Shake It
"Shake It is a pop rock and electropop song by the American band Metro Station, released in April 2008 as the third single from their self-titled debut studio album, Metro Station, which was issued on September 18, 2007, by Columbia Records and Red Ink Records.The track, written by the band members Mason Musso, Trace Cyrus, Blake Healy, and Anthony Improgo and produced by SAM and Sluggo, features upbeat synth-driven production and lyrics about a flirtatious encounter at a party.
It became the band's signature hit, peaking at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart after debuting at number 88 on April 19, 2008, and remaining on the chart for 30 weeks.
Internationally, "Shake It" reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and entered the top 10 in several other countries, including Australia and New Zealand. [1]
The song has been certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales and streaming exceeding two million units in the United States. [2] Metro Station, formed in late 2006 in Los Angeles, California, by vocalist/guitarist Mason Musso (brother of actor Mitchel Musso, who co-starred with Miley Cyrus on Hannah Montana) and guitarist/vocalist Trace Cyrus (Miley Cyrus's half-brother), along with bassist Blake Healy and drummer Anthony Improgo, rose to prominence through MySpace and gained a record deal shortly after forming. [3][4]
The band's self-titled debut album blended pop-punk energy with electronic elements, but "Shake It" stood out as its breakout track, propelling Metro Station into the spotlight during the late 2000s scene revival.
The music video, directed by Josh Forbes, depicts the band performing at a house party interspersed with surreal, colorful scenes, and it premiered on MTV in 2008, contributing to the song's viral popularity on platforms like YouTube. [5]
Often labeled a one-hit wonder, "Shake It" remains Metro Station's most enduring release, with over 330 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025 and frequent inclusion in 2000s nostalgia playlists and media. [6]
Background and development
Conception and writing
"Shake It" was conceived by Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso in 2007 during the early days of Metro Station, formed in late 2006 in Los Angeles, California. The duo, who met on the set of the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, quickly assembled the band with drummer Anthony Improgo and bassist/keyboardist Blake Healy, signing a deal with Columbia Records shortly after.[3] The track was written as an upbeat pop-punk song, drawing inspiration from 1980s new wave synth elements and early 2000s emo acts like Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco.[7] The song was written by Mason Musso, Trace Cyrus, Anthony Improgo, and Blake Healy. Despite initial skepticism from the group, "Shake It" became the final addition to the album at the urging of Musso and Healy.[8] This process transitioned the track from rough sketches to a polished single, setting the stage for professional recording.Recording and production
The recording of "Shake It" occurred in mid-2007 in New York City, as part of the sessions for Metro Station's self-titled debut album.) The band completed the album's tracking by July 2007, allowing for a focused effort on capturing their pop-rock style with electronic elements. Production for the track was led by the duo SAM and Sluggo, comprising Sam Hollander and Dave Katz, who crafted a synth-heavy sound blending electronic textures with rock instrumentation to suit the band's energetic aesthetic.[9][5] Additional production contributions on the album came from Joshua Cain and Justin Pierre, but SAM and Sluggo handled the core work on "Shake It." Instrumentation featured electric guitars performed by Trace Cyrus (lead) and Mason Musso (rhythm), synthesizers and keyboards by Blake Healy, and percussion by Anthony Improgo, with programmed drums enhancing the danceable rhythm.[10] Cyrus and Musso shared lead vocals, emphasizing the song's hook-driven structure during the sessions. In post-production, the radio mix was engineered by Scott Riebling and Sean Gould, then mixed by Tom Lord-Alge, who applied reverb and multi-layered effects to achieve a polished, broadcast-ready finish.[11] This approach highlighted the track's commercial appeal, aligning with the album's overall production goal of merging indie rock influences with mainstream pop accessibility.[5]Composition and lyrics
Musical elements
"Shake It" blends pop rock with electronic and dance-punk elements, creating an energetic, synth-driven sound characteristic of late-2000s alternative pop. The song runs for a duration of 3:00, is composed in the key of E major, and maintains a fast tempo of 150 beats per minute (BPM), contributing to its danceable and upbeat vibe.[12][13] The track adheres to a conventional verse-chorus structure, opening with a brief synth-heavy intro that sets an electronic tone, followed by two verses, pre-choruses building tension, repeated choruses that emphasize the hook, a bridge for variation, and a fading outro that reprises the main motif. This format allows for dynamic shifts, with the pre-chorus accelerating the rhythm to heighten anticipation before the explosive chorus release. Instrumentation centers on a pulsating synth bassline that drives the rhythm, complemented by distorted power chords on electric guitar for a rock edge and layered electronic beats that evoke dance-punk energy. The production, handled by SAM and Sluggo, incorporates 1980s synth-pop influences reminiscent of bands like New Order and Depeche Mode, while the guitar work adds a raw, alternative rock texture similar to contemporaries such as The Killers.[4] Vocally, lead singer Mason Musso delivers high-pitched, emotive lines with harmonized layers from guitarist Trace Cyrus, imparting a polished, glossy pop sheen that aligns with the era's mainstream electronic-rock crossover style. This vocal approach enhances the song's catchy, anthemic quality, making it suitable for both radio play and live performances.Lyrical content
The lyrics of "Shake It" by Metro Station explore themes of youthful romance, flirtation, and high-energy party atmospheres, capturing the excitement of a fleeting attraction in a social setting. Lines such as "I'll take you home if you don't leave me at the front door / Your body's cold, but girl, we're getting so warm" highlight a sense of urgent desire and playful seduction, evoking a carefree rebellion against the mundane through spontaneous connection.[14][15] The narrative unfolds from a first-person perspective, serving as a plea to a love interest to embrace the moment and "shake it," which metaphorically represents both letting loose on the dance floor and progressing toward physical intimacy. The story begins with an offer to take the love interest home after an encounter and builds to a climactic invitation to continue the night privately, emphasizing vulnerability and anticipation in young love.[16][5] The language employs colloquial phrasing and repetitive hooks, such as the insistent "shake, shake" chorus, to create catchiness and mimic the rhythm of dancing or escalating passion. Subtle innuendos, like "thinking of ways that I could get inside," infuse the text with flirtatious undertones without overt explicitness, making it accessible and appealing to a teenage audience while allowing for layered interpretations of fun versus sensuality.[15][17]Release and promotion
