Founded by Farrell and original bass guitarist Eric Avery, following the disintegration of Farrell's previous band Psi Com, Jane's Addiction was one of the first bands from the early 1990s alternative rock movement to gain both mainstream media attention and commercial success in the United States. Jane's Addiction's first release was a self-titled live album in 1987 and quickly caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records. The band's first two studio albums, Nothing's Shocking (1988) and Ritual de lo Habitual (1990), were released to widespread critical acclaim, and an increasing cult fanbase. As a result, Jane's Addiction became icons of what Farrell dubbed the "Alternative Nation". The band's initial farewell tour, in 1991, launched the first Lollapalooza, which has since become a perennial alternative rock festival.
The band briefly reunited in 1997, with Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, replacing Avery on bass guitar. In 2001, a second reunion took place, with Martyn LeNoble—and later Chris Chaney—occupying the role of bass guitarist. In 2003, the band released its third studio album, Strays, before dissolving again the following year.
In 2008, the band's original line-up reunited and embarked on a world tour. Eric Avery, however, subsequently left the band in early 2010 as the group began working on new material. The band released its fourth studio album The Great Escape Artist in 2011, with Chaney returning to the band for its recording and subsequent tour. In 2016, Jane's Addiction were nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Whole Lotta Love
Jane's Addiction Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I'm not fooling
I'm gonna send you
Back to schooling
Way down inside, you know
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my love
Wanna whole lotta love
I wanna whole lotta love
Gotta whole lotta love
You've been learning
I been learning
All them good times
Baby, baby, I've been yearning
Way way down inside
You need love
I'm gonna give it to my love
I'm gonna give you my love
Wanna whole lotta love
I wanna whole lotta love
Gotta whole lotta love
You've been learning
I've been yearning
For the good times
Baby, I've been yearning
Way way down inside
You need love
I'm gonna give you
Every inch of my love
Gonna give you my love
Wanna whole lotta love
I gotta whole lotta love
Gotta whole lotta love
Way down inside woman
You need love
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
Shake for me
Shake for me, baby
Shake for me
Shake for me, girl
The lyrics to Jane's Addiction's version of Whole Lotta Love are a mix of the original Led Zeppelin version and Jane's Addiction's own style. The song speaks of the desire for love and a physical connection with someone. The singer speaks of giving their love to the person they desire and yearning for the same in return. They ask the person to shake for them, implying a sexual desire for physical intimacy. The lyrics "way down inside, you need love" suggest that the person they are addressing may have a deep need for love and attention. The line "back to schooling" suggests that the person may need to learn how to love and be loved in a healthy way.
Overall, the lyrics are about the desire for love and physical intimacy, and the idea that both parties need to be willing to learn how to give and receive that love in a healthy way. The repeated lines about shaking for the singer also suggest a desire for physical connection and pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
You need cooling
You need to calm down
Baby, I'm not fooling
I'm serious
I'm gonna send you
I'll make sure you understand
Back to schooling
I'll teach you
Way down inside, you know
Deep inside, you understand
I'm gonna give you my love
I'll show you affection
Wanna whole lotta love
I want a lot of love
You've been learning
You've been getting better
I been learning
I've also been getting better
All them good times
All the happy moments
Baby, baby, I've been yearning
I've been craving for it
Way way down inside
Deep, deep inside
You need love
You need affection
Gonna give it to my love
I'll show you affection
I gotta whole lotta love
I have a lot of love
Way down inside woman
Deep inside, my lady
Shake for me
Dance for me
Shake for me, baby
Dance for me, darling
Shake for me, girl
Dance for me, girl
Contributed by Molly V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.