Shake It

This article is about the Metro Station song. For other uses, see Shake It (disambiguation).

"Shake It" is a song by American pop rock band Metro Station, released as the third single (and debut British single) from their 2007 self-titled debut studio album.^[4]

"Shake It"
Single by Metro Station
from the album Metro Station
B-side	"Comin' Around"
Released	April 1, 2008
Genre	Neon pop[1] emo[2][3]
Length	2:59
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Trace Cyrus Mason Musso Blake Healy Anthony Improgo
Producer(s)	S*A*M and Sluggo
Metro Station singles chronology
"Control" (2008) "Shake It" (2008) "Seventeen Forever" (2008)
Music video
"Shake It" on YouTube

"Shake It" was the band's first charting single, peaking at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Shake It" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 13, 2008, and later Platinum that year,^[5] until finally reaching 2× Platinum status at the end of January 2009.^[6] The song has sold over 1.2 million copies in the US and over 4 million copies worldwide.^[7][8]

Composition

"Shake It" was written in the key of E major,^[9] but Metro Station played the song in D major for live performances.^[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
About.com	[11]
AltSounds	(60%)[12]

"Shake It" was generally well received by music critics. Nick Levine of Digital Spy stated, "everything about this track - the fairly standard verses, the weedy vocals, the rather tedious lyrics - is passable at best. Except, crucially, for the chorus, which is big, chanty and as easy to resist as a Krispy Kreme donut being dangled down on a rope in front of your PC."^[13] Bill Lamb of About.com noted how the track "has a distinctly 80's pop vibe with a bass and keyboard foundation strongly reminiscent of the Cars. The sound of the vocals here drips the possibility of salacious intent, courtesy of Trace Cyrus, but ultimately the lyrics themselves are filled with rather silly schoolboy come-ons. Despite a certain immaturity in the words, the sound itself is likely to lure you out on to the dancefloor."^[11]

Seventeen Magazine called the track, "the perfect summer fun tune."^[14] AltSounds stated that the track, "gets in your head ridiculously easily."^[12] The song has garnered over 110 million streams on Spotify.^[15]

Music video

The music video for the song "Shake It" was inspired by fans who created their own versions of the video,^[16] 63 of which the band posted as a playlist on the band's YouTube account. The band has commented that the final product was based on the cult film The Warriors, with rival dance crews in place of gangs. MTV calls the video, "the musical equivalent of Snakes on a Plane."^[16]

The video features the four band members as they enter the Los Angeles Theatre. Once inside the theatre, the band performs the song while various dancers compete against each other around the band members. Cameos are made by online celebrity Jeffree Star and vocalist/guitarist Trace Cyrus' ex-girlfriend Hanna Beth as audience members watching the dancers perform.^[17] The video ends with the band and everyone else being forced to exit the theatre by the police.^[16]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for "Shake It"

Year	Organization	Award	Result	Ref(s)
2008	Australian Kids' Choice Awards	Favourite Song of the Year	Won	[18]
2009	Los Premios MTV	Best Ringtone of the Year	Nominated	[19]

Accolades

Accolades for "Shake It"

Publication	Country	Accolade	Year	Rank	Ref.
ALTop 20	United States	Top 20 Songs of 2008	2008	2	[20]

Track listings

Digital single^[21]

1. "Shake It" - 2:59

CD single^[22]

1. "Shake It" - 3:03
2. "Comin' Around" - 2:40

UK CD single^[23]

1. "Shake It" (Radio Mix) - 3:04
2. "Shake It (Lenny B Remix - Extended Version)" - 7:15
3. "Comin' Around" - 2:40

Digital Remix single^[24]

1. "Shake It" [The Lindbergh Palace Remix] - 6:25
2. "Shake It" [Lenny B Remix] - 3:22

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2008–2009) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[25] 2 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[26] 9 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[27] 17 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[28] 3 Bulgaria (IFPI)[29] 12 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[30] 4 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[31] 6 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[32] 5 CIS Airplay (TopHit)[33] Lenny B Remix 240 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[34] 71 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[35] 8 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[36] 22 Germany (GfK)[37] 9 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[38] 11 Ireland (IRMA)[39] 4 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[40] 8 Latvia (EHR)[41] 20 Lithuania (EHR)[42] 8 Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino)[43] 10 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[44] 22 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[45] 39 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[46] 9 Portugal (AFP)[47] 45 Scotland (OCC)[48] 15 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[49] 15 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[50] 55 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] 25 UK Singles (OCC)[52] 6 US Billboard Hot 100[53] 10 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[54] 13 US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[55] 17 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[56] 4

Year-end charts Chart (2008) Position Australia (ARIA)[57] 11 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[58] 20 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 16 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[60] 40 US Billboard Hot 100[61] 32 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[62] 40 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[63] 18 Chart (2009) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[64] 54 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[65] 80 Germany (Official German Charts)[66] 41 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[67] 47 Japan (Japan Hot 100)[68] 94 Latvia (European Hit Radio)[41] 78 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[69] 111 UK Singles (OCC)[70] 55 Decade-end charts Chart (2000–2009) Position Australia (ARIA)[71] 38

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[72]	2× Platinum	140,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[73]	3× Platinum	120,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[74] Ringtone	Platinum	40,000*
Germany (BVMI)[75]	Gold	150,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[76]	Platinum	30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[77]	Platinum	600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[78]	2× Platinum	2,000,000^
United States (RIAA)[79] Mastertone	Gold	500,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Version	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	Original	April 1, 2008	Contemporary hit radio	Columbia	[4]
Various	Remixes	August 12, 2008	Digital download		[24]
United Kingdom	Original	August 9, 2008			[80]
Australia		January 9, 2009		Sony	[81]
New Zealand					[82]
United Kingdom		March 23, 2009	CD	Columbia	[83]

Use in media

• In the soundtrack of The House Bunny and on So You Think You Can Dance Canada.
• On the evening of April 7, 2008, Disney Channel had a bump that said: Shake It [Metro Station].
• It appeared on the season eight premiere of American Idol.
• It is also featured as a downloadable song for the Xbox 360 karaoke game, Lips.
• It was covered by a Portuguese boy band to be used in Sweet Strawberries (original title: Morangos Com Açúcar) season 7 soundtrack.
• The song was featured in 90210 when Annie and Ty were on a date in San Francisco.^[84]
• The song was featured in the episode "All About Appearances" from the series Privileged.^[85]
• The song was played during the opening of the episode "When Cougars Attack" of the show The Whole Truth, which first aired on October 27, 2010.^[86]
• The song was featured on a television commercial for Schwarzkopf's Live Colour XXL Shake It Up Foam in the United Kingdom. The commercial first aired on British commercial television networks in December 2011.
• The song accompanied the Fastrack commercials for watches in India. The commercial first aired on Indian commercial television networks in October 2013.
• The song is frequently used by social media star Lenarr Young as the music for one of his characters named Zac.
• The song can be heard in the Grey's Anatomy spin-off show Private Practice in season 4, episode 12 as the first song Bizzy and Susan dance to after getting married.^[87][88]

