Some friends of mine and me stayed up all through the night
Rockin' pretty steady 'til the sky went light
And didn't go to bed
Didn't go to work
I picked up the telephone
Told the boss he was a jerk

Your mama don't like it
When you run around with me
But we got to hip your mama
That you got to live free
Don't need her
Don't need school
You don't like your daddy
And you don't like rules

So, come on, baby, let's go
Don't you hear the rock 'n' roll playin' on the radio
Sound so right?
Girl, you better grab hold
Everybody's got to know
Anything that's rock 'n' roll's fine
Anything that's rock 'n' roll's fine
Anything that's rock 'n' roll's fine

Oh oh oh oh, my little, baby
I'm a little bit shaken
I'm a little bit crazy
But I know what I want
I want it right now
While the electric guitars are playin' way up loud

Come on, baby, let's go
Don't you hear the rock 'n' roll playin' on the radio
Sound so right?
Come on baby grab hold
Everybody's got to know
Anything that's rock 'n' roll's fine
Anything that's rock 'n' roll's fine
Anything that's rock 'n' roll's fine
Do, do do da da
Rock 'n' roll is
So fine
Do, do do da da
This rock 'n' roll is
So fine
Do, do do da da
This rock 'n' roll is
Do, do do da da
This rock 'n' roll
Do

Overall Meaning

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers's song "Anything That's Rock 'N' Roll" is a celebration of the joy of rock and roll music. The song starts with Petty and his friends staying up all night, rocking out until the sun comes up. They don't care about going to work or school, and they especially don't care about the disapproval of their parents. The chorus encourages everyone to join in the fun of rock and roll - to let loose, grab hold, and enjoy the sound that's blaring from the radio. The lyrics allude to the fact that rock and roll music can be a liberating force, freeing individuals from the constraints of societal norms and strict rules.

Overall, the song is an upbeat, electrifying ode to the power of rock and roll music. It encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and to embrace the freedom and raw energy that rock and roll can inspire. The lyrics also highlight the sense of community that can be formed through music - the idea that everyone can come together and bond over a shared love of a particular genre.

Line by Line Meaning

Some friends of mine and me stayed up all through the night
My buddies and I partied all night long

Rockin' pretty steady 'til the sky went light
We kept on rocking until sunrise

And didn't go to bed
We never slept

Didn't go to work
We skipped work

I picked up the telephone
I made a phone call

Told the boss he was a jerk
I insulted my boss

Your mama don't like it
Your mom disapproves

When you run around with me
When you hang out with me

But we got to hip your mama
We need to change your mom's opinion

That you got to live free
You need to live without restrictions

Don't need her
We don't rely on her