What's The Story Behind Jerry Lee Lewis's Hit "What"?

Jerry Lee Lewis's "What" is a 1961 single by the American singer-pianist, known for its lively rock and roll style and evocative lyrics.

The song explores themes of unrequited love and longing, with Lewis's impassioned vocals and energetic piano playing conveying the emotional intensity of the subject matter. "What" quickly rose to the top of the music charts, becoming a signature hit for Lewis and solidifying his reputation as one of the most influential figures in rock and roll history.

This article will delve into the historical significance of "What," examining its lyrical content, musical style, and impact on popular culture.

Jerry Lee Lewis's "What"

The key aspects of Jerry Lee Lewis's "What" that contributed to its success and lasting impact include:

• Lyrical simplicity and emotional depth
• Catchy and infectious melody
• Energetic and dynamic piano playing
• Lewis's charismatic and passionate vocals
• Innovative and groundbreaking rock and roll sound
• Commercial and critical success
• Influence on subsequent generations of musicians
• Cultural and historical significance
• Enduring popularity and appeal
• Legacy as a rock and roll classic

These aspects combined to create a song that is both timeless and timely, resonating with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. "What" remains a beloved and iconic rock and roll anthem, showcasing the enduring talent and influence of Jerry Lee Lewis.

Lyrical simplicity and emotional depth

In Jerry Lee Lewis's "What", lyrical simplicity and emotional depth go hand in hand, creating a powerful and evocative song that resonates with listeners on a deeply personal level.

• Simplicity of language: The lyrics of "What" are straightforward and easy to understand, using everyday language and avoiding complex or abstract concepts.
• Emotional intensity: Despite their simplicity, the lyrics convey a powerful sense of longing, heartache, and desperation, capturing the raw emotions of unrequited love.
• Use of repetition: Lewis's repeated use of the word "what" throughout the song creates a sense of urgency and desperation, emphasizing the intensity of the singer's emotions.
• Contrast between simplicity and complexity: The simplicity of the lyrics is contrasted with the complexity of the emotions they express, creating a tension that adds to the song's impact.

The combination of lyrical simplicity and emotional depth in "What" allows Lewis to convey universal themes of love, loss, and longing in a way that is both accessible and deeply moving. The song's simplicity ensures that its message is clear and direct, while its emotional depth gives it a timeless and universal appeal.

Catchy and infectious melody

The catchy and infectious melody of "Jerry Lee Lewis's What" is a key factor in its enduring popularity and appeal.

• Simple and memorable: The melody of "What" is simple and easy to remember, with a clear and concise structure that makes it instantly recognizable.
• Effective use of repetition: Lewis's repeated use of the same melodic phrase throughout the song creates a sense of familiarity and builds momentum, making the melody even more catchy and memorable.
• Driving rhythm: The melody of "What" is perfectly matched to the song's driving rhythm, creating a sense of excitement and energy that propels the song forward.
• Piano-driven: Lewis's iconic piano playing is a major contributor to the song's catchy melody. His energetic and rhythmic piano work provides a solid foundation for the melody and helps to drive the song's infectious energy.

These elements combine to create a melody that is both catchy and infectious, making "Jerry Lee Lewis's What" a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

Energetic and dynamic piano playing

Jerry Lee Lewis's energetic and dynamic piano playing is an essential element of "What", contributing to its infectious energy and overall impact. Lewis's unique style is characterized by its:

• Driving rhythms: Lewis's powerful and rhythmic piano work provides a solid foundation for the song, propelling it forward with a sense of urgency and excitement.
• Percussive touch: Lewis often uses a percussive touch on the piano, creating a sense of drama and intensity. This percussive approach adds to the song's raw and energetic feel.
• Spontaneous improvisation: Lewis is known for his spontaneous and improvisational style of playing, which adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to his performances. In "What," his piano solo is a perfect example of his improvisational skills, showcasing his ability to create something new and exciting on the spot.
• Influence on rock and roll: Lewis's energetic and dynamic piano playing had a profound influence on the development of rock and roll music. His innovative approach to the piano helped to define the sound of early rock and roll and inspired countless other musicians.

