In the 1970s, Essex emerged as one of the UK's top performers. His biggest hits during this decade included a pair of Number One singles : "Gonna Make You A Star" (1974), a satirical look at his success; and "Hold Me Close" (1975), a cheerful singalong. He also appeared in Stardust, a 1974 sequel to That'll Be The Day; the title song was another Top 10 hit. In 1976, Essex covered the Beatles song, “Yesterday”, for the musical documentary All This and World War II.
Essex's pop idol looks gave him a strong female fan base and his British tours created scenes of hysteria reminiscent of Beatlemania. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X 'he was voted the number one British male vocalist in 1974, and was a teen idol for more than a decade'.
In 1978, he appeared on Jeff Wayne's concept album, a musical version of The War of the Worlds, as the Artilleryman. The two album set remains a bestseller.
In the same year, Essex played the character Che, loosely based on Che Guevara, in the original production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita, and his recording of the show's "Oh What a Circus" reached Number 3. Two years later, he starred in the film Silver Dream Racer; and the soundtrack song "Silver Dream Machine" was yet another Top 10 hit in the UK singles chart. In 1985, he wrote and starred as Fletcher Christian in the West End musical Mutiny!, based on the novel Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. The score produced two more hit singles, including "Tahiti," his tenth Top 10 success.
Essex has continued to perform in all areas of show business, to varying degrees of success. A 1989 sitcom, "The River", achieved good ratings. In 1991, a compilation entitled His Greatest Hits reached Number 13; a 1993 album, Cover Shot, peaked at Number 3. His autobiography, A Charmed Life, was published in 2002, and became a bestseller.
In 1999, Essex was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He still tours the UK on a yearly basis and releases albums through his website. Surprisingly, despite his long and thriving British career, he remains largely unknown in the United States. "Rock On" reached Number 5 in 1974, and was his only Billboard Top 40 hit single.
The grandson of an Irish Traveller, Essex told Jake Bowers of the BBC's Rokker Radio, a programme for Gypsies and Travellers, on 30th July 2006, that he has always been openly proud of his Traveller roots, but that having moved to the US, Essex has said he feels it inappropriate for him to continue as Patron of Britain's National Gypsy Council, which works for equal rights, education, and services for Romany and Irish Travellers.
In 2005, he appeared as a guest vocalist on Saint Etienne's album Tales from Turnpike House. Also that year, he appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Bring Back...The Christmas Number One.
Essex was due to join the cast of soap opera EastEnders, in early 2006, as new character Jack Edwards. However, the role was expanded beyond the three weeks planned, and Essex was unable to commit the time. The role instead went to Nicky Henson.
A model and recording of Essex is featured in the museum of West Ham United Football Club. In the recording, he explains his reasons for supporting West Ham and his love of the team. He remains a popular, hard working and respected star, who has nevertheless not achieved a more global presence.
Rock On
David Essex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock on, ooh my soul
Hey, kids, you boogey, too, did ya?
Hey shout, summertime blues
Jump up and down in my blue suede shoes
Hey, did you rock and roll, rock on
And where do we go from here?
Which is a way that's clear
Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
(James Dean)
And where do we go from here?
Which is a way that's clear
Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
(Jimmy Dean)
Rock on
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Rock on
The song "Rock On" by David Essex is all about capturing the energy and spirit of rock and roll music. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace the genre and enjoy it to the fullest. The song starts with the singer addressing his listeners, calling them "kid" and urging them to "rock and roll." He tells them to "rock on" and celebrates the power of the music to uplift and energize.
In the second verse, the song references classic rock and roll culture, including "blue suede shoes" and "Jimmy Dean" (James Dean). The singer describes looking for a "blue jean, baby queen" - a beautiful woman who embodies the spirit of rock and roll. The reference to James Dean and his famous rebellious persona underscores the connection between rock music and rebellion.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Rock on" several times, emphasizing the idea that the energy and excitement of rock and roll is something to be celebrated and enjoyed without reservation. The song is a classic example of the power of rock music to capture and express youthful energy and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, kid, rock and roll
Hey, young one, enjoy and participate in the genre of rock and roll music
Rock on, ooh my soul
Continue to enjoy and appreciate rock and roll, in a way that deeply resonates with your inner self
Hey, kids, you boogey, too, did ya?
Young ones, did you also dance and move to the rhythm of the music just like me?
Hey shout, summertime blues
Expressing a call to make noise or yell out, while acknowledging the feeling of sadness or melancholy that can come with summertime
Jump up and down in my blue suede shoes
Moving around and dancing vigorously, while wearing the popular blue suede shoes of the time
Hey, did you rock and roll, rock on
Did you experience and enjoy rock and roll music? If so, continue to do so with enthusiasm
And where do we go from here?
Pondering about what's next, in terms of our personal journeys
Which is a way that's clear
Hoping for clarity in terms of direction, decisions or goals
Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Searching for the ideal partner who embodies the qualities of a beautiful, fashionable and liberated individual
Prettiest girl I ever seen
The individual whom the artist finds most attractive and appealing, often due to their physical appearance
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
Watching an iconic scene from the movie Rebel Without a Cause, where actress Natalie Wood dances to music while actor James Dean observes
(James Dean)
Identifying that the previous line was referencing James Dean, a famous actor and cultural icon of the time
Rock on
Encouraging oneself and others to continue enjoying and celebrating rock and roll music
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Essex
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind