Rock On
David Essex (question) Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, kid, rock and roll
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Rock On" by David Essex are about the power and energy of rock and roll music. The opening lines, "Hey, kid, rock and roll, Rock on, ooh my soul," express the excitement and passion of the genre, with the repetition of "rock on" serving as a rallying cry for listeners to let loose and enjoy the music. The next lines continue the theme, encouraging the audience to dance and move their bodies with lines like "Hey, kids, you boogey, too, did ya?"

The song then shifts to a nostalgic tone, with references to classic rock musicians like "Hey shout, summertime blues," and "Jump up and down in my blue suede shoes." The lyrics also mention James Dean, an iconic actor from the 1950s who embodied the rebellious spirit of the era. The lines "Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen, Prettiest girl I ever seen, See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean" evoke the image of the perfect girl, as seen on the silver screen.

The lyrics end with a repetition of the chorus, once again urging listeners to "rock on." Overall, the song captures the raw energy and passion of rock and roll, conveying a sense of freedom, rebellion, and joy.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, kid, rock and roll
Hey there, young person, listen to and enjoy the music genre of rock and roll

Rock on, ooh my soul
Continue to listen and enjoy rock and roll with enthusiasm and passion

Hey, kids, you boogey, too, did ya?
Hey there, young people, did you dance and move to the music as well?

Hey shout, summertime blues
Express yourself loudly and with enthusiasm about feeling down during the summertime

Jump up and down in my blue suede shoes
Dance with excitement and energy while wearing fashionable blue suede shoes

Hey, did you rock and roll, rock on
Hey, did you listen to rock and roll music? If so, continue to enjoy it with passion

And where do we go from here?
Reflecting on what the future holds and what direction to take

Which is a way that's clear
Which path to take is uncertain and unclear

Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Continuing to search for a special someone who is stylish and attractive, like a queen in blue jeans

Prettiest girl I ever seen
The most beautiful girl the artist has ever laid eyes on

See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean (James Dean)
Watching a film featuring the famous actor James Dean and being mesmerized by the gorgeous female lead dancer

Rock on
Continue to enjoy and listen to rock and roll music

Rock on (hey, kid, rock and roll)
Encouraging listeners to keep listening to rock and roll with energy and passion

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Essex

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

More Albums Load All

No Tracks Found

01Rock On

David Essex (question)

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@alphadog1961

38w↑76

50 years ago I could NOT get this song out of my head...It's still in there !

@alphadog1961

23w↑3

SERIOUSLY !

@Alexbk007

10w↑4

I just found this song randomly and I'll be here for the next 50

@dalebridges6916

5w↑1

Me too ! I love it !

@alphadog1961

5w↑1

@@dalebridges6916 Essex Rock On and Brother Louie(Stories) was another dandy...Good tunes to have etched.

@dalebridges6916

5w↑1

Brother Louie has always been one of my favorite songs ! You have great taste in music !

2 More Replies...

@charlesragan5475

2y↑163

I've been listening to this song for close to 50 years, it's a timeless tune and never will get old or go out of style! Great job .

@bernardlibby7835

1y↑8

First cassette I ever owned.

@Grace1957-

13w

I have the album. I love it.

@lockedinthelake

1y↑270

A track that utterly defies classification, which I have been mesmerized by ever since I first heard it as a very young child. "Weird," "Ominous", "Menacing", and "Surreal" would all be accurate descriptions of it. No guitars. Multiple overdubbed bass parts. Primal, hypnotic drums, but no snare. Strange stream-of-consciousness lyrics which proclaim "rock on" in a song that's not really a rock song at all. And the production is IMMACULATE. God, this still sounds so unique.

@danstephens9500

52w↑36

That is a seriously excellent review.

@marlamays2131

43w↑19

Nailed it

@merrilyromohr659

40w↑16

Very accurate analysis....great song

@LeasaAnn

40w↑9

in short...it's good

@erikguth4830

35w↑4

Well said as if the only that should be said.

25 More Replies...

@michaelmathias3277

2y↑52

A song called " Rock On " with no lead guitar but a mean ass bass lick throughout. Love this tune forever.

