Originally recorded by Big Maybelle, an R&B artist, this Rock and Roll staple has enjoyed recurring popularity ever since. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On is perhaps the original party-til-you-drop song. On the surface the lyrics are about the singer calling all her friends over for raucous music and wild dancing. Under the surface, the lyrics hint that there might be another kinda shakin’ going on. The racy lyrics, the irresistible beat and joyful sound made the song a huge R&B hit when it debuted in 1955.
Big Maybelle.
Stylistically, Whole Lotta Shakin’ featured an earthy sound built upon a strong horn section and a prominent percussion beat. Once it hit the airwaves, musicians and bands have been covering Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On ever since including Elvis Presley, Chubby Checkers, Little Richard and and Jerry Lee Lewis.
It was Lewis who first brought the song over to rock n roll. As soon as he heard it, Lewis adapted the song to suit his rockabilly style and wild man demeanor. He de-emphasized the drums and saxophones and brought his signature piano playing into the spotlight. He also adapted the lyrics to heighten their suggestive nature – mostly through his unscripted commentary during the bridge. “Shake it one time for ME!” is one suggestive line which scandalized the censors. Lewis integrated the hit into his live performances.
Despite its popularity in the live shows, Sam Phillips, Lewis’ producer at Sun Records, refused to put it on an album exactly because it was so suggestive. Eventually, Lewis persuaded Phillips to release it as a single in 1957. It shot to #3 on the Billboard 100 and to #1 on the country charts. It even reached #8 in England and #13 in Europe. While Lewis was correct about the song’s success, Phillips had been correct about how the older generation’s reaction. The song was banned from radio play by BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc), but Sun Records appealed the decision and won. Nevertheless, many radio stations, especially in the South, refused to play it.
Whole Lotta Shakin’s enduring popularity inspired many other artists to experiment with versions of the song. After playing the song in his live performances, Elvis recorded the song in 1970 and performed it during a television special in 1973. Elvis’ signature vocals and deeper voice brought back earthy feel of Maybelle’s version. His arrangement brought guitar and drums back into the foreground increasing its rhythm and blues feeling. He also cleaned up most of Lewis’ suggestive lyrics.
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On never disappears from popular music for very long, probably due to how easily it hops from one genre to another. The heavy metal band, Mountain, released a metal version and Georgia Satellites returned it to its rockabilly roots. No matter which genre, every version pulls people out of their seats and onto the dance floor. But its historical importance doesn’t end there. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On was the first of a long list of rock songs celebrating the sheer joy of dancing to loud, raucous music. Songs like Jailhouse Rock, Rock and Roll All Night, I Love Rock and Roll, Don’t Stop the Music and Bubblegum B*tch are all parts of a proud musical lineage which began with Big Maybelle belting out Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On!