Songs You May Not Know Were Covers Vol. 6: Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On (#2)

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After a long and tough day for the family I’m home. I’ll tell you something amazing about country life in another discussion, but for now I’ll spring another surprise on you: a big hit song that you may not know was a cover! Here’s today’s song. #2: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On Last year I saw Linda Gail Lewis, Jerry Lee Lewis’ little sister, in concert with Robbie Fulks. One of the encores was “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” complete with the entire audience singing, “Who’s barn? What barn? My barn!” at the appropriate time. You may not particularly care for it, but this early rock and roll classic is one of those “requirements” for you to know before you get your rock and roll fan card. It’s one of the definitive songs for rock, Jerry Lee, and the 50s. So where’d he get it from? If you’ve seen the biopic Great Balls of Fire you may know this is a cover. In 1955 an R&B singer named Big Maybelle recorded the song. Her version is slower than the Jerry Lee Lewis rendition, emphasizing the “blues” while Jerry Lee took care of the “rhythm” in his classic version. One of rock and roll’s “Mount Rushmore” of songs. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On Written by Dave “Curley” Williams Originally recorded by Big Maybelle, 1955 Famously covered by Jerry Lee Lewis, 1957 Come on over baby: