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
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day
‘Til eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with
If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with