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To celebrate the release tomorrow of Jerry Lee Lewis’ new album “Mean Old Man“, this week’s Song of the Week is his classic recording “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was released in May 1957, backed with “It’ll Be Me”, and it would become one of Jerry Lee Lewis’ signature tunes and one of the most important early rock songs.

Authorship

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was written by singer/songwriter Dave “Curlee” Williams and bandleader and songwriter James Faye “Roy” Hall in 1955. Hall is credited under the pseudonym Sonny David.

The first recording was by Big Maybelle in March of 1955 and Hall recorded his own version in September of that year. Neither versions made an impact on the charts and both were far removed from Jerry Lee’s later rock ‘n’ roll cover.

Here’s Big Maybelle’s original:

Recording date/location

Jerry Lee Lewis recorded “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” in one take on March 15, 1957 at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis Tennessee. This was Lewis’ second session for Sun Records. The first had produced the single “Crazy Arms”, which hadn’t been a commercial success. Lewis had also been playing on other artists’ records for several months, including Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox.”

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was produced by Jack Clement, who had discovered Jerry Lee Lewis the previous year while Sun Records owner Sam Phillips was on a trip to Florida.

Musicians

As Elvis had done a couple of years before at Sun, Jerry Lee created a full sound with limited musicians on this track. It features only Jerry Lee on vocals and piano, Jimmy Van Eaton on drums and Roland James on lead guitar. There is no bass and no second guitar.

Chart performance

Lewis hit number three on the Billboard pop charts with “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” He also had a number one on both the R&B and Country charts with the song, and a number eight hit in the UK. The chart fortunes of the song in the US were helped greatly by Jerry Lee’s impressive tv debut on The Steve Allen Show on July 28, 1957.

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was Jerry Lee’s second biggest chart single, only eclipsed by his subsequent release, “Great Balls of Fire,” which hit number two on the pop chart and number one in the UK. He never did manage a US number one on the pop chart.

Covers

There have been many fine covers of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by some of the biggest names in rock “n” roll. Of course, Jerry Lee’s own version is a cover, but it’s clear that subsequent versions are inspired by his release rather than the original.

Here’s some excellent versions of the classic song.

Elvis Presley – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

Elvis Presley recorded “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” at a one-day session on September 22, 1970. Elvis offers a new take on the song, with the boogie woogie piano of Jerry Lee’s version replaced by edgy bass and guitar riffs. This is a fine rock ‘n’ roll performance by Elvis, with a brilliantly varied vocal that ranges from bass harmony to a full throated yell.

Elvis’ version of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” featured on his great album “Elvis Country” (I’m 10,000 Years Old)“, which was released in January 1971.

Elton John – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

Elton John recorded “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” for the 2001 tribute album to Sun Records “Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records.” Other stars featured included Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck & Chrissie Hynde, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Bryan Ferry, Sheryl Crow and Chris Isaak.

Wanda Jackson – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

The great rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson featured “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” on her 1964 album “Two Sides of Wanda” alongside rockers such as “Candy Man”, “Honey Don’t” and “Rip It Up.”

Carl Perkins and Friends – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

Carl Perkins had sung “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” for years before leading a rousing rendition of the song during the excellent 1985 tv special “Carl Perkins and Friends.” Joining Carl in the jam were George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds and Rosanne Cash.

There will be a new Song of the Week on September 13.

Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is available on many of his rock ‘n’ roll compilations, including the “Sun Essentials” 4-CD box set and “The Essential Sun Collection” 2-CD set.

Title
Jerry Lee Lewis – The Essential Sun Collection (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Jerry Lee Lewis – Sun Essentials box set (4 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Jerry Lee Lewis – "Mean Old Man" standard edition (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Jerry Lee Lewis – "Mean Old Man" deluxe edition (CD)	Buy Now	N/A	Buy Now	Buy Now