Music Review: Debbie Gibson "Shake Your Love"

Shake Your Love
Album: Out Of The Blue
Year: 1987

Debbie Gibson adores her boyfriend despite their break from each other in the expectant "Shake Your Love."

Excited synths open the single, setting a direct tone. The chorus starts the song. She says she can't forget him and all they had together.

"Shake your love/I just can't shake your love/Shake your love/I just can't shake your love/Shake your love/I just can;t shake/Shake your love/I just can't shake your love."

In the first verse, she says she's enarmored by him again. As she was washing the dishes, it occurred to her how much she missed doing the simple things with him. He made everything fun. It's not a casual thing anymore for her. It's a solid, serious relationship and she feels bonded to him. During their time off, she's been dissecting her emotions for him. She's come to the conclusion that she can't provide any reasons for them to break up permenantly. It's the best answer she can give him.

"I'm under a spell again/Boy, I'm wondering why/This is not a game of love/But an emotional tie/I'mtrying to figure out my heart/But I can’t offer you proof/Of why we should never be apart/And that is the, that is the truth."

The chorus is sung again.

In the second verse, she asks him if he has ever noticed the heartsick looks and the crank calls. It's because she's afraid to him about how she really feels. The situation wouldn't be so awkward if they had only known each other for a couple weeks. She could chalk it up to experience and move on. However, they've known each other for over two years and she's aware of how he feels about temporary breakups. He thinks she should be concrete and not vague.

"Do you know why I stop and stare/And smile when you walk by?/And how I call you up at night/I hang up the phone and I cry/If I never got to know you so well/Maybe I would be fine/Baby, you know that I can't tell/Why you should be, you should be mine."

The chorus is sung again.

In the bridge, she says he sees his sparkle and dance when he sees her. He would like to work on their relationship and find out what went wrong. She's estactic that he wants to get back together.

"Oh, I know what you're thinking/I see it in your eyes/You want to give our love another try/I'm so glad you realized."

The chorus is sung five times to close the single.

For Gibson, it's the first serious relationship she's ever had. The confusion and the worry she was with a guy she didn't truly love. The love she was accustomed to was fast, intense, and fiery. It would fizzle eventually. However, it was she thought it was. With him, her love was building slowly after the initial rush. She didn't understand why she wasn't feeling it as strongly. However, she discovered the rush wasn't necessary. A deep love is in the emotional bond they share.

Her clear, light vocals are whimsical and precise. She exudes a sophisticated, kind attitude which makes her likeable, despite her indecision.

The exuberant dance pop arrangement literally has all the bells and whistles on top of the excited synths and clapping drum machine. However, it's kept to a minimum and sticks to the synths and drums.

The jubilant "Shake Your Love" is a bit of silly fun.

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