Introduction
In 1956, Otis Blackwell penned the song “All Shook Up” at the Shalimar Music offices, inspired by a suggestion from Al Stanton, co-owner of Shalimar, who was shaking a bottle of Pepsi at the time.[1] However, Peter Guralnick’s account in his book “Last Train to Memphis” presents a different origin. According to Guralnick, Elvis Presley proposed “All Shook Up” as a catchy refrain, earning him a co-writing credit.[2] Elvis recounted during an interview on October 28, 1957, that the song’s inspiration came from a vivid dream that left him feeling “all shook up.” Elvis shared the experience with a friend, who by morning had crafted a new song titled “All Shook Up.”[3]
David Hess, later known for his role in “Last House on the Left,” recorded the song under the stage name David Hill for Aladdin Records, titling it “I’m All Shook Up.” In a 2009 interview, Hess claimed that he initially conceived the title but decided not to write the song. Otis Blackwell stepped in and wrote it, with Elvis taking a co-writing credit to ensure its recording.[4][5][6]
Vicki Young recorded a different song, “(I’m) All Shook Up,” on Capitol Records with Big Dave and His Orchestra in 1956, written by Bill Bellman and Hal Blaine.[7] On January 12, 1957, Elvis Presley recorded his version at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. The duet vocal featured The Jordanaires’ first tenor, Gordon Stoker. Take 10 was chosen for release, entering Billboard’s Top 100 chart at #25 in March. Within three weeks, it dethroned Perry Como’s “Round and Round,” maintaining the top spot for nine consecutive weeks. The song marked Presley’s inaugural No. 1 hit on the UK Singles Chart, reigning for seven weeks. With sales exceeding two million, “All Shook Up” earned the title of Billboard’s Year-End number one song for 1957.[1][8]
Video
Lyrics
Oh, well, a-bless my soul, but what’s wrong with me?I’m itchin’ like a man on a fuzzy treeMy friends say I’m actin’ wild as a bugI’m in loveI’m all shook upMm-mm, yeah, yeah, yeahOh, well, my hands are shaky, and my knees are weakI can’t seem to stand on my own two feetWho do you thank when you have such luck?I’m in loveI’m all shook upMm-mm, yeah, yeah, yeahWell, please, don’t ask me what’s upon my mindI’m a little mixed up, but I feel fineWhen I’m near the girl that I love bestMy heart beats, so it scares me to deathWhen she touched my hand, what a chill I gotHer lips are like a volcano that’s hotI’m proud to say that she’s my buttercupI’m in loveI’m all shook upMm-mm, yeah, yeah, yeahMy tongue gets tied when I try to speakMy insides shake like a leaf on a treeThere’s only one cure for this body of mineThat’s to have that girl that I love so fineWhen she touched my hand, a-what a chill I gotHer lips are like a volcano that’s hotI’m proud to say that she’s my buttercupI’m in loveI’m all shook upMm-mm, yeah, yeah, yeahMm-mm, yeah, yeah, I’m all shook up