Get ready to be transported back to the heyday of glam metal with Cinderella's electrifying debut!
The Song
"Shake Me" is the scorching lead single from Cinderella's debut album, Night Songs, released in June 1986. Written by frontman Tom Keifer, the song is a straightforward, high-energy rocker often interpreted as a raw, unapologetic anthem about desire and breaking free from complacency. While Cinderella would later achieve massive success with power ballads like "Nobody's Fool" and "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)," "Shake Me" established their gritty, blues-infused hard rock sound right out of the gate.
The track perfectly encapsulates the raw energy and passion of the burgeoning glam metal scene of the late 80s, driven by Keifer's distinctive vocals and killer guitar riffs. Its untamed and energetic delivery remains a testament to the band's early sound and their influences from rock legends like The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
The Artist
Cinderella was an American rock band formed in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1983. The band's initial lineup featured singer-songwriter Tom Keifer and bassist Eric Brittingham. They gained significant traction in the mid-1980s, producing a string of multi-platinum albums and hit singles.
Discovered by Jon Bon Jovi, who recommended them to his A&R representative, Derek Shulman, Cinderella signed with Mercury/Polygram Records in 1985. While initially embracing a glam metal sound, the band later transitioned towards a more blues-rock-based style in the early to mid-1990s. Their music videos were instrumental in their popularity, receiving heavy rotation on MTV.
Chart Performance
Despite its undeniable energy and impact, "Shake Me" did not achieve significant chart success upon its release. It failed to chart on the major US music charts. However, it did receive notable radio airplay, which was crucial in establishing the band's presence and building a fanbase.
While "Shake Me" served as an important introductory track, it was the subsequent singles from Night Songs, particularly the power ballad "Nobody's Fool," that propelled Cinderella to mainstream chart success. "Nobody's Fool" notably cracked the Top 20, reaching No. 13 on the US charts, helping the Night Songs album peak at No. 3 on the US charts in February 1987 and eventually achieve triple-platinum status.
Cultural Impact
"Shake Me" played a pivotal role in introducing Cinderella to the world and solidifying their place in the burgeoning glam metal scene of the 1980s. As the lead single from their debut album, Night Songs, it set the stage for the band's signature sound, blending hard rock with blues influences.
The music video for "Shake Me" was particularly impactful, initiating a narrative trilogy that continued with "Nobody's Fool" and "Somebody Save Me." This creative use of sequential videos, playing on the "Cinderella" character and her "evil stepsisters," was a clever move that garnered significant attention and heavy rotation on MTV, crucial for the band's rise to fame. Decades later, the song continues to resonate, with platforms like TikTok helping new generations discover its raw energy and glam metal aesthetic.
Fun Facts
- Cinderella recorded an earlier, low-budget music video for an early draft of "Shake Me" in 1983, three years before the release of Night Songs.
- The original lineup featured guitarist Michael Kelly Smith and drummer Tony Destra, who appeared in the early "Shake Me" video and later formed the band Britny Fox.
- Tom Keifer presented Lzzy Hale of Halestorm with the costume jewelry pin he wore on his right shoulder for the Night Songs album cover, which Hale then wore on her album cover for Into the Wild Life.
- The video for "Shake Me" features a "Cinderella" themed storyline where a girl is taunted by her "evil sisters" before magically being transported to the front row of the band's concert.
- The story from the "Shake Me" video continues directly into the music video for their next single, "Nobody's Fool," forming a narrative arc across their early videos.
- In 2015, "Sleazegrinder" of Louder included "Shake Me" in his list of "The 20 Greatest Hair Metal Anthems Of All Time," placing it at number 14.