Jerry Lee Lewis – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – 1957

About The Song

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis, released in 1957, is a rock and roll classic that catapulted Lewis to stardom. Known for its lively piano riffs, energetic vocals, and uninhibited performance style, the song became a symbol of the rebellious spirit of early rock and roll.

5 Facts about “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” (1957):

1. Impromptu Recording: The recording of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was somewhat impromptu. Jerry Lee Lewis was in the studio to record a different song, but during a break, he started playing “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” on the piano. The producers decided to capture this spontaneous performance, and it became the iconic version we know today.
2. Innovative Piano Playing: Jerry Lee Lewis’s piano playing in “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is distinctive and groundbreaking. His energetic and flamboyant piano style, which included playing with his feet, added a dynamic element to the song and contributed to its rock and roll appeal.
3. Chart Success: The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard pop chart and topping the Billboard R&B chart. “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” marked Jerry Lee Lewis’s breakthrough into mainstream popularity and established him as a significant figure in the early rock and roll scene.
4. Controversial Reception: Jerry Lee Lewis’s wild stage presence and controversial personal life contributed to the song’s impact and notoriety. The uninhibited energy of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” raised eyebrows at the time, and Lewis’s performances became known for their rebellious and provocative nature.
5. Cultural Impact: The song’s title and lyrics, with its exuberant proclamation of “Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on,” captured the carefree and rebellious spirit of the rock and roll era. “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” has since become a rock standard and has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, solidifying its place in music history.

Video

Lyrics

Come on over, baby, whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Yes I said come on over, baby, baby, you can’t go wrong
We ain’t fakin’ a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on

Well, I said come on over, baby, we got chicken in the barn
Come on over, baby, babe, I got the bull by the horns
We ain’t fakin’, a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on

Well, shake, baby, shake
I said shake, baby, shake
I said shake it, baby, shake it
Well shake, baby, shake

Come on over, whole lot of shakin goin’ on
Ah let’s go

Well, come over, baby, we got chicken in the barn
Whose barn, what barn, my barn
Come on over, baby, better got your bull by the horn
We ain’t fakin’, whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on

Easy now
Shake it, oh, shake it, baby
Yeah, you can shake one time for me
Well, I said on come over, baby, whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on
Now let’s get real low one time now

Shake, baby, shake
All you gotta, honey, is kinda stand in one spot
Wiggle around just a little bit
That’s what you gotta do, yeah
Ooh, babe, whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Now let’s go one time

Shake it, babe, shake it
Shake it, babe, shake
Shake it, babe, come on, babe
Shake it, babe, shake it
Come on over, whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on