Song Details
- Artist
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Album
- Original Sun Greatest Hits
- Released
- 1957
- Genre
- Rock & Roll, Rockabilly
- Length
- 2:52
¶ Deep Analysis
If Elvis was the King of Rock and Roll, Jerry Lee Lewis was its wild, untamable jester. "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" captures a performance so frantic it feels like the piano is about to explode.
One Take
Recorded at Sun Studio, Lewis and his band nailed this in one take. Lewis reportedly argued that they couldn't possibly improve on the energy of that first run-through, and he was right.
The song is famous for its breakdown section, where Lewis lowers his voice to a suggestive purr ("Easy now... wiggle it around just a little bit"), causing improved scandals nationwide.
@ History & Impact
-
1
Steve Allen Show
When Lewis performed the song on The Steve Allen Show, he kicked his piano bench across the stage, creating one of the most iconic images of rock rebellion.
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2
Banned
Many radio stations banned the song for its suggestive lyrics ("we got a whole lotta shakin' goin' on" wasn't interpreted as dancing), which naturally only made it more popular.