10 Best Songs With The Word ‘Whole’ In The Title

10 Best Songs With The Word 'Whole' In The Title

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Whether it’s a song about giving your “whole” heart, a “whole” lot of trouble, or a “whole” world in one person’s hands, these tracks show just how much power a single word can carry when paired with the right melody and voice. We picked ten pretty interesting ones for this list.

Jerry Lee Lewis brought “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” to life with a pounding piano and fearless swagger that helped define rock and roll’s first wave. AC/DC’s “Whole Lotta Rosie” cranked up the amps to deliver one of their most ferocious anthems, built on Bon Scott’s electrifying vocal delivery. Stevie Nicks turned inward on “Whole Lotta Trouble,” laying bare vulnerability and defiance wrapped in one of her most compelling late-‘80s performances. Bon Jovi’s “Whole Lot of Leavin’” shifted the focus to heartbreak and regret, reminding listeners that even larger-than-life rock stars know the pain of walking away. The Byrds’ “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better” became a definitive jangle-pop anthem of disillusionment, blending bright guitars with lyrics about picking up the pieces after a romantic fallout.

Sammy Hagar’s “Whole Lotta Zep” paid loud and proud tribute to Led Zeppelin, capturing the essence of their sound while reminding fans of rock’s roots. Dion offered a spiritual counterpoint with “(He’s Got) The Whole World in His Hands,” turning a gospel classic into a contemplative and soulful moment on Born to Be with You. Paul McCartney and Dave Stewart’s “Whole Life” tackled reflection and perseverance, written for a cause greater than themselves while showcasing McCartney’s enduring songwriting brilliance. And with all the fire and energy expected of a rock pioneer, Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” (worth mentioning twice for its sheer cultural impact) set a precedent that songs with whole in the title aren’t just about words—they’re about shaking the foundations of what music can do.

# 10 – Whole Wide World – The Rolling Stones

We open up this fun list featuring songs with the word ‘whole’ in the title with one of the greatest bands of all time. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones. If you haven’t heard the new Rolling Stones album, which has been out for over a year now, then you’re missing out on a really great rock and roll record. It’s amazing that these guys who are hitting 80 are still putting out such killer music. This is one of my favorite songs on the new album Hackney Diamonds.

# 9 – Whole Life – Paul McCartney

I guess while on the topic of rockstars who are hitting 80 or above, here is one from the most famous rock star of all time. I would bet my Sonny And Cher 8 track tape that most people have never heard this song. Paul McCartney and Dave Stewart of Eurythmics co-wrote and recorded “Whole Life”, a powerful track that showcases the combined talents of these two legendary artists. Although their original collaboration on the song dates back to 1995, the track remained tucked away in the vaults for years until a rough mix finally surfaced on McCartney’s Flaming Pie Archive Collection in 2020. It wasn’t until 2003 that they revisited and re-recorded “Whole Life,” this time with the backing of McCartney’s full live band, giving the song new energy and purpose.

The song’s revival was closely tied to Stewart’s deep involvement with Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The campaign’s name, 46664, was Mandela’s prison number during his 18-year imprisonment on Robben Island, and in 2002 Mandela personally granted Stewart permission to use it for the cause. Stewart reached out to McCartney to contribute to this humanitarian effort, and “Whole Life” became part of that mission.

Shortly after its recording, “Whole Life” was made available for download through the official 46664.com website as part of the campaign’s efforts to spread its message worldwide. In 2005, the track saw an official release on the One Year On 46664 EP, which appeared digitally on Apple iTunes in January and later on a limited physical CD in Spain that April.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Paul McCartney Songs

# 8 – Whole Lotta Trouble – Stevie Nicks

“Whole Lotta Trouble” stands as one of Stevie Nicks’ sharpest declarations of empowerment and defiance, released as the lead single from her 1989 album The Other Side of the Mirror. Co-written with Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the song was recorded in 1988 and produced by Rupert Hine, who brought a polished yet edgy sound to Nicks’ signature style. With searing lyrics like “You got a whole lotta trouble, you got a whole lotta nothin’,” Nicks delivers a powerful warning wrapped in a driving rock arrangement, spotlighting her ability to blend vulnerability with fierce independence.

The track features Waddy Wachtel on guitar, who injects a sharp bite into the song’s rhythm, alongside other members of her longtime backing band. Though it only reached No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Whole Lotta Trouble” earned Nicks a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female, reflecting critical respect for its uncompromising spirit. As part of this list focusing on songs with “whole” in the title, Nicks uses the word to frame a narrative about breaking free from toxic entanglements, making it not just a rock anthem but a personal declaration of survival and strength

# 7 – Whole Lot Of Leavin’ – Bon Jovi

“Whole Lot of Leavin’” by Bon Jovi captures the restless spirit of a life spent in motion, reflecting on themes of love, distance, and emotional disconnection. Released as the third single from their 2007 album Lost Highway, the song was co-written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and recorded in 2006 at Blackbird Studios and The Sound Kitchen in Nashville, Tennessee. Produced by Dann Huff along with Bon Jovi and Sambora, the track is infused with a country-rock flavor that marked the band’s stylistic shift on Lost Highway, blending their classic arena rock sound with contemporary country influences.

