Los Shakers - Break It All (1966)

While the British Invasion was taking America by storm, there was a lesser-known influence of British bands being made in Latin America, as well. The Uruguayan Invasion, similar to the British Invasion, was an influx of British-inspired Uruguayan bands making their mark in Argentina. Among the top Uruguayan acts of the period were Los Mockers, fashioned after The Rolling Stones, and this band, fashioned after The Beatles.

Formed in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1963, this band was a huge hit in Argentina. Appearance-wise, they fashioned matching Beatles-suits and sported Beatles haircuts. The band sang entirely in English and primarily sounded like a lot of the British hits from the mid-‘60s. They were originally known as The Shakers, but quickly changed their name to that seen above after the release of their first single (“My Bonnie”) in 1965. The band’s last album, La Conferencia Secreta del Toto’s Bar, released in 1968, was not promoted or supported by their label, EMI, because of its harsh, psychedelic sound. The label didn’t approve of the band’s new direction. Resulting from the lack of push, the album bombed and the group split up, not reuniting until 2005.

This song appeared on the band’s 1966 Break It All album, which was the first release by the band that was commercially available in North America. As with most of the band’s songs, this track was written by band members and brothers, Hugo and Osvaldo Fattoruso. Osvaldo passed away from cancer on July 29, 2012 at the age of sixty-four.



Los Shakers - Break It All (1966)

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Lyrics:

We want you to come
We want you to hear
We want you to dance
Dance all night long

But when the music start
Don’t stand there like a fool
And break it all
You listen me
Break it all

If you’re getting tired
If you’re getting sad
Cannot shake with that
Break plans tonight

But when the music start
Don’t stand there like a fool
And break it all
You listen me
Break it all

If you’re alone
Or nobody shake with you
Oh, please don’t mind
And shake, oh yeah

Now, we know you’re fine
Do the shake, do the shake
Oh yeah
And break it all
You listen me
Break it all

We want you to come
We want you to hear
We want you to dance
Dance all night long

But when the music start
Don’t stand there like a fool
And break it all
You listen me
Break it all

If you’re alone
Or nobody shake with you
Oh, please don’t mind
And shake, oh yeah

Now, we know you’re fine
Do the shake, do the shake
Oh yeah
And break it all
You listen me
Break it all

We want you to come
We want you to hear
We want you to dance
Dance all night long

But when the music start
Don’t stand there like a fool
And break it all
You listen me
Break it all

And break it all
You listen me
Break it all

And break it all
You listen me
Break all