@fieldagent59isintheforest32

4y↑765

whoever produced and or engineered this in the 70's was a genius and light years ahead of their time....... might be the best sounding bass track of all time....

@ulricvoncatalyst1507

4y↑43

Produced by Jeff Wayne, which might explain its sci-fi hi-fi sound.

@delta-9969

3y↑34

The production here owes a huge debt to 60s and 70s jamaican dub. in fact aside from the vocals it basically is a dub version

@FU05241960

3y↑12

@@delta-9969 Hot take

@HighwayRamos

3y↑31

The bass player, Herbie Flowers and David apparently tracked this take as a duo while Jeff Wayne was at lunch. Herbie also played bass on Lou Reid's "Walk on the Wild Side" and many other hits of the 70's.

@kirnpu

3y↑13

@@HighwayRamos Walk on the Wild Side has always had a special place in my heart.

40 More Replies...

@joshuabewig6733

4y↑627

Suddenly wanted to hear this song - don't think I've heard it in about 20 years. I've listened to it 5 times in a row, so far.

@chrissyvanderbilt5454

4y↑13

Current same!

@studiopete

4y↑15

now it got me y'all.... outta nowhere...I have not heard it in ages. couldn't remember the title or artist at first...just started hearing fragments of the lyrics and the bass line in my head. and now to listen to the whole delay effect...wow...

@cantstandanymorez

4y↑10

me too! funny - I bet we are all around the same age ;)

@colleenmorrison5228

4y↑1

@@chrissyvanderbilt5454 x

@SixpennySerendipity

4y↑7

jane doe I’m 59

64 More Replies...

@LABratschist

4y↑210

Haven't heard this in decades. It's aged well. Still sounds fresh and innovative.

@NormAppleton

46w↑7

It's kind of timeless

@derektalasek795

45w↑2

It sounds too modern to have been released in 1973. I always thought it was an 80s song! That says something about the production: ahead of its time.

@kenttyler1243

40w↑3

"And where do we go from here?"

@LeasaAnn

28w↑4

@@kenttyler1243 50 years later, still figuring it out...😂🤣

@rayogrady4349

26w↑3

This song is like Levi's jeans. It aged well and never gets old.

@chelseapoet3664

2y↑486

Only one thing wrong with this song: it ends!

@HMMELD

2y↑5

I wonder if there's a longer version somewhere.....

@waynej2608

2y↑8

It should 'rock on', a little more.

@shark3136

2y↑11

Herbie Flowers on bass = famous song.

@ryanjofre

1y↑4

Exactly

@jimig211

1y↑2

disc w/ only this on it in head unit that has repeat..🦥🦥🦥🦥🦥🦥

43 More Replies...

@mikehartney1670

51w↑57

It has been exactly 50 years since I heard this song on the Jukebox in the cafeteria of my primary school. I was in 2nd grade and absolutely blown away. After all this time, the words that I can use to describe this song are, timeless, mesmerizing, brilliant masterpiece. The song has aged effortlessly and sounds as fresh as the day I heard it all those years ago. Thank you Mr. Essex.

@rescuepetsrule6842

29w↑1

I heard it exactly 50 years ago in High School. Massive impact on most of us because it is so unique & kinda perfect, IMO. There was some tough competition then, but KCBQ San Diego had tons of requests for it and played it a lot. This one, we didn't get sick of hearing.

@helenwhelan4253

11w↑1

What school did you go to ? Too cool for school 😂

@michaelt.wardlespider2496

You had a jukebox in elementary school?

@randy5655

3y↑80

One of the greatest songs of the 70's.

@francoisefussell2961

2y↑3

Ever! 🙂

@peteygonemadarts4765

2y↑3

Actually I think this is still picked as the OFFICIAL ROCK ATHEM in surveys .

@randy5655

2y↑1

@@peteygonemadarts4765 Rock on!

@latenightvibes3333

3y↑79

as a 16 years old middle eastern i am addicted to this song

@donniesdonuts9095

3y↑7

Rock on baby!

@michaelj.f.4602

3y↑10

Music is universal my brother

@connotations1

3y↑1

good for you

@dogestranding5047

3y↑2

I’m only 3 and a half years old and I hate this song.

@christufuhh

3y↑3

@@dogestranding5047 But your account is 9 years old

5 More Replies...

@brettklingjr9107

3y↑125

This song was my mother’s favorite song, passed to me, and now passed to my 3 year old daughter. She won’t let me get in the car without hearing it!

@kirnpu

3y↑5

Excellent! It's such a groove.

@skylarmccloud4080

50w↑5

😂😂your daughter is a young lady of class and fine taste. Good parenting ❤❤

@leobuckner5555

29w↑1

My daughter thinks this songs about her

@kentwilbourne996

23w↑1

Lol, ....cute story. wow, passing it on.

@williamwellington8668

5y↑266

46yrs later and it still sounds like its just released..........

@southcanada6002

3y↑19

nahh, sounds too good to be todays music

@tonyjordan1320

2y↑7

@@southcanada6002 LOL...good point.....

@paulph12002

4y↑166

Rock On was David Essex's first single in 1973. For the time it was an innovative and unusual song, and I don't think he ever bettered it.

@wolverine67044

4y↑4

One hit wonder

@TheGreenDoggoOfWisdom

4y↑7

gary jamespon Only in North America.

@kastedf4r200

3y↑4

He couldn't better it. Its perfect the way it is. Sometimes you have to let art be the way it is the very first create

@paularamos2545

3y↑6

Didn’t have too!

@WedgePee

3y↑2

He released his first single in 1965!
https://www.45cat.com/artist/david-essex

4 More Replies...

@robertlisenby5788

2y↑137

No idea why this song popped in my head this morning and I wanted to listen to it. But I’m glad it did!

@ZombasticRex

2y↑4

I got here from Rocket by Def Leppard.

@dopeanddivine6902

2y↑2

Same here, 640am on a Sunday

@NormAppleton

2y↑1

It popped into your head because it should.

Jimmy Dean

James Dean

@BostonIce37

2y↑2

Same here. Just popped in but I remembered the words like it was yesterday! 🥰

@jimig211

1y↑1

@@BostonIce37 'though it's most likely:
"... which is the way that's clear? ...";
still, ever think it could be:
"... witch is the way that's clear! ..." ?
😹🙀🤯👀🦥

7 More Replies...

@davidhenricks9715

2y↑7

75th birthday today. Happy birthday David.

@michellew8118

1y↑20

Superb song - took me right back to my teenage years. Was lucky enough to see him in concert in the 70’s.

@carmie9400

1y↑26

One of the coolest songs ever - I was 11 when this came out & I still love it to this day! One of the best bass lines ever from Herbie Flowers & love David’s vocals!

@williamkayaian7268

16w↑1

Same here, love ❤️ it ….🙏🙏

@Christopher94582

4y↑159

This was originally released in quadraphonic (four seperate channels) it had dynamics embedded that were just off the hook! Incredible stuff!

@homegrowntwinkie

4y↑6

As someone who was born in the 90s - it's hard to find anything made in quadraphonics. I have The Who's Quadrophenia record, but I didnt know of too many others that were. I'll have to see about getting the Quad version of this!

@johngrek7000

4y↑7

@@homegrowntwinkie I have a quad receiver but if you play it in stereo it still sounds better than a regular stereo recording.

@Masterkill45588

3y↑8

No way, I have an old pioneer quadraphonic receiver id love to hear this in quad

@willieboy3011

2y↑3

I remember Quad. Big deal at the time, but it went away rather quickly it seemed.

@HMMELD

2y↑4

Whatever happened to Quad

3 More Replies...

@thatdudeyoudontknow

3y↑58

Man I just spent every bit of an hour looking for this song, I never new the name or who it was by, I just remembered my dad blaring this when I was real young riding in his truck. Damn good song.

@craigmiller4794

2y↑1

Please tell us more about the search. What angles did you take?

@maxibradshaw

1y↑32

This song still hits perfectly
✌️

@jameshuckvale7685

1y↑9

This song is so bad assed I’m crying. And I’m a 59 year old man!!!!!

