Introduction:
By the dawn of the 1970s, the landscape of popular music had undergone a dramatic transformation. Rock and roll, the genre that Elvis Presley had pioneered a decade earlier, had splintered into various subgenres, with acts like Led Zeppelin and The Who pushing the boundaries of sound and theatrics. Elvis himself, after a meteoric rise in the 1950s, had found himself navigating a changing industry. His film career had stalled, and his musical output, while commercially successful, leaned more towards pop standards and ballads.
However, 1970 marked a turning point for the King. He returned to live performing in Las Vegas after a seven-year hiatus, captivating audiences with his electrifying stage presence and a renewed focus on his rock and roll roots. This newfound energy spilled over into the recording studio, culminating in the release of Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On in 1971.
Produced by Felton Jarvis, a longtime collaborator who had worked with Elvis on his gospel recordings, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On wasn’t a new song. Written by Dave Williams and Sunny David, the track had originally been released in 1957 by Jerry Lee Lewis, another early rock and roll pioneer known for his wild piano playing and energetic performances. However, in Elvis’s hands, the song took on a new life.
Elvis’s trademark deep baritone vocals delivered the song’s suggestive lyrics with a playful wink, while the stripped-down instrumentation – featuring a pounding backbeat, a driving bassline, and a searing guitar solo – pulsated with raw energy. The track became a highlight of his live shows, showcasing his ability to reignite the fire that had initially ignited the rock and roll revolution.
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit, but it resonated with fans and critics alike. It served as a powerful reminder of Elvis’s undeniable charisma and his enduring influence on rock and roll. The song’s legacy extends beyond its commercial success. It stands as a testament to Elvis’s artistic evolution, his ability to adapt to changing times, and his unwavering dedication to the music that made him a king.
Video:
Lyrics:
I said come on over, babyA-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ onYeah, I said come on over babyA-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ onWell, we ain’t fakin’,A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Mmm, I said come on over, babyWe got chickens in the barnWhose barn? What barn? My barnCome on over babyWe got the bull by the hornsYeah, we ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Well, I said shake, baby, shakeI said shake, baby shake, nowI said shake it, baby, shake itI said shake, baby, shakeWe ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Well, I said come on over, babyA-whole lot-ta shakin’ goin’ onI said come on over babyA-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ onWe ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Well, ma-ma-mamaI said shake, baby, shakeI said shake, baby, shakeI said shake baby, shake, alrightI said shake, baby, shakeWe ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Well, I said come on over, babyA-whole lot-ta shakin’ goin’ onI said come on over babyA-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ onWe ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Easy nowI said shake, baby, shakeI said shake, baby, shake nowI said shake, baby, shake, alrightI said shake, baby, shakeWe ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Yeah, I said come on over, babyA-whole lot-ta shakin’ goin’ onYeah, I said come on over, babyA-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ onYeah, we ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Yeah, ma-ma-mamaI said shake, baby, shakeI said shake, baby, shake, nowI said shake baby, shake, all nightI said shake, baby, shake, right rightYou ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
I said shake, baby, shake, now, nowI said shake, baby, shake, now, nowI said shake baby, shake, alrightI said shake, baby, shakeWe ain’t fakin’A-whole, whole, baby
I said shake, baby, shake, shakeWe ain’t fakin’A-whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
Ain’t nothing in this world that I don’t knowI saved King David’s lifeAnd he offered me a wifeI said now you’re talking businessHave a chair