Shake a Hand

"Shake a Hand" is a 1953 song written by the trumpeter and bandleader Joe Morris and originally recorded by Faye Adams,[1] whose version stayed number one on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart for nine weeks.[2]

"Shake a Hand"
Song

Song 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.[3]

Cover versions

• Red Foley (number 6 country, 1953)[4]
• Johnnie Ray (1956)[5]
• Pat Boone (on the 1957 album Pat)[6]
• Little Richard, the Mike Pedicin Quintet (number 71 pop, 1958)[7]
• LaVern Baker (number 13 R&B, 1960)[8]
• Jackie Wilson and Linda Hopkins (number 21 R&B, number 42 pop, 1963) [9][10]
• Freddie Scott (on the 1967 album Are You Lonely for Me?)[11]
• Magic Sam (1968, on the posthumous 1993 album Give Me Time)[12]
• Elvis Presley (on the 1975 album Today)[13]
• Ike & Tina Turner (on the 1985 album Golden Empire)[14]
• Lou Ann Barton (on the 1989 album Read My Lips)[15]
• Paul McCartney (on the 1999 album Run Devil Run)[16]

References

1. "Shake a Hand - Faye Adams | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 23.
3. https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/faye-adams/shake-a-hand
4. "Red Foley - Shake A Hand / Stranded In Deep Water (Shellac)". Discogs.com. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
5. "Shake a Hand - Johnnie Ray | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
6. Arthur Rowe. "Pat - Pat Boone | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
7. "Shake a Hand - Little Richard | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
8. "LaVern Baker Live in Hollywood '91 - LaVern Baker | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
9. "Faye Adams". Rockabilly.nl. 1923-05-22. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
10. "Shake a Hand - Linda Hopkins,Jackie Wilson | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
11. "Freddie Scott (2) - Are You Lonely For Me?". Discogs.com. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
12. Lindsay Planer. "Give Me Time - Magic Sam | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
13. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Today - Elvis Presley | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
14. Todd Everett. "Golden Empire - Ike & Tina Turner | Songs, Reviews, Credits". Striped Horse Records. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
15. Stewart Mason. "Read My Lips - Lou Ann Barton | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
16. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Run Devil Run - Paul McCartney | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-04-11.