@dalebridges6916

Don't feel ashamed of it brother I do it too and I'm 65 !

@martindriver6026

1y↑18

I was 7 years old when I heard my brother played this song with his friends. He's gone but 50 years later I am still listening to it.

@peteroakes9007

4y↑105

Just brilliant. That twisting curving music and beat shifting from right to left and back again, with that voice and that song.

@leftcoaster67

3y↑5

I was about 6 when first heard this. And it blew me away. My sister bought the album.

@amyfisher6380

1y↑32

This suddenly popped into my head the other day out of absolutely nowhere, and I realized that it’s been almost 50 years since I’ve listened to it. It sounds just as good now as it did then.

@wynditurner2826

1y↑6

I know the feeling 😉 February 26th 2023....✌️Rock on 🤘

@Azgrl27

51w↑3

Same here May 5, 2023! 🤘

@bluewithrow5791

And here, age 73 March 30, 2024 Came to mind tonight doing dishes

@annishilcock4587

3y↑35

Too underated, so ahead of his time.

@roysadlowski7715

2y↑15

this gem of a song proves sometimes, less is more!. Rock On!.

@matelot95

4y↑142

The bass line belongs to the great Herbie Flowers. He also played upright bass on Walk On the Wild Side

@connotations1

3y↑2

if you say so

@bluebirdlinda7746

3y↑3

You know a lot more about music than I do

@MrPublicPain

3y↑3

Herbie is a Beatle and Harry Nilsson guy. He is one of the most connected bass players ever.

@darrenmcferran

3y↑3

He also played bass on Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds

@GathKingLeppbertI

3y↑1

Idnk
Do do do Doo do do

6 More Replies...

@richarddodds9326

1y↑22

I'm 62, that made my hair stand

@avance1979

8w↑1

I'm 75....I don't have hair. But if I did......😂

@benhogan6675

45w↑21

Never tire of this genius song. So awesome and original

@SpaceGhost67

2y↑21

Congas, drums, bass, strings, echo delay on vocals. At once a revelation and a revolution, not a single guitar hero in the mix, just a jukebox hero on the mic!

@tonybedalow4713

1y↑16

Absolute Masterpiece then, now, and for ALL OF TIME!! 💪

@JamesPlaysJP

3y↑49

A favorite one from my childhood, even though I’m 17, You can Thank My Dad for my Good choice in music here

@DexterHaven

40w↑10

Best bass line of the '70s.
This song blew my mind when it first came out.
Very distinctive. Good imagery. We can all fill in the rest when he says, "prettiest girl I ever seen."

@gregorywatters3845

1y↑13

This song is fantastic. I was in grade 9. When I went to parties, we would listen to this and sing. So positive.

@kerensabirch5214

1y↑13

This just popped up on my local radio station on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Haven't heard it in decades but I knew what it was from the first bars. There still has never been any other song like it.

@amysidwell4036

43w↑14

Love this song

@erniearambula3525

1y↑13

It has that sound that you can't quite put a label to which is why this song invokes the same feelings from first time I heard it in the 70's to now 2023. Everyone Rock On !!

@todosassd1855

5y↑203

We used to sing this on the school bus in junior high, and other early 70's hits! Had a cool bus driver, as long as we stayed in our seats and didn't holler or curse, we could sing all we wanted to!

@seanpitts8696

4y↑5

That's because you had a professional driver that was looking out for your safety..

@shawnwhiteman3247

Haha

@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259

4y↑4

School buses nowaday require seatbelts in attempt to address numerous self-control disorders. Our school bus driver used to swing by the beach on the after school route so we could check out the surf conditions.

@karenwilcox5241

4y↑1

Ditto

@Tommy-sj6uo

4y↑3

We did the same thing LOL LOL Boca Raton high class of 82

9 More Replies...

@dhayd8922

4y↑33

I remember this song when it came out...I was in 7th grade. The 9th graders where playing it during lunch at school.
Blew my mind then still does...Some memories just don't go away.

@targetrender9529

3y↑12

This song is SMOOOOOOOTH. A classic.

