Michael Barratt, known professionally as “Shakin’ Stevens,” is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He was the UK’s biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980’s. His recording career began in the late 1960s but it was not until 1980 that his commercial success really began. In the UK alone “Shaky” has charted 33 Top 40 hit singles including the four chart-toppers This Ole House, Green Door, Oh Julie, and Merry Christmas Everyone. His last Top 40 single was Trouble in 2005.
Shakin’ Stevens has released a new single, the catchy rocker All You Need Is Greed. The song has received some fantastic reactions online, with many likening the now 75-year-old Welshman’s latest recording to the late-career reinvention of Johnny Cash.
The song is taken from his new album, Re-Set, which has already been described as “a seriously good album” by some reviewers. Shaky himself has commented:
“Most of the problems we now face in our world have been brought about by the intense and selfish desire for excessive material gain, control and power over others. It may start as need, but quickly intensifies and translates into greed with no thought about the effect on others.”
All You Need Is Greed by Shakin’ Stevens is new this week on RadiJohan.