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Shaking the Tree (song)

"Shakin' the Tree" is a 1989 song by Youssou N'Dour and Peter Gabriel from the Youssou N'Dour album The Lion.[1] Released as a single, it reached number 61 on the UK official singles chart on 3 June 1989.[2]

"Shakin' the Tree"

"Old Tucson"

22 May 1989

5:38

The following year, Gabriel released a new version on his greatest hits album Shaking the Tree, altering the title slightly and recording a new vocal take.[3] This version was released as a double A-side single with "Solsbury Hill", which reached number 57 on the UK official singles chart on 29 December 1990.[4]

Composition and versions[edit]

The song follows a verse-chorus structure and its lyrics relate to the desire for female liberation in Senagal. Some of the vocals were sung in N'Dour's native Wolof language.[5] To promote the song, an accompanying music video was filmed in Africa.[6]


During the 1993–1994 Secret World Tour, an eight-foot tree designed by Gabriel and Robert Lepage emerged from the middle of a circular stage.[6][7] A live recording from this tour was included on Gabriel's Secret World Live album in 1994.[3]


David Bottrill was commissioned to remix the song as a b-side for Gabriel's 1993 "Kiss that Frog" single.[3] Versions with additional vocals by Shaggy appeared on the soundtracks to Jungle 2 Jungle (1997) and The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002).[8][9] The Bottril and Jungle 2 Jungle remixes were included on Gabriel's 2019 Flotsam and Jetsam compilation album.[3]

Legacy[edit]

Ghanaian writer Meri Nana-Ama Danquah highlighted the song in her book, Shaking the Tree, saying that she drew "a lot of inspiration from the lyrics, which encourage women to challenge the status quo, to be the architects of our future."[10]

– lead and backing vocals

Youssou N’Dour

– lead and backing vocals, Yamaha CP80, Prophet D50

Peter Gabriel

George Acogny – percussion sequencing, guitars, backing vocals

CMI

– trumpet

Guy Barker

John Barclay – trumpet

Pete Beachill – trumpet

Roger Bolton – drum programming

– organ, piano, keyboard bass

Simon Clark

– guitar, bass

Habib Faye

– drums

Manu Katché

– electric and acoustic guitars

David Rhodes

Phil Todd – saxophones

[11]