@dreamwolf5264

2y↑16

What made the 70s so great was that some songs like this one added that symphonic cool sound with mezmorizing violins!!😊

@shagadelic4210

3y↑45

Always will be one of the sickest songs in rock history 🤘just here for the entirety of the masterpiece, glad to see anyone who's here, rock on😎

@leftcoaster67

3y↑22

First song I remember, my sister bought the record. It blew me away the way it cuts between left and right speakers.

@imhappyandyou.4003

4y↑56

I was born in '86 and today was the first time I heard this song and I will tell you it definitely won't be the last!. Just a really cool song so I thank you Mr. Essex!. 🙏🏻🍻

@johnerwin9024

4y↑3

LOT of stuff don't hear no more, glad U found it-

@imhappyandyou.4003

4y↑1

@ted ritola Didn't know that this song was released in 1973 that is awesome.. But generally I have found that I like my parents generation's music so much more than that of my own generation. Well not to say that there isn't at least a few gems in there once in awhile lol.

@imhappyandyou.4003

4y↑1

@@johnerwin9024 Thank you, I'm still glad I found it and just heard it today because I just needed a song to help download from the week.

@salruotolo5754

11w↑1

The 80's called they want us back!! Rock n roll high-school forever!! NAMROCK: HEY THIS NO MY PEE.. 😂

@joemamaurmama

3y↑22

Just randomly used the phrase " rock on " and had to listen this up again. I've loved this song since my teen age years. Thanks for the memories.

@brianhenry9425

3y↑17

It’s my always start of summer song.... happy 60 to me...still remember 70’s cold beer and girls halter tops..!!

@trevorfromm9195

Happy 60

@WedgePee

The halter neck is still popular if you know where to look.

@dynjarren7523

4y↑188

This song sounds incredible when you wear headphones 🎧! You can hear the bass line pan across from left to right in stereo! And the drums.
I remember being impressed with the sound mix back then. It sounds so clean! Still a great song and mix!

@robertmontgomery9218

3y↑4

It's a bass solo. I'm a guitar player.
This is impressive.

@robertmontgomery9218

Not "solo" I guess.

@mattiemclean9882

3y↑2

@@robertmontgomery9218 Its not a solo it's a riff or a lick. It doesn't move from the riff and repeats the whole way through so not a solo.

@normancook965

4y↑221

The beat - like a panther stalking through the jungle

@built.to.suffer930

4y↑1

Still too fast imo

@ByzantiumOPB85

4y↑1

CROCODILE SMILE BEWARE THE JACKAL Ü DAS KAPITAL. I GOT THE SIX. YO TAMBIEN. LA COSTA NOSTRA. OXNARD.

@michael3125

3y↑1

Most Def!!!

@dpc983

2y↑1

yeah and looking for prey.........

@TizerMiser

3y↑8

Captain Beefheart mentions in an interview how much he liked this song: High praise indeed!

@ritamarie4453

10w↑2

Still sing this time to time. 65 yrs old , and it still kick. AM Radio where I first heard it...all I had...James Dean!

@user-xy7lf1tx1d

Remember- James Dean, movies, Jimmy Dean, sausage.

@brokenarrow1689

4y↑42

I always thought this was a late 80's song. Very innovative for 1973.

@KevyNova

4y↑1

BROKEN ARROW nice Bennington Battle flag.

@Dee2D

4y↑5

🤓 There was an actor in 1989 name Michael Damien he covered this song, so you’re not mistaking😉

@Dee2D

4y↑2

And as for the innovative part,😀Everyone was 🥴high in the 70s,So lots of awesome music was made.

@tateyambrose7290

4y↑2

Me too. Thought it was late '80s. Don't think I heard it until then. Intetesting to discover how old the song is.

@at0micwerew0lf

4y↑1

@@Dee2D explains why I thought it was from 88/89

13 More Replies...

@zipzipboom87

4y↑35

I wake up with song stuck in my head from time to time, but this is the first time in maybe 20 years I've heard it. Still awesome!

@susandonahue865

5y↑219

High school... 70s ...
.. an amazing time to be alive.🌹🌿
I’d give up every iota of tech .. to get back there.
These kids don’t know what they’re missing ... so sad.