Single formats and release
"Shake It" was released on April 1, 2008, by Columbia Records as the third single from Metro Station's self-titled debut studio album, which came out in September 2007.[18] The track serves as the fourth song on the album, positioned after "Kelsey" and "Control."[10] The single was initially distributed in the United States, with international releases following in Europe and other regions during 2009.[19] Formats included digital download for online platforms and physical CD single, featuring the radio mix alongside additional content in select editions.[20] Some CD versions incorporated B-sides such as the Lenny B Remix (Extended Version) and live recordings, enhancing promotional appeal.[21] Columbia Records accelerated the single's rollout following the release of the lead single "Kelsey," aiming to leverage the band's emerging online popularity, particularly through MySpace-driven fan engagement that had drawn label attention.[7] This strategic push aligned with broader promotional efforts, including ties to touring schedules.Promotional activities
The promotional campaign for "Shake It" began with a targeted radio push, impacting US pop radio on April 1, 2008, before expanding to heavy rotation on Top 40 outlets nationwide, which helped propel its rise on the Billboard Hot 100.[22] The music video was integrated into MTV programming and YouTube promotions, with campaigns aimed at teenage audiences through viral sharing and music channel rotations to capitalize on the song's dance-pop appeal.[23] Metro Station supported the single through live appearances, including performances at the 2008 mtvU Video Music Awards at Six Flags theme parks and on Jimmy Kimmel Live in September 2008, alongside in-store signings to engage fans directly.[24][25] Digital promotion leveraged platforms like MySpace, where the band had built early buzz as "Artist to Watch" in 2007, offering streams and engaging with fans, while iTunes exclusives and ad campaigns amplified online visibility and downloads.[26]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in 2008, "Shake It" garnered mixed contemporary reviews, with critics often highlighting its infectious hooks and energetic vibe while critiquing its superficiality and reliance on pop-punk tropes. AllMusic reviewer Andrew Leahey awarded the band's self-titled album 2.5 out of 5 stars, criticizing it for sounding "like a teenage My Chemical Romance auditioning for a Fall Out Boy tribute band."[27] Rolling Stone offered a positive take in a 2008 profile, commending the track's danceable energy and "sticky, simple chorus," which they likened to the playful style of early Panic! at the Disco, positioning it as a fun, radio-ready anthem amid the band's rising buzz.[28] Billboard emphasized the song's strong radio potential in coverage of its chart climb, noting its crossover appeal on pop and dance formats, though some commentary critiqued its absence of lyrical depth amid the glossy production.[29] The reception revealed a notable divide between fans and critics: the track resonated strongly with teenagers for its upbeat, party-oriented vibe and MySpace-era aesthetics, driving its viral popularity, while older reviewers often dismissed it as inauthentic or overly commercialized teen pop.Accolades and retrospective views
"Shake It" earned a nomination for Best International Video – Group at the 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards. In later assessments, the song has been recognized for its lasting appeal within 2000s pop culture. Rolling Stone placed "Shake It" at number 34 on its 2025 list of the 50 Best One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s, praising its infectious dance-pop chorus and renewed viral traction on platforms like TikTok, while highlighting its ties to the MySpace-fueled emo-pop scene.[30] Following Metro Station's indefinite breakup in March 2010 amid internal conflicts between co-founders Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso, "Shake It" solidified its status as the band's defining track and a nostalgic emblem of late-2000s teen pop. The duo's 2014 reunion was framed around capitalizing on the song's enduring legacy, with Cyrus noting its role in their initial breakthrough during promotional announcements for new material.[31][32]Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Shake It" achieved significant commercial success upon its release, debuting on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 88 on April 19, 2008, and climbing to its peak position of number 10 during the week of July 5, 2008.[33] The single spent a total of 30 weeks on the chart, demonstrating sustained popularity driven by strong digital sales and radio play.[34] Its airplay performance was particularly notable, reaching number 5 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart and number 2 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart, while also peaking at number 3 on Hot Digital Songs.[35] The success of "Shake It" propelled the band's self-titled debut album to a peak of number 39 on the Billboard 200.[36] Internationally, the song charted in over 20 countries, with strong showings in several markets. It reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, spending 26 weeks in the top 75.[1] In Australia, it peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart. In Canada, it peaked at number 4 on the Canadian Hot 100.[37] Other notable peaks included number 15 on the Euro Digital Tracks chart.[38] In the streaming era, "Shake It" has experienced renewed interest, amassing over 333 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[39] The song saw revivals on TikTok through dance challenges and viral videos in 2022–2024, contributing to increased plays on digital platforms.[40]| Chart (2008–2009) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 10 | 30 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 2 | N/A |
| US Pop 100 Airplay (Billboard) | 5 | N/A |
| US Hot Digital Songs (Billboard) | 3 | N/A |
| Canadian Hot 100 (Billboard) | 4 | 27 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 6 | 26 |
| Australia Singles (ARIA) | 2 | 25 |