Shakin’

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Shakin’" by Eddie Money from his 1982 album No Control! This track, a fan favorite, tells the story of a wild night with a reckless gal named Rosanna who takes Eddie for a ride in her daddy’s car, blasting the radio until the speakers blow. Co-written with bassist Ralph Carter and composer Elizabeth Myers, the song hit #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks. Its iconic music video, directed by Mark Robinson, featured actress/model Patricia Kotero, better known as Apollonia, who later starred in Purple Rain. Fun fact: Apollonia’s dance moves were a bit stiff, resorting to a quirky sprinkler-head motion, and her jealous boyfriend on set made things tricky for Eddie!

One juicy tidbit about "Shakin’" comes from a 2018 Rolling Stone interview where Eddie confirmed a long-standing fan theory: the line “Her tits were shakin’ till the middle of the night” was indeed in the radio version, slipping past the label unnoticed. His manager, Bill Graham, was furious, believing the lyric cost the song a Top 5 spot due to radio censorship concerns. Fans on Reddit’s ClassicRock community have playfully embraced this, with some admitting they always misheard the line as such and even prefer it! The song’s raw energy and playful vibe made it a staple, even landing in Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and an episode of Beavis and Butt-Head. After Eddie’s passing in 2019, “Shakin’” climbed to #5 on the charts for a week, showing its enduring love among fans.

The music video for “Shakin’” was groundbreaking, being one of the first to showcase cars with hydraulics bouncing up and down, a style later popularized in ‘90s rap videos. Filmed at Rae’s Diner on Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica, which is still open today, the video’s campy charm has fans calling it “so bad it’s good” on platforms like Songfacts. On X, posts celebrate its status as a signature hit, noting its heavy rotation on rock radio. The song’s infectious rhythm and Eddie’s gritty vocals capture the carefree rebellion of the era, making it a perfect fit for our hippie DJ vibes at THE ZOO.

Eddie Money, born Edward Joseph Mahoney on March 21, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, started his journey far from the rock stage. Raised in a large Irish Catholic family in Levittown, New York, he initially followed his father’s footsteps as a police officer in New York City. But music was his true calling. In the late ‘60s, he ditched the badge, moved to Berkeley, California, and dove into the Bay Area’s vibrant music scene, adopting the stage name Eddie Money. His big break came when he caught the eye of legendary promoter Bill Graham, who helped him land a deal with Columbia Records. His 1977 self-titled debut album, featuring hits like “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Baby Hold On,” launched him into the spotlight, blending blue-collar rock with pop appeal.

Eddie’s career spanned decades, with eleven Top 40 hits and platinum albums, though he never chased “cool” status, as fans on Reddit have noted. His resilience shone through challenges, like a 1980 overdose that left him with a permanent limp. He kept rocking, performing everywhere from Native American casinos to Central Park, where he once brought out John McEnroe and Vitas Gerulaitis for an encore. Connect with Eddie’s legacy on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can also join the Eddie Money Fan Club on Facebook or visit eddiemoney.com for merch and updates. Keep shakin’ it, Zoo Freaks!