Jerry Lee Lewis Songs Ranked
Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American singer, musician, and pianist, often known by his nickname, The Killer. He has been described as “rock & roll’s first great wild man and one of the most influential pianists of the twentieth century.”
A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis made his first recordings in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis. “Crazy Arms” sold 300,000 copies in the South, but it was his 1957 hit “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” that shot Lewis to fame worldwide. He followed this with “Great Balls of Fire”, “Breathless” and “High School Confidential”. However, Lewis’s rock and roll career faltered in the wake of his marriage to Myra Gale Brown, his 13-year-old cousin.
Lewis’s successes continued throughout the decades and he embraced his rock and roll past with songs such as a cover of the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace” and Mack Vickery’s “Rockin’ My Life Away”. In the 21st century, Lewis continues to tour around the world and still releases new albums. His 2006 album Last Man Standing is his best selling to date, with over a million copies sold worldwide. This was followed by Mean Old Man in 2010, which has received some of the best sales of Lewis’s career. Music critic Robert Christgau has said of Lewis: “His drive, his timing, his offhand vocal power, his unmistakable boogie-plus piano, and his absolute confidence in the face of the void make Jerry Lee the quintessential rock and roller.” Here are all of Jerry Lee Lewis‘ songs ranked.
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20. Middle Aged Crazy (Jerry Lee Lewis – Live, 1977)
“A nice piece of art. It’s a beautiful song and Lewis sounds great in it. It is one of Jerry’s most artistic works..”
19. Chantilly Lace (Another Place, Another Time, 1968)
“The melody is beautiful and all the warm references to the small towns in its lyrics just make it an enjoyable piece of music.”
18. Lewis Boogie (Live at the Star Club, Hamburg, 1964)
“A strange release, this was the first single issued after the scandal. One side is his “Lewis Boogie”, a song by himself and about himself, a theme that’s dear to his heart and the first of his many, many autobiographical/self-referential songs. Very furious, inviting and fun (Elvis also gets a mention).”
17. I’ll Fly Away (The Survivors, 1982)
“Simply beautiful with a fantastic guitar riff. Excellent sound; almost a cry for a new chance. Last verse gets me every time.”
See more: Jerry Lee Lewis Albums Ranked
16. 39 and Holding (Killer Country, 1980)
“Such a good riff! Keeps you excited the whole way through and its not to hard to play either! A great song with really skilful music. Definitely my favourite keeps my days exciting!”
15. Over the Rainbow (Killer Country, 1980)
“The song in its original form stood for innocence and hope, here it gets a different meaning from a man in the autumn of his years with not much left to hope for – breaks you heart the way Jerry sings it… “there’s a land ol’ Jerry dreamed it once in a lullaby”.. there goes another highlight in his career.”
14. It’ll Be Me (Jerry Lee Lewis, 1957)
“The most underrated song ever made should definitely be number 1 and that’s saying something. No song by any artist is as perfectly constructed as this”
13. Old Time Religion (Old Time Religion, 2011)
“Recorded in 1970 I’ve been told, and Jerry is in fine voice and form, he’s raising hell and praising the lord all night long…”
12. End of the Road (Golden Hits of Jerry Lee Lewis, 1964)
“The way is dark, the night is long, I don’t care if I never get home – I’m waiting at the end of the road.” – these are the words that Jerry Lee Lewis fittingly introduces himself to the world.. “End of the Road” is a tough, catchy rocker that Jerry claims to have written himself, but it’s actually a rip-off from Irving Berlin’s “Waiting at the End of the Road”. It’s pretty much in the spirit of Jerry Lee with its dark and mysterious touch.”
11. Sometimes a Memory Ain’t Enough (Sometimes a Memory Ain’t Enough, 1973)
“I just love control and measured approach to this most treasured piece of music and lyrics. His best song – the lyrics say much more than their words. If it doesn’t move you, you haven’t got a heart.”
10. Breathless (Duets: Jerry Lee Lewis and Friends, 1958)
“Watch out folks, there’s a killer on the loose. Mr. Lewis bangs the hell out of his piano and “maintains” with this very up tempo ode to a seductive young lady. She has left him aahhh breathless.”
9. When Two Worlds Collide (When Two Worlds Collide, 1980)
“This song takes the listener through a variety of emotional phases and it tells a story that’s impossible to describe. It gives me goosebumps when I hear it.”
8. Wild One (Real Wild Child) (Duets: Jerry Lee Lewis and Friends, 1958)
“In my opinion this is one of the best songs ever. The lyrics are just awesome, and the music fits the lyrics perfectly. And then Lewis’s voice which makes it even better!”
7. Star Spangled Banner (Last Man Standing, 2006)
“I love this song.. For me it’s his best song..deep meaning full..my favorite song to sing at the camp fire. So poetic and beautiful. You can quote every line from this song, they’re all so perfect.”
See more: Stephen Stills Albums Ranked
6. High School Confidential (Jerry Lee Lewis, 1958)
“His last stint in the Top 20 before the scandal that would overshadow and ridicule his musical legacy for the next years. Damn the press! The A-side is one great furious rocker, a song written for a teen exploitation movie, that only Jerry could turn into something that would make people cherish it and write about it 50 years later. Fine poppy, countrified ballad at the flip again.”
5. Crazy Arms (Jerry Lee Lewis, 1958)
“This is Jerry’s debut single. It’s quite enjoyable but lacks the venom of forth coming singles that would soon earn him the title, THE KILLER.”
4. Just a Bummin’ Around (Last Man Standing, 2006)
“From beginning to end the power never lets up. The lyrics are spoken rapid fire, bombarding the listener senseless, and before you know it the journey’s over.”
3. Don’t Be Ashamed of Your Age (Last Man Standing, 2006)
“Jerry Lee always has been about playing the shit out of the piano as if the world might end any moment and now this is truer than ever (for him at least). He shows no sign of slowing down or getting sentimental and gives us a top-notch performance, you’d never think the guy is in his 70s.”
2. Great Balls of Fire (Great Balls of Fire, 1957)
“The song is Lewis at his finest, everything is firing on all cylinders here. Jerry shows off his piano skills with vigour, sweeping up and down the keys like a man possessed. There’s even a fantastic, manic solo. Lewis’ distinctive vocals are also on full display here, full of energy and with some great variety.”
1. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, 1957)
“It seems the recordings date from the Sun sessions, but I’m always listening to it to see if it’s 60’s or 50’s one. One more from the cool picture discs collection of Maybellene label.”