References

1. Mortensa, Mala (November 20, 2020). "QUIZ: CAN YOU MATCH THESE NEON-POP LYRICS TO THE BANDS WHO SANG THEM?". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
2. "The 10 best songs from the 10 worst emo bands". Louder. July 14, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
3. "28 Songs Every Emo Kid Couldn't Stop Blasting In The '00s". Buzzfeed. April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
4. "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. March 25, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
5. "Gold & Platinum - Searchable Database". RIAA. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
6. "RIAA News Room - Sasha's Fierce in '09 - Feb 13, 2009". Riaa.com. February 13, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
7. "Metro Station Ready to Launch 'Disco Balls & Blow Up Dolls,' the Group's First Ever North American Headline Tour Beginning in October". August 19, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
8. Kelli Skye Fadroski (February 20, 2012). "Interview: Trace Cyrus goes solo with Ashland High". The Orange County Register. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
9. Metro Station "Shake It" Sheet Music musicnotes.com
10. Metro Station "Shake It" Live YouTube
11. Bill Lamb. Review: Metro Station - 'Shake It' About.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
12. "Metro Station - Shake It [Single]". AltSounds. April 2, 2009. Archived from the original on April 5, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
13. Nick Levine (March 17, 2009). "Metro Station: 'Shake It'". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
14. "Metro Station stops by Seventeen". Seventeen. May 22, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
15. "Here's why Metro Station refuse to make another Shake It in 2020". Alternative Press. April 24, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
16. Debbie Newman (June 5, 2008). "New Video: Metro Station, 'Shake It'". MTV. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
17. Geordie Gary (April 8, 2019). "Jeffree Star was in the Metro Station music video for 'Shake It'". Retrieved August 3, 2022.
18. "Australia: Winners at the 2008 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards". Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
19. Hugo Fernández (September 3, 2009). "Premios 09 MTV Latino America". Retrieved July 28, 2022.
20. "ALTop 20 – Top 20 Songs of 2008". idobi Radio. December 27, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
21. "Metro Station - Shake It (Digital Single)". AllMusic. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
22. "Metro Station - Shake It/Comin' Around". AllMusic. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
23. "Metro Station - Shake It (3-Tracks)". AllMusic. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
24. "Shake It (Remixes) - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
25. "Metro Station – Shake It". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
26. "Metro Station – Shake It" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
27. "Metro Station – Shake It" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
28. "Metro Station – Shake It" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
29. "BULGARIA SINGLES TOP 40". Bulgarian Association of Music Producers. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
30. "Metro Station Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
31. "Metro Station Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
32. "Metro Station Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
33. Metro Station — Shake It (Lenny B Remix). TopHit. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
34. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 37. týden 2008 in the date selector. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
35. "Hits of the World – European Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 15. April 18, 2009. p. 50. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
36. "Metro Station: Shake It" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
37. "Metro Station – Shake It" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
38. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
39. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Metro Station". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
40. "Billboard Japan Hot 100 (2009/06/03)". Billboard Japan. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
41. "EHR Year Top 100 - 2009". Archived from the original on January 16, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
42. "European Hit Radio Top 100". Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
43. "Continúa Ha*Ash en el primer lugar de popularidad por quinta semana" (in Spanish). Vanguardia. September 8, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
44. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 11, 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
45. "Metro Station – Shake It" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
46. "Metro Station – Shake It". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
47. "PORTUGAL SINGLES TOP 50". Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
48. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
49. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200826 into search. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
50. "Metro Station – Shake It". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
51. "Metro Station – Shake It". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
52. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
53. "Metro Station Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
54. "Metro Station Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
55. "Metro Station Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
56. "Metro Station Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
57. "ARIA Top 100 Singles 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
58. "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
59. "Top Canada CHR/Top 40 Songs". R&R. December 12, 2008. p. 35.
60. "Top Selling Singles of 2008". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
61. "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
62. "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
63. "Pop Songs – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
64. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2009". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved January 13, 2020.
65. "Jaaroverzichten 2009" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
66. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2009" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
67. "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2009" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
68. "Japan Hot 100 – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
69. "Jaarlijsten 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
70. "Charts Plus Year End 2009" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
71. "ARIA's End Of Decade Charts" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. January 7, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
72. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
73. "Canadian single certifications – Metro Station – Shake It". Music Canada. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
74. "Canadian ringtone certifications – Metro Station – Shake It". Music Canada. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
75. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Metro Station; 'Shake It')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
76. "New Zealand single certifications – Metro Station – Shake It". Radioscope. Retrieved December 22, 2024. Type Shake It in the "Search:" field.
77. "British single certifications – Metro Station – Shake It". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
78. "American single certifications – Metro Station – Shake It". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
79. "American ringtone certifications – Metro Station – Shake It". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
80. "Shake It - UK Single". Retrieved October 11, 2021.
81. "Shake It - Australia Single". Retrieved October 26, 2021.
82. "Shake It - NZ Single". Retrieved October 25, 2021.
83. "Key Releases: March 23". Music Week. March 14, 2009. p. 20.
84. "Watch Videos | Metro Station and Axone Productions - Shake It Forever !!!". Metro Station Tickets. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
85. "Privileged S1 E6 All About Appearances". Tunefind. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
86. "When Cougars Attack". IMDb. October 27, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
87. "Private Practice Review: "Heaven Can Wait"". tvfanatic.com. February 4, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
88. "Music from Private Practice S4E12". Tunefind. Retrieved June 2, 2017.

External links

• Music video for "Shake It" on YouTube