Shake a Hand

"Shake a Hand"
Song by Faye Adams
B-side	"I've Got to Leave You"
Recorded	1953
Genre	Blues [1] gospel [1]
Label	Herald Records
Songwriter(s)	Joe Morris
Faye Adams singles chronology
"Shake a Hand" "I'll Be True"

"Shake a Hand" is a 1953 song written by the trumpeter and bandleader Joe Morris and originally recorded by Faye Adams, ^[2] whose version stayed number one on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart for nine weeks. ^[3]

Background

The song, which has a strong gospel feel throughout, depicts a reassuring new lover making promises: "Just give me a chance, I'll take care of everything. ^[4]

Cover versions

• Red Foley (number 6 country, 1953) ^[5]
• Johnnie Ray (1956) ^[6]
• Pat Boone (on the 1957 album Pat) ^[7]
• The Mike Pedicin Quintet (number 71 pop, 1958) ^[8]
• Little Richard (on the 1959 album The Fabulous Little Richard) ^[9]
• LaVern Baker (number 13 R&B, 1960) ^[10]
• Jackie Wilson and Linda Hopkins (number 21 R&B, number 42 pop, 1963) ^{[11] [12]}
• Freddie Scott (on the 1967 album Are You Lonely for Me?) ^[13]
• Magic Sam (1968, on the posthumous 1993 album Give Me Time ) ^[14]
• Elvis Presley (on the 1975 album Today ) ^[15]
• Ike & Tina Turner (on the 1985 album Golden Empire ) ^[16]
• Lou Ann Barton (on the 1989 album Read My Lips ) ^[17]
• Paul McCartney (on the 1999 album Run Devil Run ) ^[18]

References

1. Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 310. ISBN   0-452-26305-0.
2. "Shake a Hand - Faye Adams | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 23.
4. "Shake a Hand". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
5. "Red Foley - Shake A Hand / Stranded In Deep Water (Shellac)". Discogs.com. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
6. "Shake a Hand - Johnnie Ray | Song Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
7. Arthur Rowe. "Pat - Pat Boone | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
8. "Shake a Hand By: Mike Pedicin Quintet". MusicVF.com. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
9. William Ruhlmann. "The Fabulous Little Richard - Little Richard | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2022-07-22.
10. "LaVern Baker Live in Hollywood '91 - LaVern Baker | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
11. "Faye Adams". Rockabilly.nl. 1923-05-22. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
12. "Shake a Hand - Linda Hopkins,Jackie Wilson | Song Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
13. "Freddie Scott (2) - Are You Lonely For Me?". Discogs.com. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
14. Lindsay Planer. "Give Me Time - Magic Sam | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
15. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Today - Elvis Presley | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
16. Todd Everett. "Golden Empire - Ike & Tina Turner | Songs, Reviews, Credits". The-world-of-tina.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
17. Stewart Mason. "Read My Lips - Lou Ann Barton | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.
18. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Run Devil Run - Paul McCartney | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2017-04-11.