Driven by Sambora’s smooth guitar work and Bon Jovi’s plaintive vocals, “Whole Lot of Leavin’” confronts the emotional cost of always being on the move, with lyrics like “It’s been a whole lot of leavin’ goin’ on” echoing the tension between longing for stability and the demands of a restless heart. Though it was not released as a physical single in the U.S., the song charted in various countries, reaching No. 62 on the Canadian Hot 100. Its somber yet melodic composition makes it a natural fit for a list focused on songs featuring “whole” in the title, with Bon Jovi using the word to frame a story of fragmented relationships and life on the road.

# 6 – Whole Lotta Rosie – AC/DC

Well, we couldn’t leave this one out. “Whole Lotta Rosie” stands as one of AC/DC’s most enduring and explosive tracks, closing out their 1977 album Let There Be Rock with an unforgettable burst of raw energy and audacious storytelling. Recorded in January and February of that year at Albert Studios in Sydney, Australia, and produced by the legendary duo Harry Vanda and George Young, the song features the classic lineup of Bon Scott on vocals, Angus and Malcolm Young on guitars, Mark Evans on bass, and Phil Rudd on drums.

# 5 – I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better – The Byrds

“I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better” by The Byrds is one of the definitive tracks of the 1960s folk-rock explosion, written by Gene Clark and featured on the band’s landmark 1965 debut album Mr. Tambourine Man. Recorded in April 1965 at Columbia Studios in Hollywood, California, and produced by Terry Melcher, the song captures the jangly Rickenbacker guitar sound that would become the group’s signature, with Jim (later Roger) McGuinn on lead guitar, David Crosby on rhythm guitar, Chris Hillman on bass, Michael Clarke on drums, and Clark himself delivering the song’s lead vocals.

Lyrically, “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better” is a sharp breakup anthem that blends vulnerability with defiance, as Clark reflects on betrayal and self-preservation through lines like “I’ll probably feel a whole lot better when you’re gone.” Though released as the B-side to the hit single “All I Really Want to Do,” the track garnered substantial radio play in its own right and has since become one of The Byrds’ most beloved and influential songs, covered by artists ranging from Tom Petty to Johnny Rivers. Its combination of shimmering guitar lines, tight harmonies, and emotionally honest lyrics cements its place as a cornerstone of folk-rock and a prime example of how the word “whole” can frame the complex process of moving on.

# 4 – Whole Lotta Zep – Sammy Hagar

Sammy Hagar’s tribute to Led Zeppelin is a whole lotta fun and a perfect fit for this list. “Whole Lotta Zep” was featured on Sammy Hagar’s 2002 studio album Not 4 Sale, which was recorded between 2001 and 2002 at Red Rocker Recording in San Rafael, California. Produced by Hagar himself, along with Bob Daspit, the track serves as a medley-style homage that weaves together iconic Zeppelin riffs and song references, capturing both the spirit and sonic ferocity of the legendary band. Hagar, joined by Vic Johnson on guitar, Mona Gnader on bass, and David Lauser on drums, channels Robert Plant’s primal energy while reinterpreting some of Zeppelin’s most famous licks with his own hard rock flair.

# 3 – (He’s Got) The Whole World in His Hands – Dion

When you’re picking a song as famous as this one, which hundreds of artists have covered, the challenge becomes the choice of which artist’s version to represent it. We went with Dion’s version which sounds nothing like almost anyone else’s recording of this famous traditional song. One may even think that it’s even the same song “(He’s Got) The Whole World in His Hands” appears on his 1975 album Born to Be with You, a record famously produced by Phil Spector and recorded between 1974 and 1975 at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles.

Dion’s stirring vocal performance, backed by Spector’s dense instrumental textures and choir-like backing vocals, gives the song a profound emotional weight, turning its message of spiritual assurance—”He’s got the whole world in His hands”—into a personal meditation on salvation and resilience. While Born to Be with You was largely overlooked upon release, it has since been praised as one of Dion’s most profound artistic statements, with this track standing out as a moment of quiet conviction and spiritual depth that resonates with the concept of holding on to a sense of completeness in an uncertain world.

Read More: Top 10 Dion And The Belmonts Songs

# 2 – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On – Jerry Lee Lewis

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” became the song that launched Jerry Lee Lewis into rock and roll history when it was recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, in February 1957 under the direction of legendary producer Jack Clement. Although originally written and first recorded by Big Maybelle in 1955, Lewis transformed the track into an explosive fusion of boogie-woogie piano, rockabilly swagger, and unrestrained vocals, backed by J.W. Brown on bass and Jimmy Van Eaton on drums.

With its iconic opening piano riff and provocative lyrics like “Come on over baby, we got chicken in the barn,” Lewis turned “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” into a celebration of wild energy and rebellious spirit. Released by Sun Records in April 1957, the song soared to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart, and also dominated the country charts, signaling the cross-genre appeal that helped define early rock and roll. Lewis’ uninhibited performance style, which famously included pounding piano keys and kicking over his bench on live television, cemented the song’s reputation as a cornerstone of the genre. Within the context of this list focusing on “whole” in the title, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” stands out as a track that doesn’t just use the word—it explodes with it, embodying a full-throttle attitude that shook up the music world and still resonates decades later.

Read More: Top 10 Jerry Lee Lewis Songs

# 1 – Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin

“Led Zeppelin: There is no substitute!” Joel Goodson

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