Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illino… Read Full Bio ↴Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illinois that's played for over four decades, and in 2016 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Having gained popularity in the late-70s centered within the Midwest and within Japan, the band members are Rick Nielsen (guitarist and main songwriter), Bun E. Carlos (born Brad Carlson) (drums), Robin Zander (vocals and guitars), and Tom Petersson (bass guitar). Though they have had only flirtations with mainstream national success such as the multi-platinum smash At Budokan, Cheap Trick has held a substantial following through regular touring and a hard-edged yet blissful pop sound that combines the tunefulness of The Beatles with the speed and energy of punk rock, with many musicians and music journalists being fans.

One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.

Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).

Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World

[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver

Daddy Should Have Stayed in High School
Cheap Trick Lyrics

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I've been waiting every night after school
For five long years, five long years!
I'll keep waiting there for five nights a week
'Cause I'm no fool

Ooh reeling and a-rocking
Rolling till the break of
Ooh reeling and a-rocking

Rolling till the school breaks out

I'm thirty, but I feel like sixteen
I might even know your daddy
I'm dirty, but my body is clean
I might even be your daddy

Ooh reeling and a-rocking
Rolling till the break of
Ooh reeling and a-rocking
Rolling till the break of

I like you, will you like me, yes!
Sorry, but I have to grab you
You look better completely undressed
Sorry, but I have to have you

I'm thirty, but I feel like sixteen
How would you like some candy?

I'm thinking more than a kiss
With me, spank me, grab me

Overall Meaning

The Cheap Trick song Daddy Should Have Stayed in High School is a parody of the teenage rebellion in the 1950s and 1960s. The song is written from the perspective of an older man who is still trying to relive the glory days of his youth. The first verse of the song describes the singer waiting outside of a school for five years, hoping to relive memories of teenage love and lust. The chorus features the singer rocking and rolling and feeling like a teenager again.

The second verse of the song is more explicit, with the singer admitting that he is thirty but feels like sixteen. The singer then goes on to make inappropriate advances towards a younger person, with lyrics such as "Sorry, but I have to grab you / You look better completely undressed." The chorus repeats, with the singer continuing to rock and roll, hoping to relive his youth.

The song is a commentary on the societal obsession with youth and the dangers of not being able to let go of the past. It highlights how some people, even as they age, try to hold onto their youth by acting younger than they are, even if it means being inappropriate.

Daddy Should Have Stayed in High SchoolCheap Trick Lyrics

Daddy Should Have Stayed in High School
Cheap Trick Lyrics