@willepete0088

4y↑11

Ok boomer.

@sandraeggertson2715

4y↑19

@@willepete0088 that is the silliest expression ever! lol

@andrewlyon4692

4y↑6

Very much so......

@Bama334

4y↑14

Susan Donahue We can't be too hard on Millenials. It took them almost 20 years and that's the best they could come up with.

@thundrrd5

4y↑17

@@willepete0088 and proud of it. We brought pot, rock and roll and free sex into the world. What the fuck have you millennial's brought, except for auto tune music and participation trophies for everyone?

64 More Replies...

@sleepyjean4275

2y↑2

And where do we go from here,, hopefully we helped to make the world a better place. Rock on.

@lauriegadd-mccabe1359

4y↑17

Back in the day we knew was good music was. We rocked

@TheCelticstrio34

5y↑31

I was born in 1989 but I’m definitely an old soul, love my 60s 70s early 80s Rock

@positivitymaster4855

5y↑1

jonh moe Interesting fact. Michael Damian did a cover of this song on the year you were born.

@teresapappas9773

2y↑9

Absolutely love this classic rock song!

@trishamingin9003

2y↑6

I used to sit with my record player and play this on my 45 adapter.☺☺. I was 12 and I thought my uncle sang it!🤣🤣🤣. It's not of course! But I thought it was! 😆 Lol! Great song for the 70s!!!!!❤❤❤

@bigguys45s29

3y↑10

Love this song’s unconventional melody. Big hit in 1973. Great stuff.

@anipie7142

1y↑6

I have very distinct memories of my dad singing this around the house and it just brings back damn good sweet times.

@carmenanico2786

Bones Brigade documentary skateboard

@donniepayne9786

44w↑2

So many AM radio memories.
This song helped mold me.😎

@gretchenkuhuski4954

1y↑4

Out of the blue I thought of this song. I recently lost my son and I wish I had turned him onto this song because he loved this type of music love and light

@SmokeyTreats

Heartfelt condolences for your horribly tragic loss, Gretchen.

@vanessalevett4218

2y↑11

I remember our music teacher played this to us in a lesson sounded great ... haven’t heard for so long until now👍🏻

@d3w4yn3

2y↑30

This is a brilliant masterpiece.... the mixing is fantastic....

@annedufour4774

3y↑21

Too cool for 🏫 school, kiddos! I cannot believe that I haven't 🎧 listened to that great and into the groove 🎵 song in ages. It literally hit all the right notes. Like someone else noted in this post, it was 🔭 true & pure 🔬 Genius.

@kirnpu

3y↑1

Sometimes "hey kids rock and roll" just floats into my brain and I have to put this song on. Good good times in high school.

@TyroneEpps

9w↑2

This debut album is cool 😊

@briandoczahm

1y↑3

This was the first song I truly loved. I was 7 when it came out. It is still one of my all-time favorites. One night, while out with St Etienne after a show, Sarah Cracknell confessed to me that this has been her favourite song since she was a young child also.

@TheWhitetailrancher

1y↑7

AMAZING!!! Absolutely wonderful! This is, by far, the best recording of this song ever! The sound engineer knocked it out of the park! Thank you for producing an absolute treasure!

@GloriaJWimberley

9w↑1

✨👏✨Iconic and so fresh and unique in its originality, even today😎

@user-kh2kg3xj6q

Still a classic that can’t be duplicated! 51 years later it’s still Rocking On!!!!

@Collin-fr6yz

50w↑3

I remember listening to this in the country one night on this college radio station as a kid, I never heard the song again after that, but still kind of remembered the lyrics. looked up after 7 years of not hearing it, and I found it! Thanks for this song, I'm really glad I found it after all this time!

@jessenolan3852

3y↑5

It's 2021 and I still can't get enough of this tune!! That bass line sucks you right in, the drums are begging you to get up and move, killer tune for being almost 50 years old!!!

@georgegeorge5901

1y↑1

One of the meanest jams of the 70's. Late Jan. '74 - my Senior year! Rock on!

