About the song
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” often rendered as “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On,” is a quintessential rock and roll classic that has left an indelible mark on the genre. Written by Dave “Curlee” Williams and James Faye “Roy” Hall, the song’s origins are a blend of folklore and historical debate. Hall recounted the song’s inspiration stemming from a fishing trip and the use of a bell to summon people, with the phrase “whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on” reflecting the lively scene he observed. While Big Maybelle was the first to record the song in 1955, it was Jerry Lee Lewis’s 1957 version that truly propelled the track into rock and roll stardom.
The song’s journey to fame began with Big Maybelle’s initial recording for Okeh Records, arranged by Quincy Jones. However, it was Lewis’s interpretation that transformed the song into a rockabilly landmark. Recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, in February 1957, Lewis’s rendition featured a dynamic and boisterous arrangement, characterized by a propulsive boogie piano, energetic drumming by J.M. Van Eaton, and Roland Janes’s “muted” guitar riffs. Producer Jack Clement played a crucial role in shaping the recording, steering Lewis toward a more rock and roll sound and encouraging him to embrace a less conventional approach.
Lewis’s version of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was released on April 15, 1957, and quickly became a commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the R&B charts. The single also climbed to No. 1 on the country charts and achieved No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. This explosive success marked a defining moment in Lewis’s career, showcasing his energetic performance style and helping establish him as a leading figure in the burgeoning rock and roll movement.
The song’s legacy extends beyond its initial success. In 1999, Lewis’s 1957 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it was recognized as a rock and roll classic by music critics and scholars alike. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it as the 61st greatest song of all time in 2004, and it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2005. Critics have hailed the song as a defining rockabilly anthem and a cornerstone of rock and roll’s early development, with Cub Koda describing it as a “rock & roll classic” and Charles L. Ponce de Leon noting its quintessential rockabilly status.
In summary, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” remains an iconic track that encapsulates the exuberance and rebellious spirit of early rock and roll. Jerry Lee Lewis’s electrifying version not only solidified his place in music history but also contributed significantly to the genre’s evolution.
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