All Shook Up – Elvis Presley

Introduction

“All Shook Up” is a track recorded by Elvis Presley, credited to Elvis Presley Music, and crafted by Otis Blackwell. This single claimed the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Top 100 on April 13, 1957, maintaining its position for nine consecutive weeks. Additionally, it led the Billboard R&B chart for four weeks, marking Presley’s second single to achieve this feat, and reached the pinnacle of the country chart as well. The Recording Industry Association of America certifies it as 2× platinum.

Recognized for its impact, the song secured the 352nd position on Rolling Stone’s compilation of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Otis Blackwell composed “All Shook Up” in 1956 at the offices of Shalimar Music, inspired by a suggestion from Al Stanton, co-owner of Shalimar, who was shaking a bottle of Pepsi at the time. Contrary to this account, Peter Guralnick, in his book “Last Train to Memphis,” proposed a different origin. According to Guralnick, Elvis Presley thought “All Shook Up” would make for a compelling refrain and was credited as a co-writer.

In an interview on October 28, 1957, Elvis shared his perspective, stating, “I’ve never even had an idea for a song. Just once, maybe. I went to bed one night, had quite a dream, and woke up all shook up. I phoned a pal and told him about it. By morning, he had a new song, ‘All Shook Up.'”

The first recording of the song, titled “I’m All Shook Up,” was done by David Hess (using the stage name David Hill) on Aladdin Records. In a 2009 interview, Hess claimed that the title originated from his circumstances, and while he decided not to write the song, Otis Blackwell did. Presley took a writing credit to persuade him to record it.

Vicki Young recorded a different song with the same title, “(I’m) All Shook Up,” on Capitol Records with Big Dave and His Orchestra in 1956. Elvis recorded his version on January 12, 1957, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, featuring The Jordanaires’ first tenor Gordon Stoker on duet vocals. The song entered Billboard’s Top 100 chart at #25 in March, quickly rising to the top spot, where it remained for nine consecutive weeks. It also marked Presley’s first No. 1 hit on the UK Singles Chart, holding the position for seven weeks. With sales exceeding two million, “All Shook Up” was named Billboard’s Year-End number one song for 1957.

Video

Lyrics

A well I bless my soul
What’s wrong with me?
I’m itching like a man on a fuzzy tree
My friends say I’m actin’ wild as a bug
I’m in love
I’m all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Well, my hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet
Who do you thank when you have such luck?
I’m in love
I’m all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Well, please don’t ask me what’s on my mind
I’m a little mixed up, but I’m feelin’ fine
When I’m near that girl that I love best
My heart beats so it scares me to death!

She touched my hand what a chill I got
Her lips are like a volcano that’s hot
I’m proud to say she’s my buttercup
I’m in love
I’m all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!

My tongue gets tied when I try to speak
My insides shake like a leaf on a tree
There’s only one cure for this body of mine
That’s to have the girl that I love so fine!

She touched my hand what a chill I got
Her lips are like a volcano that’s hot
I’m proud to say she’s my buttercup
I’m in love
I’m all shook up
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!
Mm mm oh, oh, yeah, yeah!
I’m all shook up