“Shake Em Off” is a track about ignoring the critics and being self-assured in the life one pursues.
Throughout the song, Syd brags about her successes, christening herself a “young star in the making.” The track’s braggadocios nature is only compounded by the fact that it’s the first track on her...
[Intro]
Hello?
What’s good…
Nah I’m fine…
Yeah…
[Verse 1]
I’m drowning in doubt and frustration
Can't sleep 'cause I’m anxious
Counting sheep and all
I’m sipping some liquor, go figure
Getting lit with my niggas 'cause we done seen it all
Don’t worry 'bout what I’m doing
What’s it to you if I live dazed and confused?
This isn’t for your amusement, this ain't no pay per view
It’s just the life that I choose
[Chorus]
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
There's nothing you can tell me, I'm grown
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
I’d rather you say nothing at all
[Verse 2]
Back and forth, now I'm pacing
Young star in the making
Swear they sleeping on me
They pump me up to deflate me
I'm so close I can taste it, oh you don't even know (nah)
Don’t worry 'bout how I'm living
It’s none of your business
Who I'm with or where I stay (don't trip)
I told em but they wouldn't listen
Now they praying and wishing
To be me for the day
So I say
[Chorus]
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
There's nothing you can tell me, I'm grown
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
Shake 'em off
I’d rather you say nothing at all
[Outro]
Gone
Shake Em Off was written by Hit-Boy & Syd & Nick Green.
Shake Em Off was produced by Hit-Boy.
Syd released Shake Em Off on Fri Feb 03 2017.
During a Q&A, Syd said:
“Shake Em Off” is about shaking off haters and stress. It’s not about anybody specific. A lot of people think is like a cheating song and it kinda is.
During a Red Bull Music Academy lecture, Syd said: