# Rock ('n roll) songs about rock ('n roll) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 24, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248 "2003-08-24T00:39:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/21 "2003-08-24T12:13:15Z")
Ozzie Osbourne–“You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll”…his best ballad in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/22 "2003-08-24T14:51:27Z")
Great suggestions folks! Adding to my own list: The Who - Long Live Rock (rock is dead) Loggins & Messina (also others I think?) - Your Mama Don’t Dance (& your Daddy don’t rock 'n roll) Seems like there has to be some appropriate John Lennon but I haven’t come up with it. Need some more female voices. ---
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/23 "2003-08-24T15:19:38Z")
I just did a search and found [http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/](http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/) The one I like is “Rocanroleando” by Freddie Fender. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/24 "2003-08-24T15:27:48Z")
Blasphemy, no one has mentioned Kiss yet. I wanna rock and roll all night, and party every day!!! ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/25 "2003-08-24T19:46:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AHunter3 \* > \*\*Great suggestions folks! > > Need some more female voices. \*\* How 'bout “Rock and Roll” from the Coup D’Etat album by the Plasmatics, voiced by the lovely and talented (and dead) Wendy O. Williams? Jon ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/26 "2003-08-24T23:34:34Z")
Kinks: Rock and Roll Cities Rock and Roll Fantasy ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/27 "2003-08-25T03:03:05Z")
“…_it_’s only knock and knowall, but I like _it_.” —Genesis, “_it_” (from _The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway_) ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/28 "2003-08-25T04:38:25Z")
The list is starting to shape up like this: Andy Kim - Rock Me Gently Beatles - Rock and Roll music (if you wanna dance with me)\*\*\*\* Billy Joel - Still Rock 'n Roll to Me Billy Squier - Rock me Tonight Bloodrock - You Gotta Roll Bob Seger - Old Time Rock 'n Roll Boston - Rock & Roll Band Byrds - So You Wanna Be a Rock 'n Roll Star Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Rock’n Roller David Essex - Rock On Def Leppard - Rock Brigade Dobie Gray - Drift Away (Give me the beat, boys…) Elton John - Crocodile Rock Four Counts - Rock ‘n Roll is Good for the Soul Heart - Rockin’ Heaven Hendrix - Rock Me Baby Huey Lewis - Heart of Rock 'n Roll Jethro Tull - Too Old To Rock 'n Roll (Too Young to Die) Joan Jett - I Love Rock ‘n Roll Johnny Rivers - Rockin’ Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu Kiss - I Want to Rock and Roll all Night (and party every day) Led Zep - Rock And Roll (Been a long long long long time) Loggins & Messina - Your Mama can’t dance (and your daddy don’t rock 'n roll) Lou Reed - Rock’n Roll Neil Young - My My, Hey Hey (Rock ‘n Roll is Here to Stay) Neil Young - Rockin’ in the Free World Ozzy Osbourne - Can’t Kill Rock and Roll Queen - We Will Rock You Rick Derringer - Rock 'n Roll Hoochie Koo Steve Miller - (Keep on) Rock’n Me (Baby) Stray Cats - Rock this Town Those I have and like for the list. I decided against Cover of the Rolling Stone (Dr Hook) and I Dig Rock and Roll Music (Peter Paul & Mary) which I also have. My copy of Beatles’ “Rock and Roll Music” is damaged so I’ll need to get a better copy. And I’ll need to buy or borrow these: Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock John Cougar Mellencamp R.O.C.K. in the USA Rolling Stones - It’s Only Rock and Roll (but I like it) AC/DC - For Those About to Rock (we salute you) The Who - Long Live Rock (rock is dead) Bad Company? or Kinks? - Rock and Roll Fantasy \<-- not sure which version I’ve heard dont’ know these two but I’m curious: Danny & the Juniors - Rock and Roll is Here to Stay Plasmatics (Wendy O) - Rock and Roll ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/29 "2003-08-25T05:26:07Z")
Blue Oyster Cult - Blue Oyster Cult - Cities On Flame : [http://www.lyred.com/lyrics/Blue+Oyster+Cult/Blue+Oyster+Cult/Cities+On+Flame/](http://www.lyred.com/lyrics/Blue+Oyster+Cult/Blue+Oyster+Cult/Cities+On+Flame/) Blue Oyster Cult - Spectres - R. U. Ready 2 Rock [http://www.lyred.com/lyrics/Blue+Oyster+Cult/Spectres/R~+U~+Ready+2+Rock/](http://www.lyred.com/lyrics/Blue+Oyster+Cult/Spectres/R%7E+U%7E+Ready+2+Rock/) ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/30 "2003-08-25T07:28:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AHunter3 \* > \*\*The list is starting to shape up like this: > > dont’ know these two but I’m curious: > > Danny & the Juniors - Rock and Roll is Here to Stay > Plasmatics (Wendy O) - Rock and Roll \*\* Well, to be honest, and speaking as a Plasmatics fan, “Rock and Roll” isn’t one of the Plasmatics better songs. You really do have to check out the Supersuckers and Electric Frankenstein songs though. Jon ---
**Author:** ![Cholo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Cholo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cholo)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/31 "2003-08-25T11:16:35Z")
Another KISS great one: “Let Me Go, Rock and Roll” ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Oi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cab0a1/32.png) [@Dan\_Oi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_Oi)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/32 "2003-08-25T12:47:00Z")
The Ramones -Rock and Roll High School David Bowie- Rock and Roll Suicide BB King- Rock me Baby BB King- Hail Hail Rock and Roll Rose Tatoo-Rock and Roll Outlaw Brian Adams(I think) Everywhere we go the kids want to rock(?) ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/33 "2003-08-25T14:36:26Z")
**nitroglycerine** : > [@](#): > > You really do have to check out the Supersuckers and Electric Frankenstein songs though. OK, I’ll add them to my “curious & must check out” list 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/34 "2003-08-25T16:33:16Z")
I’m surprised Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” hasn’t been mentioned yet. It’s not really about rock music, per se, but about the difficult life of a rock band being on the road and touring. ---
**Author:** ![Jammer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@Jammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jammer)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/35 "2003-08-25T20:23:27Z")
Another AC/DC tune that fits the bill: “Rock n Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” As Mr. Johnson so aptly states in said tune, “Rock n Roll ain’t no riddle, man. To me it makes good, good sense!” I love that song. 😃 Jammer ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/36 "2003-08-27T04:14:55Z")
Paul McCartney - “Venus and Mars/Rock Show” ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/37 "2003-08-27T05:23:31Z")
Davie Bowie - Ziggy Stardust - pretty much the whole album. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/38 "2003-08-27T06:01:16Z")
Moody Blues - I’m Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band (though I hardly consider that song rock n’ roll) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Watever Happened To My Rock And Roll The Mekons - Memphis Egypt (not titular, but referenced many times within the song, and off the album entitled Rock ‘N’ Roll. Many of the other songs on the record relate to aspects of Rock And Roll history, such as Eric Burdon and The Animals touring the south US in the 60’s just as the civil rights movement was at it’s highest and most violent point.) ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/39 "2003-08-27T06:04:50Z")
Another couple are - Elton John - Crocodile Rock Billy Joel - Still Rock And Roll To Me I have to say that I would consider those more to be novelty pop though, and pretty antithetical to true rock. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248/40 "2003-08-27T06:35:24Z")
In rereading the OP it sounds as if we’re looking for songs that are **about** rock 'n roll, not just those with the words in the title. If so then most bands have a song either about life on the road (genarlly seen as a drag, excepf for all those lovely dollars) and/or about the hucksterism and corporate BS that goes with the territory. Examples of the former **Little Queenie** by Lynyrd Skynyrd about an evening with a groupie \*\*Wanted: Dead or Alive \*\* by Bon Jovi **Homeward Bound** by Simon & Garfunkel, though more folk-pop than ``` rock 'n roll, is plenty evocative with it's "every day's an endless stream of cigarettes and magazines" ``` And, of course, **dwc1970** pointed out one of the absolute classics, the mesmerizing \*\*Turn the Page \*\* by Bob Seger, with the incredible sax work Examples of the latter **Workin’ for MCA** Lynyrd Skynyrd **The Powerman** by The Kinks, from “Lola vs. the Powerman & the Money-Go-Round, Pt. 1” In fact, other songs on the album lash out at different aspects of the business [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rock-n-roll-songs-about-rock-n-roll/197248.md?page=3)