Best Songs That Reference "Rock And Roll"

Cafe Society
1

Either in their title or as a main theme. Many will say “Rock And Roll” by Zeppelin. Let’s dig deeper. As a general rule of thumb, by the 1980’s, it became pretty cheesy to “rock” or in other words, write songs that referenced it. By the 1990’s, that reference was GONE.

And probably rightly so. At the risk of starting two threads with Ozzy references, I’ll just leave this song here as an example of what I mean (in a GOOD way!).

Many, many songs that reference rock and roll after a certain time are so cliched, or dead.

2

“Rock and Roll Music” by Chuck Berry, probably the first song to use the phrase.

“School Day,” also by Berry, with the classic lines “Hail hail rock and roll, deliver me from the days of old.”

Or are these what you consider cliched or dead?

3

“Rock Around The Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets probably deserves a mention.

4

Here’s one that came to my mind:“Rock & Roll” by The Velvet Underground.

5

Does “roll” have to be in there?

April Wine - “I Like to Rock”
Twisted Sister - “I Wanna Rock”

ETA: That Rick Derringer song - is it “Rock 'n Roll Coochie-Coo”?

6

A bit off the wall–but here’s Gillian Welch & David Rawlings I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll.…

7

“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”, most famously done by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts right at the start of the 80’s.

8

In the same vein, here’s Ryan Adams doing Rock and Roll.

And making a sharp turn from those two, the Supersuckers (the self described “greatest rock and roll band in the world”) recorded Rock and Roll Records (ain’t selling this year) in 2003.

9

It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me, Billy Joel, 1980

10

Hootchie Coo.

11

I don’t know about the best, but I’m sure of the worst.

12

If we’re talking early references, there’s also All Around the World by Little Richard, and of course in Tutti Frutti, Little Richard’s gal Sue “rocks him to the east” and “rocks him to the west” …which is using “rock” in its earlier sense, I suspect.

13

As for “best,” I’m gonna go with Rock ‘N’ Roll High School by The Ramones.

14

Jerry Lee Lewis, from Last Man Standing, “Rock and Roll” with Jimmy Page. Killer music from the Killer. Here you go.

15

Or maybe Rock This Town by the Stray Cats.

16

“Rock and Roll Queen” – Mott the Hoople.

Also
“Rock and Roll Never Forgets” – Bob Seger
“Sweet Jane” – Lou Reed (“I’m in a rock and roll band.”)
“Rock and Roll Heaven” – the Righteous Brothers

17

Written by Alan O’Day, who went to Rock and Roll Heaven earlier this year.

18

That one doesn’t count. It’s not a rock song. Billy deserves respect on many levels, but that song makes me itch.

Chuck, Zep and the Stones’ It’s Only RnR are the ones for me. With Little Richard’s Good Golly Miss Molly as an honorable mention. Sure like to ball; when you’re rockin and you’re rollin, can’t hear your momma call. Got away with it in the 50’s as a teen hit :wink: Nice.

19

I didn’t notice that in the OP.

20

Disco Really Made It by Gruppo Sportivo.