Writers: Led Zeppelin
Producer: Jimmy Page
Recorded: 1969 at Olympic Studios, London
Released: November 7, 1969
| Players: | Robert Plant — vocals Jimmy Page — guitar John Paul Jones — bass John Bonham — drums |
| Album: | Led Zeppelin II (Atlantic, 1969) |
“Whole Lotta Love” peaked at Number Four on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1969. It is Led Zeppelin's highest charting single.
“Whole Lotta Love” sold more than a million copies as a single.
For the song's avant-garde middle section, guitarist Jimmy Page used a theremin, an electronic oscillator that allows the user to alter sounds into strange, space-age noises.
The edited single version of the song was made over the band's objections, after radio stations in America began creating their own edited versions. The band wanted Atlantic Records to release “Whole Lotta Love” at its full 5:34, which was almost double the standard length for a single in 1969.
“Living Loving Maid” was the B-side on the U.S. single.
“Whole Lotta Love” was never released as a single in the U.K.
The song was a favorite of U.S. troops in Vietnam.
“Whole Lotta Love” was the traditional show-closer for Zeppelin's shows during the 70s, often expanded to include medleys of old rock-and-roll songs.
Blues legend Willie Dixon sued Zeppelin in 1987, claiming “Whole Lotta Love” plagiarized his song “You Need Love.” The suit was settled out of court.
Page, singer Robert Plant, and bassist John Paul Jones played the song as part of Led Zeppelin's 1985 Live Aid reunion set.
