Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On: A Raucous Rock and Roll Anthem by Jerry Lee Lewis
In the realm of rock and roll, there are a select few songs that have transcended time and genre, becoming anthems that continue to ignite audiences decades after their release. Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” stands proudly among these timeless classics, a raw and untamed expression of youthful rebellion and untamed energy that has captivated listeners for generations.
Released in 1957, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” marked Lewis’s debut single for Sun Records, a label that would become synonymous with the birth of rock and roll. The song’s opening notes, a furious cascade of piano chords played with untamed abandon by Lewis himself, set the stage for a sonic whirlwind that would soon engulf the music world.
Lewis’s vocals on “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” are as untamed as his piano playing. His voice, a wild mix of hollers, growls, and yelps, perfectly captures the song’s unrestrained energy. The lyrics, though simple, are packed with suggestive double entendres that added to the song’s scandalous appeal.
The song’s B-side, “Little Queenie,” is another Lewis original that showcases his songwriting and piano prowess. With its driving beat and catchy melody, “Little Queenie” is a worthy companion to the A-side’s raw energy.
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was an instant success, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and number 1 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Singles chart. The song’s impact was immediate and far-reaching, helping to define the sound of rock and roll and establishing Lewis as one of the genre’s early pioneers.
The song’s influence can be heard in countless rock and roll acts that followed, from Chuck Berry to The Beatles. Lewis’s wild piano playing and uninhibited vocals inspired generations of musicians, and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” remains a touchstone for rock and roll rebels to this day.
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone, a sonic snapshot of a moment in time when rock and roll was young, raw, and untamed. It’s a song that will continue to shake, rattle, and roll for generations to come.