Together, these elements combine to create a piano performance that is both technically impressive and emotionally charged. Lewis's energetic and dynamic piano playing is a major factor in the success and enduring popularity of "What," and it continues to inspire and influence musicians to this day.

Lewis's charismatic and passionate vocals

Lewis's charismatic and passionate vocals are an essential part of "What," contributing to its raw energy and emotional impact. Lewis's unique vocal style is characterized by its:

• Raw and powerful: Lewis's vocals on "What" are raw and powerful, conveying the intensity of the song's emotions. His voice is full of grit and passion, perfectly capturing the desperation and longing of the lyrics.
• Energetic and rhythmic: Lewis's vocals are energetic and rhythmic, matching the driving rhythm of the song. His delivery is full of syncopation and accents, adding to the song's infectious energy.
• Improvisational and spontaneous: Lewis's vocals on "What" are often improvisational and spontaneous, showcasing his ability to create something new and exciting in the moment. His vocals are full of unexpected turns and phrases, adding to the song's raw and unpredictable feel.
• Influential and iconic: Lewis's charismatic and passionate vocals on "What" have been hugely influential on subsequent generations of singers. His unique vocal style helped to define the sound of early rock and roll and continues to inspire singers to this day.

These elements combine to create a vocal performance that is both technically impressive and emotionally charged. Lewis's charismatic and passionate vocals are a major factor in the success and enduring popularity of "What," and they continue to inspire and influence musicians to this day.

Innovative and groundbreaking rock and roll sound

Jerry Lee Lewis's "What" is widely regarded as a groundbreaking and innovative rock and roll song, and its unique sound played a pivotal role in shaping the genre's early development. Lewis's innovative approach to the piano, combined with his raw and energetic vocals, helped to create a new and exciting sound that would influence countless musicians to come.

One of the most striking things about "What" is Lewis's use of the piano. He plays with a percussive, driving style that is unlike anything that had been heard in rock and roll before. His left hand provides a steady, rhythmic foundation, while his right hand dances across the keys, creating a series of syncopated melodies and accents. This innovative approach to the piano helped to give "What" its distinctive sound and energy.

Lewis's vocals are equally innovative and groundbreaking. He sings with a raw, passionate intensity that perfectly captures the song's emotional content. His voice is full of grit and emotion, and he uses a variety of vocal techniques, including falsetto and growling, to create a truly unique and unforgettable sound.

The combination of Lewis's innovative piano playing and his raw vocals creates a sound that is both exciting and accessible. "What" is a song that is both catchy and complex, and it has had a profound impact on the development of rock and roll music. Lewis's innovative approach to the genre helped to push the boundaries of what was possible, and his music continues to inspire and influence musicians to this day.

Commercial and critical success

Jerry Lee Lewis's "What" was a commercial and critical success, achieving widespread recognition and acclaim. The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961 and remained there for five weeks. It also topped the charts in several other countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada. In addition to its commercial success, "What" received critical acclaim, with many critics praising Lewis's innovative piano playing and raw vocals.

• Chart performance: "What" reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961 and remained there for five weeks. It also topped the charts in several other countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada.
• Sales figures: "What" sold over two million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of 1961.
• Critical reception: "What" received critical acclaim, with many critics praising Lewis's innovative piano playing and raw vocals. The song was included in Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
• Impact on Lewis's career: "What" was a major breakthrough for Lewis, helping to establish him as one of the most popular and influential rock and roll artists of the 1960s.

The commercial and critical success of "What" helped to cement Lewis's status as a rock and roll icon. The song remains one of his most popular and enduring hits, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Influence on subsequent generations of musicians

As one of the pioneers of rock and roll, Jerry Lee Lewis's impact on music is undeniable. His iconic song "What" provided a blueprint for generations of musicians, influencing various aspects of their craft.

