Singer and Musician Eddie Money Dead at 70
Eddie Money passed away this morning at age 70 from cancer. My condolcnese to his family.
If you want to read about Eddie Money’s career I suggest you switch over to the dozens of news stories that will be talking about it today. Rather than talk about his dead and refer to him as the “Two Tickets to Paradise singer” I wanted to remember him by talking about my favorite Eddie Money song.
Rosanna’s daddy had a car she loved to drive
Stole the keys one night and took me for a ride
Turned up the music just as loud as it could go
Blew out the speakers in her daddy’s radio
She was shakin’ (oh oh ooh oh)
I first heard about Eddie Money watching the 2000’s sitcom King of Queens starring Kevin James. In season 4 episode 23 of the show Eddie Money guest stars as himself singing for Kevin James’ character in his living room. For whatever reason that less than minute appearance stuck with me and made me laugh. I discovered his music after that.
Released as a single in 1982, Shakin by Eddie Money reached #63 on the Billboards Hot Top 100 chart. It is one of those underrated car songs that is easily to overlook or forget you knew. The song is about a hot girl in a fast car who takes Money on a high speed ride. Seeing that concept from a car-guy’s perspective is like watching a familiar day dream. A shared fantasy that has been a common theme with other songs like Fun, Fun, Fun by the Beach Boys, and Mustang Sally by Wilson Pickett, who also sang about intimidating gorgeous women piloting high speed machines.
The music video for Shakin by Eddie Money stars Rosanna a beautiful woman, played by Patricia Kotero, behind the wheel of a blue 1970s Chevrolet Laguna low rider. She steals the keys, cranks up the tunes, and picks up Eddie for a night of cruising and night moves.
They park amongst fellow low riders in front of Rae’s diner (still in business today). Rosanna is challenged by another car to a race. A maroon ’65 Chevy Impala lines up next to the blue Laguna for a midnight drag. The song makes you think of streetlights beams reflecting off freshly waxed paint, one handed steering while popping up the collar on a shirt.
I was surprised when I heard about his death. I hope he is at peace now. I can’t read the word “shaking” without hearing his voice. Anyone with a Radwood era car should jam to an Eddie Money song this weekend.
Thank you for the music Eddie Money, rest in peace.
Jesus Behind the Wheel 