“Freeze!” said the man cruising the beat
“You get your hands up, spread your feet”
“Don’t you move an inch”, I heard him say
“Or you’ll be doin’ time until the judgement day”
And he said, “Don’t tell me no lies, give me alibis
‘Cause if you cross my path, you’ll be doin’ life”
It’s a dirty lie
It’s a shakedown (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
Another shakedown (another nervous shakedown)
Well it’s a shakedown (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
We got a shakedown
Another nervous shakedown
It’s looking like a set-up
“Take a dime,” said the man, “you can make one call”
“You got a one way ticket to the county hall”
Well the judge looked high and I looked low
When he smiled at me it was a one man show
He said, “10-to-5, the jury decides
Double parole, if you survive”
It’s a dirty lie
It’s a shakedown (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
Another shakedown (another nervous shakedown)
Well it’s a shakedown (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
We got a shakedown
Another nervous shakedown
Lord they’re gonna get you this time
And throw away the key
(Lock him up)
It’s a shakedown (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
Another shakedown (another nervous shakedown)
You got a shakedown (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
Well it’s a shakedown (another nervous shakedown)
Shake it down, shake it down (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
Well it’s a shakedown (another nervous shakedown)
Shake it down, shake it down (and it’s a nervous shakedown)
It’s a shakedown
It’s a shakedown on
You
Yes
Exploring the Tension in “Nervous Shakedown”
“Nervous Shakedown” by AC/DC delivers a gritty narrative of confrontation and authority, channeling the feeling of being cornered by the law. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a tense police encounter, where the protagonist faces intimidation and the threat of imprisonment. With lines like “Freeze!” and “Don’t tell me no lies,” the song captures the anxiety and helplessness of the situation, while the repeated chorus amplifies the sense of relentless pressure. AC/DC’s signature hard rock energy underscores the theme, making the track both a sonic and emotional powerhouse.
Interpreting the Message
Beneath the surface, “Nervous Shakedown” can be seen as a commentary on the abuse of authority and the feeling of being powerless against an unfair system. The references to “dirty lie” and “set-up” suggest a lack of trust in those in power, resonating with anyone who has felt unjustly targeted. The song’s driving rhythm and raw vocals enhance the storytelling, making the listener feel the urgency and stakes of the moment.
Song Credits
Artist: AC/DC
Songwriters: Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson
Release Year: 1983
Label: Atlantic Records