feb. 3.

These New York Sessions yielded 'Blue Suede Shoes' and seven other tunes:

'My Baby Left Me', One-Sided Love Affair', So Glad You're Mine', I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You', Tutti Fruitti', Lawdy Miss Clawdy' and 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'.

'Blue Suede Shoes' was the only hit single in the bunch, but the sessions were crucial in Elvis history because they marked the point at which he started moving away from his raw, pure Sun sound to the more commercial and mainstream sound RCA envisioned for him. Read more about the New York Sessions.

January 30 1956 RCA Studio's - New York

Blue Suede Shoes G2WB 1230-10
My Baby Left Me G2WB 1231-09
One Sided Love Affair G2WB 1232-08
So Glad You're Mine G2WB 1233-10

January 31 1956 RCA Studio's - New York

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) G2WB 1254-18
Tutti Frutti G2WB 1255-10

February 1956, As 'Heartbreak Hotel' makes its climb up the charts on its way to number one', I Forgot to Remember to Forget' b/w 'Mystery Train', Elvis' fifth and last single to be released on the Sun label, hits number one on Billboard's national country singles chart. His first number one hit on a national chart.

February 1956, As 'Heartbreak Hotel' makes its climb up the charts on its way to number one',I Forgot to Remember to Forget' b/w 'Mystery Train', Elvis' fifth and last single to be released on the Sun label, hits number one on Billboard's national country singles chart. His first number one hit on a national chart.

February 3, Elvis returns to New York for a second recording session at RCA's New York Studio, prior to his second appearance on the 'Dorsey Brothers Stage Show', the following day.

These New York Sessions yielded 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy' and 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'.

February 3 1956 RCA Studio's - New York

Lawdy Miss Clawdy G2WB 1293-10
Shake, Rattle And Roll G2WB 1294-12
Shake, Rattle And Roll (Backup Vocal Overdub) G2WB 1294

February 4, Elvis makes his second Stage Show appearance performing 'Baby Let's Play House' and 'Tutti Frutti'. After the show at the Dorsey brothers invitation, Elvis goes to Roseland, a popular dance club.

Shake, Rattle and Roll | Lyrics

Well get out of that bed, wash your face and hands
Get out of that bed, wash your face and hands
Well get in that kitchen
Make some noise with the pots and pans
I believe it to my soul you're the devil in nylon hose
I believe it to my soul you're the devil in nylon hose
For the harder I work the faster my money goes

Well 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 won't do right
To save your doggone soul

Shake rattle and roll

I'm like the one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
I'm like the one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
Well I can look at you tell you ain't no child no more
I believe you're doing me wrong and now I know
I believe you're doing me wrong and now I know
'Cause the harder I work the faster my money goes

Well 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 won't do right
To save your doggone soul

Play it again!

I went over the hill, way down underneath
I went over the hill, way down underneath
You make me roll my eyes
And then you make me grit my teeth

Well 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 won't do right
To save your doggone soul

Recorded: 1956/02/03, first released on EP

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