Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love – 1969

About The Song

“Whole Lotta Love” is a classic rock anthem by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in 1969 on their second studio album, “Led Zeppelin II.” The song is known for its iconic guitar riff, powerful vocals by Robert Plant, and a distinctive mix of blues, hard rock, and psychedelic elements. “Whole Lotta Love” is considered one of Led Zeppelin’s signature tracks and a landmark in the evolution of hard rock music.

5 Facts about Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” (1969):

1. Guitar Riff and Breakdown: The song is instantly recognizable for its legendary guitar riff, created by Jimmy Page. The middle section of “Whole Lotta Love” features a groundbreaking breakdown, characterized by psychedelic sound effects and Plant’s moaning vocals. This experimental section became influential in the development of hard rock and heavy metal.
2. Chart Success: “Whole Lotta Love” achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. It reached the top of the charts in several countries and became Led Zeppelin’s only top-ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Its popularity contributed significantly to the success of the “Led Zeppelin II” album.
3. Controversial Origin: The song’s lyrics are adapted from a Willie Dixon blues track, “You Need Love.” Dixon later filed a lawsuit against Led Zeppelin for copyright infringement, leading to a settlement that acknowledged Dixon’s contribution to the song. This case, among others, fueled discussions about the use of blues elements in rock music.
4. Studio Techniques: “Whole Lotta Love” showcases innovative studio techniques, including the use of tape manipulation and the implementation of the Theremin, an electronic instrument producing eerie, otherworldly sounds. These production choices contributed to the song’s experimental and avant-garde qualities.
5. Live Performances: Led Zeppelin’s live performances of “Whole Lotta Love” became legendary for their improvisational nature. The band often extended the song with instrumental solos and jam sessions, making each rendition a unique experience for the audience. The live versions further solidified the song’s reputation as a cornerstone of Led Zeppelin’s live repertoire.

Video

Lyrics

You need cooling
Baby I’m not fooling
I’m gonna send ya
Back to schooling

A-way down inside
A-honey you need it
I’m gonna give you my love
I’m gonna give you my love

Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love

You’ve been learning
Um baby I been learning
All them good times baby, baby
I’ve been year-yearning

A-way, way down inside
A-honey you need-ah
I’m gonna give you my love, ah
I’m gonna give you my love, ah oh

Whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love

You’ve been cooling
And baby I’ve been drooling
All the good times, baby
I’ve been misusing

A-way, way down inside
I’m gonna give ya my love
I’m gonna give ya every inch of my love
I’m gonna give ya my love

Hey!
Alright! Let’s go!

Whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love

Way down inside
Woman, you need, yeah
Love

My, my, my, my
My, my, my, my
Lord
Shake for me girl

I wanna be your backdoor man
Hey, oh, hey, oh
Hey, oh, hey, oh
Ooh
Oh, oh, oh, oh

Cool, my, my baby
A-keep it cooling baby
A-keep it cooling baby
Ah-keep it cooling baby
Ah-keep it cooling baby
Ah-keep it cooling baby