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What you don’t know/ Don’t be afraid/ Just listen to me/ And do what I say…
Also known as: Hip Shake Written by: James Moore a.k.a. Slim Harpo Recorded: Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, Oct. 17-31 1970; Rolling Stones Mobile, Nellcote, France, July-Oct-Nov. 1971; Sunset Sound Studios, Los Angeles, USA, Dec. 1971-March 1972; RCA Studios, Los Angeles, USA, March 1972 *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book The Rolling Stones Complete Recording Sessions 1962-2012
Mick Jagger: vocals, harmonica Keith Richards: rhythm guitar Mick Taylor: rhythm and lead guitar Bill Wyman: bass Charlie Watts: drums Guest musicians: Ian Stewart (piano), Bobby Keys (tenor saxophone)
When The Rolling Stones revisited Louisiana blues in 1972 with Shake Your Hips they weren’t just covering another Slim Harpo track—they were diving headfirst into the hypnotic, swampy rhythms that made him a legend. Known offstage as James Moore, Harpo had a knack for crafting dance-instruction songs that pulled listeners into their own groove, and the Stones captured that spirit perfectly. Mick Jagger’s sultry Southern drawl makes it easy to imagine him cutting a rug by the bayou, while paying homage to the bluesman who inspired him.
The guitars of Keith Richards and Mick Taylor lock into a rhythm so tight it feels like one instrument with two voices. Charlie Watts’ rim-snare and Bill Wyman’s grooving bass provide the pulse, while Jagger’s vocals and harmonica add the sensual flair that turns a simple blues number into a full-on experience.
From its swampy roots to its rock ‘n’ roll swagger, Shake Your Hips proves how the Stones could honor tradition while making it undeniably their own.
More about The Rolling Stones’ take on Shake Your Hips
*By Marcelo Sonaglioni
A Bayou Beat Reimagined
Six years after laying down I’m a King Bee The Rolling Stones returned to Louisiana blues with another Slim Harpo number, Shake Your Hips. Known offstage as James Moore, Harpo was a defining figure in electric Louisiana blues, also called swamp blues, and his hypnotic, shoeshine rhythms had already influenced a generation of musicians. The Stones honor the original spirit fully, yet add their own swagger: Mick Jagger, channeling a Southern accent that makes it hard to believe he wasn’t raised along a bayou, guides listeners into a sensual dance. With lyrics instructing, “Don’t move your head, don’t move your hands/Don’t move your lips, just shake your hips,” and a nod to the bluesman—“Well, I met a girl in a country town. She said ‘what do you know, there’s Slim Harpo!’”—the track balances homage and charisma, blending reverence with the band’s unmistakable energy.
Production and Guitar Interplay
From its opening notes Shake Your Hips (also called Hip Shake in handwritten album notes) sets a rhythm that would later echo in ZZ Top’s La Grange (1973), though it’s clear the Texans borrowed heavily from Harpo. The Stones’ version starts with Keith Richards on what was most likely his Telecaster in open G tuning. Mick Taylor immediately joins, weaving a guitar texture so tight that their notes feel indistinguishable. The sonic palette is firmly rooted in blues tradition, enhanced with a slap-back echo that keeps the track lively. Charlie Watts taps the metal rim of his snare in rockabilly style while Bill Wyman’s bass provides a grounding groove. The Stones’ arrangement maintains a relentless, machinelike drive, letting Jagger’s sensual vocals ride over the hypnotic beat before introducing harmonica flourishes in the coda.
Harpo’s Original and Legacy
Slim Harpo first recorded Shake Your Hips in February 1966 at J. D. Miller’s Crowley, Louisiana studios. Produced for Excello Records as a follow-up to his hit Baby Scratch My Back, it became the album’s lead track in October 1966. Music historian Martin Hawkins describes it as a “dance-instruction song with a fast-paced, hypnotic shoeshine beat.” Contributions by Lazy Lester on percussion and Katie Webster on organ enhance the signature swampy texture. The Stones’ cover remains strikingly faithful to these elements, preserving the song’s foundational grooves while elevating it with electric guitar interplay, echo effects, and Jagger’s playful vocal nuances. In doing so, the band transforms a regional blues gem into a performance that feels both timeless and electrifying.
Influence on Rock and Blues
While Shake Your Hips predates ZZ Top’s La Grange, its impact on rock extended beyond that single track. ZZ Top also drew from John Lee Hooker’s Boogie Chillen (1948), which prompted a short-lived plagiarism lawsuit. Ultimately, the court ruled the rhythm was in the public domain, affirming that these blues foundations were cultural touchstones rather than proprietary riffs. The Stones, by faithfully interpreting Harpo, participate in this lineage, demonstrating how swamp blues rhythms could traverse decades and genres. Their version not only honors Harpo but underscores how Southern blues grooves became a backbone for rock musicians seeking both authenticity and raw energy.
Instrumentation and Sonic Detail
The arrangement of Shake Your Hips on the Stones’ version is meticulous. Keith Richards’ Telecaster leads, with Mick Taylor intertwining guitar lines, while Charlie Watts’ rim-snare patterns drive a rockabilly pulse. Bill Wyman’s bass anchors the track, establishing a powerful yet supple foundation, and Bobby Keys doubles Taylor’s counter-rhythms before a concise solo at 1:27. Jagger’s vocals, enhanced with subtle delay, shift from lyrical seduction to harmonica calls that echo Harpo’s original phrasing. Although Ian Stewart is credited on piano, his part seems eliminated in the final mix, allowing the guitars and rhythm section to dominate. The result is a track that merges Southern blues authenticity with the Stones’ unmistakable swagger, hypnotically compelling from start to finish.
Mick Taylor (2002): “It was Mick’s idea to cover Slim Harpo’s Shake Your Hips and Robert Johnson’s Stop Breaking Down.”
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