About the song
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is a seminal rock and roll track that embodies the exuberance and raw energy of the genre. Written by Dave “Curlee” Williams and sometimes co-credited to James Faye “Roy” Hall, the song was first recorded by Big Maybelle in 1955. However, it is Jerry Lee Lewis’s 1957 version that is most famously associated with the track.
The origins of the song are somewhat disputed. According to Hall, the inspiration came from a conversation he had while fishing in Pahokee, Florida. A local’s description of a bell ringing and various instruments used for keeping time sparked the idea that eventually became the song. Big Maybelle’s original recording, produced by Quincy Jones, was credited to D. C. Williams and established the song’s initial presence. Hall, under the pseudonym “Sunny David,” also recorded the track for Decca Records in 1955, claiming co-authorship.
Jerry Lee Lewis’s interpretation of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” marked a transformative moment in rock and roll. Recorded in February 1957 at Sun Records, Lewis’s version was produced by Jack Clement, who encouraged Lewis to infuse the song with a distinctive rock and roll flair. The resulting track featured a pulsating boogie-woogie piano, dynamic drumming by J.M. Van Eaton, and a lively guitar performance by Roland Janes. The song’s provocative spoken asides and energetic delivery helped it stand out as a pioneering rock and roll anthem.
Upon its release, the single quickly achieved commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the R&B charts, and No. 1 on the country charts. It also made an impact internationally, peaking at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart. Jerry Lee Lewis’s electrifying performance established him as a major force in rock and roll, proving that the genre was more than just guitars and vocal performances—it was a dynamic, engaging experience.
The song’s influence has endured over the decades. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and is recognized as a quintessential rockabilly anthem. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it as the 61st greatest song of all time. The Library of Congress selected the track for permanent preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2005, underscoring its lasting impact on American music.
In addition to its original version, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” has been covered by various artists, including Chubby Checker, who released his version in 1960. The song also appeared in the Broadway musical *Million Dollar Quartet*, where Levi Kreis portrayed Jerry Lee Lewis and performed the track.
Overall, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” remains a landmark recording in rock and roll history, celebrated for its groundbreaking energy and Lewis’s unforgettable performance.
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