@mrcrandberry6115

20w↑1

Man, there's so much to love about this song and dissect.

1) That bass. It's made clear in the beginning that the bass is the main instrument, playing the main riff and the licks.

2) The delay on David's microphone. The choice of delay for David really complements his smooth, rocker voice. It adds that feeling that you get. You hear it and you think "ooh, this is different."

3) The strings and horns. Strings and horns are no strangers to rock. Having been utilized relentlessly in rock music such as the Beatles, Chicago, and George Thorogood especially. The use of horns and strings in "Rock On" emphasizes the beginning of a new era in rock history — the '70s.

@paulthanasse7405

2y↑6

This came out when I was in Jr high.. .loved it then...still do!... Timeless classic....

@gordblackwell5007

1y↑3

I was born in 1968 and my mom was a real music lover. The first two albums she gave me were her copy of the original Elvis Presley debut album with Blue Suede Shoes and this one by David Essex. Still have both records in great shape despite having been handled by kid version of me. But Rock On has always been my first music love and all-time favorite song.

@trailingupwards

I was born a decade after this song came out. They used to play it on the radio all the time during the 1980's, and it blew my mind as a child. It still blows my mind.

@brianw9242

3y↑2

My dear ` ol Dad used to sing along to this but he used to ``Rocko`` which made me and my sisters laugh . Great song and lots of happy memories Brian

@donjones1955

4y↑15

My neighbors had no idea how good this song could be.

@kurtralske4026

1y↑3

The first time I heard this song, I was 13 years old and I’d just smoked weed for the first time. It sounded niiiiiice.

@paulrogers7067

2y↑1

David was brilliant

@user-kn7gz7qg4w

Fantastic 🎉❤🎉

@michaelkearney-mm6yn

Still sounds radical. The story of David's writing and recording of tracks like this has never been well told because he was doing so much more. It's now pretty clear that 'David Essex' was a theatrical performance but that implies a tremendous performance art and then there's this song that gets him into the Billboard charts but it's so utterly uniquely weird. So then he's some kind of enigma but that too cant survive David Cook who's an Irish traveller's son and so completely unpretentious. Great man this man

@timcloutier3729

1y↑4

How do you know when a song from the 70's is "mad" keeewwwlll? When your watching Rob Zombie's movie The Devil's Rejects in 2023 and boooommmm, it pops up in the soundtrack.
🤘🏻🎶🎶🎶🎶😈🎶🎶🎶🎶🤘🏻

@ralphsanchez2893

2y↑3

A forgotten gem great song David Essex

@davidwilliams2211

36w↑1

The 70’s music never gets old!

@briancompton-ut9sc

7w↑1

Masterpiece in sound reflection and dynamics !!

@dragosdragomir1032

5y↑29

Simple rithm, amazing interpretation.
I like how real it sounds!

@lisamccracken6853

3y↑8

Still relevant and brilliant!

@codzy3532

1y↑1

back in 75 had a friend she had all his posters all over her bedroom wall she said hes georgous love him rip donna never forgotten great friend too xox

@drewmckenna7

2y↑2

Still one of the coolest out there

@BearkatSpock

5y↑20

This was one of the well known tunes on the jukebox at The Old Church bar in Dallas in the 70s! A great memory! #RockOn

@bryancorcoran760

3y↑7

Absolutely brilliant loved it when it came out still do

@bustedbutnotblocked8826

2y↑1

Best song of ages

@TippyMaxwell6359

1y↑1

We skated our arses off in the 70s to this with lights down disco ball twirling. Greatest of times great song

@aidanmcknight9104

2y↑3

Of "cool" could be expressed in a song...this is it.

@1btlfan

4y↑7

Loved this when it first came out...It seems timeless sometimes. I can listen to this and just rock on...

@annettefoster9941

16w

I absolutely adore this man I went to see David Essex in the 80s in Bournemouth he was & still is gorgeous ❤❤

@willalexmac7714

1y↑2

This song came out in late 1973, when I was a freshman in high school.

@philipadams4343

4y↑5

A truly unique record - a rock & roll song without any guitar (except bass). Love this one!

Load More Comments...

More Comments

just now