• Piano playing: Lewis's innovative piano style, characterized by its percussive touch and rhythmic drive, inspired countless musicians, from Elton John to Bruce Springsteen.
• Vocal delivery: His raw and passionate vocals, marked by their emotional intensity and improvisational flair, set a new standard for rock and roll singing.
• Songwriting: "What" showcased Lewis's songwriting prowess, demonstrating his ability to craft catchy melodies and poignant lyrics that resonated with audiences.
• Stage presence: Lewis's energetic and uninhibited stage presence, often involving acrobatic piano playing and flamboyant gestures, influenced the performance styles of many subsequent rock stars.

In conclusion, Jerry Lee Lewis's "What" had a profound influence on subsequent generations of musicians, shaping their approach to piano playing, vocal delivery, songwriting, and stagecraft. His legacy as a rock and roll pioneer continues to inspire and influence artists to this day.

Cultural and historical significance

Jerry Lee Lewis's "What" is a song that is both culturally and historically significant. It is a product of its time, and it reflects the social and cultural changes that were taking place in the United States in the early 1960s. The song's lyrics are simple and direct, but they speak to universal themes of love, loss, and longing. The song's music is energetic and infectious, and it has been praised for its innovative use of the piano.

"What" was a major hit when it was released in 1961, and it helped to establish Lewis as one of the most popular rock and roll stars of the era. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and it remains a popular classic today. It is a song that has had a lasting impact on American culture, and it is considered to be one of the most important songs of the rock and roll era.

The cultural and historical significance of "What" can be seen in its impact on popular culture. The song has been featured in numerous films and television shows, and it has been used in advertising campaigns. The song has also been parodied and imitated by other artists. This shows that "What" is a song that has resonated with people for generations, and it continues to be a relevant and influential song today.

Enduring popularity and appeal

The enduring popularity and appeal of "Jerry Lee Lewis's What" can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its timeless lyrical themes, catchy melody, energetic piano playing, and cultural significance.

• Universal themes: The song's lyrics explore universal themes of love, loss, and longing, which resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
• Catchy melody: The song's melody is simple and memorable, with a driving rhythm that keeps listeners engaged.
• Energetic piano playing: Lewis's energetic and innovative piano playing is a major factor in the song's appeal. His unique style is full of passion and intensity, and it helps to create a sense of excitement and urgency.
• Cultural significance: "What" is considered to be one of the most important songs of the rock and roll era. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, and it remains a popular classic today.

These factors have combined to create a song that has stood the test of time. "What" is a song that continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages, and it is sure to remain a popular classic for many years to come.

Legacy as a rock and roll classic

Jerry Lee Lewis's "What" has achieved the status of a rock and roll classic, solidifying its place in the annals of music history. This distinction is a testament to the song's enduring popularity, critical acclaim, and profound impact on the genre.

The song's legacy as a rock and roll classic is not merely a matter of historical recognition but an active force that continues to shape its significance. The enduring popularity of "What" ensures that it remains a touchstone for rock and roll enthusiasts, inspiring new generations of musicians and captivating audiences worldwide. The song's critical acclaim, as evidenced by its inclusion in prestigious lists and accolades, further cements its status as a canonical work within the genre.

Furthermore, "What" has had a profound impact on the development of rock and roll music. Its innovative combination of Lewis's signature piano playing, raw vocals, and catchy melody has influenced countless artists and shaped the sound of rock and roll for decades. The song's enduring legacy is evident in its countless covers, tributes, and references in popular culture.

In conclusion, our exploration of "Jerry Lee Lewis's What" has revealed the intertwined factors that have contributed to its enduring legacy as a rock and roll classic. The song's timeless themes of love and longing, coupled with its catchy melody and energetic piano playing, have ensured its enduring popularity. Its critical acclaim and profound impact on the genre further solidify its status as a canonical work.

The key points highlighted in this article are the song's:

• Universal appeal and enduring popularity
• Innovative combination of musical elements
• Profound impact on the development of rock and roll music

These elements are interconnected, forming a cohesive whole that has captivated audiences for generations. "What" stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to move and inspire, and it continues to be a touchstone for rock and roll enthusiasts worldwide.

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