"Shake Your Moneymaker" or "Shake Your Money Maker" is a song recorded by Elmore James in 1961 that has become a blues standard. Inspired by earlier songs, it has been interpreted and recorded by several blues and other artists.
"Shake Your Moneymaker" is included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll" and in 2019, the Blues Foundation inducted it into the Blues Hall of Fame as a "Classic of Blues Recording".
Blues historian Gerard Herzhaft suggests that "Shake Your Moneymaker" is a variation on songs that have been traced back to Charlie Patton (1929 "Shake It and Break It") and Bukka White (1937 "Shake 'Em on Down"). However, the song has been also identified as an Elmore James "original".
Lyrics
Well, I got a girl, she lives upon the hill
Well, I got a girl, she lives upon the hill
Sometimes she won't, sometimes I think she will
Got to shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Oh, I love you baby, tell you the reason why
I love you baby, tell you the reason why
Every time you leave me, go a way down and die
You got to shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Oh, go on baby, go on back to school
Oh, go on baby, go on back to school
Well, your mama told me, nothing but a fool
Got to shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Shake your moneymaker
Songwriters: Elmore James
Shake Your Money Maker lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
