AOTM: Seger’s “Shakedown” Hits Number One in August 1987

Bob Seger’s song from Beverly Hills Cop II reached number one in August of 1987.

Considered one of the best movies of 1984, Beverly Hills Cop gave Eddie Murphy stardom and began the franchise of Axel Foley. In 1987, Beverly Hills Cops II hit theaters with mixed critical review, but was equally successful with movie goers. Both films featured amazing soundtracks with star-studded talent. Bob Seger was a part of the second film’s soundtrack and saw his song “Shakedown” hit number one in August of 1987.

The music and score for the film was written by Harold Faltermeyer, however, Seger changed the lyrics to “Shakedown”. In an article with Billboard, Seger revealed that he didn’t like the lyrics. According to Seger there, “…were a lot of lyrics about working undercover, I didn’t like them, so I threw them all out. I decided to write it my way and they trusted my judgment (Billboard Book of Number One Hits).” He went over to Irving Azoff’s house, the then president of MCA Records, to play an updated verse and a half from the song. Azoff loved the new lyrics. Seger finished the song in four days and recorded it a few days later. However, Seger was not the first choice for “Shakedown”.

Prior to Seger being called by Azoff to do “Shakedown” it was going to go to his good friend and colleague, Glenn Frey. Frey had enjoyed success on the first Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack with his hit “The Heat is On” and was asked to sing “Shakedown” for the second installment in the film series. Billboard revealed that Frey didn’t like the lyrics and later came down with laryngitis. With Frey out, Azoff had to find someone. Seger was the “…first person Irving called…(Billboard Book of Number One Hits).” Seger accepted the offer, worked on the song, and it landed on the chart.

In 1987, “Shakedown” entered the Billboard Hot 100 at 52 and gained momentum in its eleventh week. It was in August of 1987, Seger finally hit number one. The song would stay on the Billboard Hot 100 for 18 weeks and solidify Seger’s impact in music. When Glenn Frey saw the success of Seger’s song, he called him up and said, “At least we kept the money in Michigan (Billboard Book of Number One Hits)!” Even though the song was a huge success, Seger stated he didn’t think the song was his best or one of his signature songs, so he did not include it on his first compilation of songs titled Greatest Hits. However, the song was eventually included on his second greatest hits album.

(Bob Seger “Shakedown” official music video courtesy of YouTube.)

The song “Shakedown” from Beverly Hill Cop II went to number one in August of 1987. The chart-topper was originally intended for Glenn Frey, however, Frey had to walk away from the song and it landed in Seger’s lap. A little lyric adjustment and Seger’s number one hit was born. Although the song was not in Seger’s signature style, it helped secure his spot in music and sit him at the top spot.

~Jenna Jakes, WOGB

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