Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)

The Four Tops

About Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)

"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" is a song recorded by the American quartet Four Tops for their third studio album, On Top (1966). It was released in February 1966 as a 7" vinyl single through Motown records. It was written and produced by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. A gospel rock track, its lyrics detail a relationship that has ended. It has since been regarded as one of Four Tops' most successful singles ever. It charted moderately well in both the United States and Canada, and became the group's fifth consecutive entry to chart within the top five of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Four Tops has performed "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" on various occasions throughout their careers and have included it on several greatest hits albums, including on The Four Tops Greatest Hits (1967) and The Ultimate Collection (1997). American musicians Barbra Streisand and Carol Lloyd also recorded covers of "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" and released them commercially in 1975 and 1979, respectively. Included on her seventeenth studio album, Lazy Afternoon (1975), Streisand's version was more of a disco song, as accomplished by producers Jeffrey Lesser and Rupert Holmes. Following the success of the song in a New York City club, Columbia Records decided to release the single which would later become a moderate success on two Billboard dance charts in that same year. Critically, it was highlighted on Lazy Afternoon as a standout track. Lloyd's version was recorded for her debut record Score in 1979; it received heavy airplay by disc jockeys and was positively received by Billboard critics. 


Year:
1973
80 

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All through this long and sleepless night
I hear my neighbors talking (She don't love him)
Saying that out of my life
Into another's arms you'll soon be walking

Somebody shake me, wake me when it's over
Somebody tell me that I'm dreamin'
And wake me when its over

They say our love ain't what it used to be
And everyone knows but me
I close my ears not wanting to hear
But the words are loud and clear
Through these walls so thin
I hear my neighbors when
They say "She don't love him, she don't love him"
They say my heart's in danger
'Cause you're leaving me
For the love of a stranger

Somebody shake me, wake me when it's over
Somebody tell me that I'm dreamin'
And wake me when its over

Girl you're what my heart desires
My whole world you inspire
I can't bear to be losing you
'Cause I've loved you my whole life through

Restlessly I pace the floor
Listening to my neighbor's criticize
What a fool I am not to realize 
You don't want me by your side

As the tears stream down my face
I can't believe I've been replaced
If I've ever ever dreamed before
Somebody tell me I'm dreaming now

I said shake me, wake me somebody when its over
Somebody tell me that I'm dreaming
And wake me when its over
C'mon wake me, shake me somebody

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The Four Tops

The Four Tops are a vocal quartet from Detroit, Michigan, USA, who helped to define the city's Motown sound of the 1960s. The group's repertoire has included soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, doo-wop, jazz, and show tunes. more »

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Written by: JR., BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Data
"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" was released in 1966 as a single by the group The Four Tops.
Record Label
The song was issued under the renowned Motown label. Motown Records was a powerhouse in the sixties and played a significant role in the racial integration of popular music.
Artists
The Four Tops include renowned members Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, and Lawrence Payton. They remained together for over four decades, till the death of Lawrence Payton.
Chart Performance
"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" was a substantial hit. It peaked at number five on the R&B Billboard charts and also climbed to number eighteen on the pop charts.
Genre
The song falls into the genre of Rhythm and Blues (R&B) and Soul.
Songwriters
It was written by the famous songwriting duo, Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier, along with Eddie Holland. The trio is also known for their contribution to the Motown Sound.
Legacy
The song is considered a classic and aptly represents the Motown sound of the 1960s.
Cover Versions
"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" was covered by several artists including Diana Ross and the Supremes on their album "The Supremes A' Go Go" (1966) and by Barbara McNair on her 1966 album "Here I Am."
Impact on Other Artists
The song has proven influential to other artists. For example, Marvin Gaye repurposes a line from the song in his 1971 track "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)."
Inclusion in Album
The song was also included in the Four Tops' "On Top" album, released in 1966.
Song Duration
The run time of the original "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" track is approximately 2 minutes and 45 seconds.
Live Performances
The Four Tops performed "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)" live several times, including a memorable performance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

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