Recorded at Sun Recording Studio, American Studio, Memphis, Tennessee in Se… Read Full Bio ↴Recorded at Sun Recording Studio, American Studio, Memphis, Tennessee in September, 1985. Includes liner notes by Joe Sasfy.

Class of '55: Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash (vocals, guitar); Jerry Lee Lewis (vocals, keyboards); Roy Orbison (vocals).

Class of '55: Memphis Rock 'n' Roll Homecoming brings Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Carl Perkins -- all members of the Sun Records stable during its heyday -- together for an all-star recording session, which finds the quartet tackling a mixture of oldies and new material. Highlights include renditions of Perkins' "Birth of Rock and Roll," "Sixteen Candles," Waylon Jennings' "Waymore's Blues," Cash's "I Will Rock and Roll With You," and John Fogerty's "Big Train (From Memphis)." ~ Steve Huey

Additional personnel: Jack Clement, Marty Stuart (guitar, background vocals); Reggie Young, Bob Wooten, Kenneth Lovelace, J.R. Cobb (guitar); Memphis Strings (strings); Ace Cannon, Wayne Jackson, Bob Lewin, Jack Hale, Jr. (horns); Bobby Emmons (keyboards, Synclavier); Bobby Wood (keyboards, background vocals); Mike Leech, Bob Moore (bass); Gene Chrisman, W.S. Holland, Buddy Harmon (drums); Toni Wine, Paul Davis, Dan Penn, June Carter Cash, Rebecca Evans, Chips Moman, Sam Phillips, John Fogerty, Dave Edmunds (background vocals); The Judds, Rick Nelson.

Rock And Roll
Class of '55 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They used to call me Rockabilly
All of us ran through
When Elvis opened up the door
With a pup-and-pup-and-boo

I didn't ever play much rock and roll
'Cause I got so much country in my soul
But I'm a different man for lovin' you

And I take a shot at what you ask me to

And baby I will rock and roll with you
If I have to

Memphis 1955 on Newton Avenue
Carl and Jerry and Charlie and Roy
And Billy Riley too

A new sun risin' on the way we sing
And a world of weirdo's waitin' in the wings
But I love you and though I'm past 42
There are still a few things yet I didn't do

And baby I will rock and roll with you
If I have to

Overall Meaning

The opening verse of Class of '55's song "I Will Rock And Roll With You" describes the singer's early days as a musician when rockabilly was the trend. The mention of Elvis Presley opening the door is particularly significant as he is considered to be the pioneer of rock and roll music. The phrase "pup-and-pup-and-boo" is a reference to the guitar lick used in Presley's song "That's All Right." The singer admits that he did not play much rock and roll music initially because he had a lot of country music in his soul, but his love for the person he is addressing in the song has made him a different man, and he is willing to experiment with other genres, including rock and roll.

The chorus is an affirmation of the singer's commitment to the person he loves. He is willing to do anything for them, including adopting their tastes in music. He says he will rock and roll with them if he has to, indicating that he is willing to go outside his comfort zone for them. The second verse of the song is set in Memphis in 1955, and it references several musicians of the time, including Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Billy Riley. The "new sun rising" represents the dawn of a new era of music, which includes rock and roll.

The chorus is repeated at the end, emphasizing the singer's dedication to his loved one. "I Will Rock And Roll With You" is a testament to the power of love, which can push individuals to do things they never thought possible, including embracing new musical styles.

Line by Line Meaning

They used to call me Rockabilly
I was once known by a certain nickname, Rockabilly, which was probably given to signify my love for rock and roll music genre.

All of us ran through
All of us, referring to the singers of the song and probably their friends in the music industry, went through a certain period of musical evolution that played a huge role in shaping our music and career.

When Elvis opened up the door with a pup-and-pup-and-boo
When Elvis Presley rose to fame, he paved the way for many artists like us to make our mark in the music industry. And, his signature hip movements of pup-and-pup-and-boo became a trend that many imitated.

I didn't ever play much rock and roll, 'Cause I got so much country in my soul
Despite being associated with rockabilly music genre, my preference was always towards country music genre which was more deeply embedded in my soul.

But I'm a different man for lovin' you, And I take a shot at what you ask me to
All of my previous biases towards music were overshadowed by my love for you. I am willing to leave aside my country music preferences and try new things, including venturing into rock and roll genre, just for you.

And baby I will rock and roll with you, If I have to
My love for you is so strong that I'll do anything to make you happy, even if it means embracing music that was once considered foreign to my taste buds.

Memphis 1955 on Newton Avenue, Carl and Jerry and Charlie and Roy, And Billy Riley too
These lines refer to the musical hotspot of Memphis in the year 1955. The names mentioned possibly refer to famous musicians or bands of that time.

A new sun risin' on the way we sing, And a world of weirdo's waitin' in the wings
This line signifies the emergence of a new era of music that would take the world by storm, with many unique artists waiting for their chance to shine.

But I love you and though I'm past 42, There are still a few things yet I didn't do
Despite being an experienced musician who has seen and done it all, there are still a few things left for me to explore and achieve. My love for you only motivates me further to take on these challenges.

And baby I will rock and roll with you, If I have to
Once again, I reiterate that I will do whatever it takes to keep you happy, including adapting to new styles and genres of music that were once considered outside of my comfort zone.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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