In 1976, he achieved a national breakout with the studio album Night Moves. On his studio albums, he also worked extensively with the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, which appeared on several of Seger's best-selling singles and albums.
Seger's first marriage in 1968 lasted for "one day short of a year". He had a long-term relationship with Jan Dinsdale from 1972 until 1983. In 1987, he married actress Annette Sinclair and they divorced one year later. He married Juanita Dorricott in 1993, in a small private setting at The Village Club, in Bloomfield Hills; they have two children. Seger lives mainly at his home in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He owns a condo in Naples, Florida.
Politically, Seger has characterized himself as a centrist: "[I'm] right down the middle", he remarked. He supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. He tackled antiestablishment themes in early songs such as "2+2=?" (1968) and "U.M.C. (Upper Middle Class)" (1974), according to Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press. On his 2014 album Ride Out, he addressed topics such as gun violence, and wrote "It's Your World" about climate change. On the subject, he said, "There are a lot of culprits in climate change, and everybody's responsible, myself included. Nobody gets a free pass on this one. We've got to change our ways and change them fast.
A roots rocker with a classic raspy, shouting voice, Seger wrote and recorded songs that deal with love, women and blue-collar themes and is an example of heartland rock. Seger has recorded many hits, including "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", "Night Moves", "Turn the Page", "Still the Same", "We've Got Tonight", "Against the Wind", "You'll Accomp'ny Me", "Shame on the Moon", "Like a Rock", and "Shakedown", which was written for Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). Seger also co-wrote the Eagles' number-one hit "Heartache Tonight", and his iconic recording of "Old Time Rock and Roll" was named one of the Songs of the Century in 2001.
With a career spanning six decades, Seger continues to perform and record today. Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. Seger was named Billboard's 2015 Legend of Live honoree at the 12th annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, held November 18–19 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.
Seger was known as one of the last holdouts regarding making his catalog available for digital download and streaming. However, as of 2017, much of his work is available.
Old Time Rock & Roll
Bob Seger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock 'n' roll
Don't try to take me to a disco
You'll never even get me out on the floor
In ten minutes I'll be late for the door
I like that old time rock 'n' roll
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock 'n' roll (oh)
Won't go to hear 'em play a tango
I'd rather hear some blues or funky old soul
There's only one sure way to get me to go
Start playing old time rock 'n' roll
Call me a relic, call me what you will
Say I'm old-fashioned, say I'm over the hill
Today's music ain't got the same soul
I like that old time rock 'n' roll
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock 'n' roll (oh)
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock 'n' roll
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock 'n' roll (hey)
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
That kind of music just soothes the soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old time rock 'n' roll
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
In this song, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band reminisce about the days of old where music was played on vinyl records, and the only way to listen to music was by playing it on a record player. The lyrics describe the singer's preference for old-fashioned rock and roll over modern music like disco or tango. The singer loves the soulful sound of old rock and roll, and he doesn't want to be taken to a disco because he'd rather stay at home and listen to his old records.
The song talks about the power of music to soothe the soul, which is why the singer still likes old time rock and roll. He's not ashamed to be called a relic or old-fashioned for liking music that's no longer in fashion. Overall, the lyrics are a testament to the timeless nature of music and how it can bring comfort and nostalgia to people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Just take those old records off the shelf
I want to hear the old rock n roll classics
I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself
I prefer to listen alone and really savor the music
Today's music ain't got the same soul
Modern music doesn't have the same passion and emotion
I like that old time rock 'n' roll
I have a strong affinity for the classic rock sound
Don't try to take me to a disco
I don't want to go to a modern dance club
You'll never even get me out on the floor
I'm not interested in dancing to modern music
In ten minutes I'll be late for the door
I want to leave soon if the music doesn't change
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
I still have a strong appreciation for classic rock
That kind of music just soothes the soul
The old rock sound is comforting and therapeutic
I reminisce about the days of old
I look back fondly at the era when classic rock ruled
Won't go to hear 'em play a tango
I don't want to listen to any music that isn't classic rock
I'd rather hear some blues or funky old soul
I would prefer to hear genres that influenced classic rock
There's only one sure way to get me to go
The only way to get me interested is to play classic rock music
Call me a relic, call me what you will
People can call me outdated, but I have my own tastes
Say I'm old-fashioned, say I'm over the hill
People can call me old-fashioned or out of touch, but I disagree
Still like that old time rock 'n' roll
Despite what others may say, I still love classic rock
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: George Henry Jackson, Thomas Earl Jones III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steven Harbers
on No Man's Land
I always liked 'No Man's Land' and equated it to all the times I'd get underway (ships at sea) especially when I was a younger Sailor. I always felt safer away from shore riding a wave that never crested.