Month: November 2023

And that’s a Wrap – It’s Only Rock and Roll

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“Rock and Roll Shoes” by Johnny Cash, it’s a cover of the Ray Charles/BJ Thomas song I listed from 1984.

We have reached #11 on the dial so here ends the series that explored the Rock and Roll titled songs from the very beginnings up to the present day.

From the above clip “Rock and Roll Shoes” by Johnny Cash (2014) and Rock + Roll by Eden (2016) are chronologically the last two titles I could find. As I mentioned in the prior post I could only find 10 new titles after 1985, the others are; “Save Rock and Roll” by Fall Out Boy featuring Elton John (2013), “The Disco Rangers Bus (Knows How to Rock & Roll)” by Skrillex (2011), “Destroy Rock and Roll” by Mylo (2004), “Rock and Roll Star” by Oasis (1994) and “Spirit of Rock & Roll” by Brian Wilson (1991). The rest are listed below.

As far as I can tell it’s been a few years since someone used those words together for the title of a song. I am sure it will return, as to when we can’t know. What we are aware of is the phenomenon known as Rock and Roll has had a lasting impact.

We had a couple R&R titled songs from the Folk genre and several from Country. In the first post I mentioned there was a Country Singer that had recorded three songs with Rock and Roll in the title, and he happens to be one of my favorites from the Outlaw Country/Americana genre, Ray Wylie Hubbard. He was born in Oklahoma but grew up in Texas and let’s just say he has a way with words. There’s his original song “Wanna Rock and Roll” from 1994 and his 2005 cover of “Rock and Roll Gypsies” that I mentioned in the 1960’s post.

Then there is this song that I think is a good way to end this series. I am not sure if he lifted the title from the April Wine song I mentioned in the 70’s post, “Rock N’ Roll Is A Vicious Game”, but that’s where any similarity ends.

Ray Willie Hubbard “Rock-N-Roll Is A Vicious Game” from 2003.

Hope you enjoyed the series, next stop, well I’m not exactly sure at this point. Over the past five plus years and 368 posts, I always seem to come up with something!

Thanks as always for reading, following, subscribing and leaving comments. Also a thank-you to those who have been passing my blog posts around to others. You are all very much appreciated.

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The 80’s – It’s Only Rock and Roll

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Billy Joel from the great Glass Houses album “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”

As we continue on the journey of songs with “Rock and Roll” in the title, I was a bit surprised to find about 20 released in the 80’s . I would have thought it was going out of fashion by then. Indeed it was, because after 1985, and for the next 38 years I can find less than ten more songs, even if I have missed a few that’s a long drought.

1980: It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me by Billy Joel, It’s Only Rock and Roll by Rodney Crowell

1981: A cover of I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Rock and Roll Party by Iggy Pop, Rock and Roll Preacher by Slade. Recorded in 1955, ya gotta love this title, I’m a Ding dong Daddy from a Rock and Roll City, by the oft overlooked Jerry McCain. Not to be confused with the much earlier “I’m a Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas)” or just plain old “Ding Dong Daddy” by Wynona Carr which was also recorded in 1955 and not released until 1985.

1983: The Heart of Rock and Roll by Huey Lewis and The News, Rock ‘n Roll is King by ELO, I’ve Got a Rock and Roll Heart by Eric Clapton, 1234 Rock and Roll by Girlschool.

“I’ve Got a Rock and Roll Heart” by Eric Clapton, “I get off on screaming guitar…”

1984: Rock and Roll Creation by Spinal Tap, Rock and Roll Shoes by Ray Charles and BJ Thomas, a cover of Rock and Roll Widow by Tina Turner, Even Cowboys Like a Little Rock and Roll by Chris LeDoux.

1985: Rock ‘n’ Roll Children by Dido, Rock and Roll Girls by John Fogerty, A cover of I Love to Rock and Roll by Canned Heat, I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll by Nick Lowe a cover of a song he wrote for Dave Edmunds.

“Rock and Roll Girls” by John Fogerty. You have to see him live in person to capture the true magic that is JF.

The 1970’s Part 2- It’s Only Rock and Roll

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This is the first recording of “Old Time Rock and Roll” by George Jackson from 1976. Written by Jackson and R&B Artist Tom Jones III. The song was a demo sent to Bob Seger and was not released until 2010.
“Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger was on the Stranger In Town album from 1978. The lyrics were almost completely re-written by Seger who graciously did not take a writing credit.

There were so many great songs from the last half of the ’70’s with Rock and Roll in the title. As in the first part, this is not a comprehensive list but I think I listed most of them.

1975: It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll) by AC/DC, I Love Rock and Roll by The Arrows, Rock and Roll All Nite by Kiss, Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll: Too Young to Die by Jethro Tull

1976: Rock and Roll Never Forgets by Bob Seger, Rock and Roll Widow by Tom Snow, Rock and Roll Slave by Stephen Bishop, Rock and Roll Heart by Lou Reed

1977: The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll by Muddy Waters, I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll by Dave Edmunds, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll by Ian Dury & The Blockheads

“Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” written by Ian Dury and Blockhead member Chaz Jankel

1978: Rock n’ Roll is a Vicious Game by April Wine, I Will Rock and Roll with You by Johnny Cash

“I Will Rock and Roll with You” written and recorded by Johnny Cash

1979: Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger is released as a single, Rock ‘n’ Roll High School by The Ramones, Rock and Roll Fantasy by Bad Company

Rock ‘n’ Roll High School by The Ramones who were featured in the 1979 Movie of the same name.

The 1970’s Part 1- It’s Only Rock and Roll

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“Rock and Roll” was back in 1971, from Led Zeppelin IV.

By the time the 70’s rolled around apparently rock and roll was back in style, by my count there were at least 50 song titles. More than the 50’s and 60’s combined! That’s too many songs to list so I will just highlight some from each year, and there are some great ones!

1970: Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo by Rick Derringer, Rock and Roll Madonna by Elton John, Rock and Roll by The Velvet Underground and Don’t Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll by Jeff Thomas

Jeff Thomas wins the award for best song title!

1971: Beside Zep as noted above, Rock and Roll Stew by Traffic

1972: Rock and Roll Suicide by David Bowie, Rock and Roll Lullaby by BJ Thomas, I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band by The Moody Blues, Rock and Roll Music to the World by Ten Years After.

A song I referenced in post earlier this year was “Play Me a Rock and Roll Song” by Valdy. He wrote it in response to his experience as a Folk Singer, booked to perform at a 1968 Rock Festival. First recorded in 1971, the story line bears a remarkable resemblance to Ricky Nelsons “Garden Party“. Nelsons song was about a bad experience at a Madison Square Garden concert in 1971 and his song was also released in 1972, quite the coincidence!

1973: Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life) by Kevin Johnson, God Gave Rock and Roll to You by Argent, Rock and Roll Heaven by Climax

Written by Climax band member Johnny Stevenson with Alan O’Day (Undercover Angel). The song is a tribute to well known artists who had died. It did not chart.

1974: Hey Rock ‘N’ Roll – Showaddywaddy, Rock and Roll People by Johnny Winter (written and recorded by John Lennon in 1973 but not released until 1986), Rock and Roll Heaven by The Righteous Brothers (cover)

The Righteous Brothers version would peak at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974

And the namesake of this blog series…”It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It)” the lead single from the album of the same name from 1974 by The Rolling Stones.

A note to my WordPress pals, I am taking some time off for a family function so my participation will be sparse at best over the next few days. Read ya later!

The 1960’s – It’s Only Rock and Roll

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“Let the Boy Rock and Roll” by The Lovin’ Spoonful and written by John Sebastian, is it just me or does this sound more than a little like Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” ? They even name check Johnny B. Goode.
“Roll Over Beethoven” by Chuck Berry

The 1960’s is the decade that would leave the term Rock and Roll behind as the music would become just Rock. If you are interested in that process you can check out my post from a couple years ago, When Did Rock Drop the Roll?

The desire to put “Rock and Roll” in a song title seemed to be left behind as well, I only found 10.

As to the 1950’s, hey I missed these, “Try Rock and Roll” (1956) by Bobby Mitchell, “Just Go Wild over Rock and Roll” by Bobby Dean and “The Rock and Roll Tango” a solo effort by The Clovers Billy Mitchell (no relation), both in 1957.

I could not find any “Rock and Roll” titles from 1960,1961,or 1963!

1962: If You Were a Rock and Roll Record, Freddy Cannon (“Palisades Park”) with Frank Slay & His Orch. The love song to end all love songs, or maybe relationships.

1964: Rock and Roll Music by The Beatles (Chuck Berry cover).

1965: Rock ‘n Roll Gypsies by Gypsy Trips. They were Roger and Terrye (Newkirk) Tillison and the song was produced by Leon Russell. They had ties to JJ Cale, and Roger was friends with Levon Helm and other members of The Band as well.

1966: Let the Boy Rock and Roll by The Lovin’ Spoonful (video clip at the top)

1967: So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star by The Byrds, I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter, Paul and Mary

1968: The Story of Rock and Roll by The Turtles (written by the late and great Harry Nilsson)

“The Story of Rock and Roll” by The Turtles

1969: Good Things Stem from Rock and Roll by Dennis Linde, Rock and Roll Music by The Frost and Rock and Roll Circus by Roxy (written by the late and briefly great Bob Segarini), btw the unrelated Roxy Music was formed a year later in 1970.

Rock and Roll Circus by Roxy, Ok, maybe this was not Bob Segarini at his best, but he got better and was very popular in Southern Ontario in the late 1970’s early 80’s, I own all three of his albums and saw him perform a few times.

That’s it for the 1960’s. anything I missed for the decade, let me know.