This is really the song that got me obsessed with Depeche Mode. A simple-decepetively simple- harmony line pulls you in from the first few seconds. Personally it gives me shivers every time I play it. As always, Martin's lyrics speak to emotions we can all relate to- who hasn't felt like talking to someone you care about or want to care about is akin to having a sickness (ie. 'shake the disease') that makes you lose all reason, vocal ability and common sense? I know I can personally relate. The remixes take the song to a whole new level, and I highly recommend the 'Edit the Shake' version for those who think they can't get hardcore.

I can never resist listening to the whole song after hearing that intro. The infamous sound of Martin "moaning" in a painful exausted sort of way. I read somewhere that this is one of Martin Gore's favourite songs, you can understand why after listening to it.

I love this song, everything from the hard 80's sound, to the deep emotional lyrics.

What makes the musical part of the song so good is all the light ambient sampled sounds combined with the piercing sound of a drum snare. Usually with DM songs, you can listen to over and over and find new or deeper meanings with the lyrics. The best part about this song is the fact that you can listen to it and hear new melodies and sounds in the background that are *perfectly* in tune with the rest of the song.

Its quite hard to descirbe actually, you have to really listen to the song. You can tell this a song they must have worked on hard (sample/music wise at least) there are so many backing sounds and melodies, it is a masterpiece.

This is one of Depeche Mode's best songs ever and I'm baffled as to why it didn't make it onto an album. I haven't heard this particular CD so I have no input on the remixes, but both "Shake the Disease" and the B-side, "Flexible", can be found on the "Catching Up With Depeche Mode" CD which, along with "Violator", were my introduction to the band. "Shake the Disease is the best track on "Catching Up..." so this must get a five star rating. "Flexible" is interesting and one should own copies of both these songs, either on this CD single or by way of "Catching Up..." or "Singles: 81-85". Get this song.

There's nothing better than a great Depeche Mode single, except maybe a great RARE depeche mode song--and I'm not even talking about the B-sides and remixes.

Unless you own either version of "The Singles 81<85" you probably aren't too familiar with "Shake the Disease" if at all, since it was only available on those compialations and never on an actual album. Shake the disease is another one of DM's catchier pop songs that will be loved by fans of anything from Some Great Reward all the way onto Violator. Shake the disease is a song that's easy to sing along to and easy to love. I'm so glad it was re-released as a single.

The other tracks are also well worth the money. "Flexible" is a very unique song to the DM catalog. At first I was a bit disappointed at the fact that this song fits more with what DM was doing in 1982 rather than it's more progressive gothic pop revolution in 1986 but do be warned, once you listen to it a couple of times, you'll be hooked. Then there's the metal mix of "Something to do", which in my opinion is a very underrated song. All mixes of this song are welcomed by me but this one is definitely one of the best ever DM remixes of all time. You'll love the little tinny sounds and noises put together to remake this classic song as though it was being played on an old music box. It's so well done that the band could have gotten away with keeping this song as an instrumental but I'm very glad that they did add the vocals because Dave's voice always adds that signature DM feel.

Another great DM single, just like the other obscure DM song; "It's called a heart".

Most of the reviews of this album talk about the title track and Flexible, but i think that the mix of Something To Do is very important as well, and it's the reason i bought the cd. WAY LONG TIME AGO when Violator came out there was a signing party in LA, and it got busted up by the cops. All the people that stood in line but did not get in were given a copy of the metal mix of Something To Do. As someone with many singles and several bootlegs of DM material, i think this is positively one of the best mixes of all time, like the death mix of Fly on the Windscreen. The heavy emphasis on the tremble electronic sounds, so typical of 80's electro-pop, is energizing rather than cheesy. And although i like the spareness of some of DM's music, i fill like this mix is fuller, and more resolved. it makes me want to dance, and cry...what more is there to say?