Released as a single from the 1983 album Secret Messages. The song sees the band return to their rock roots and features a violin solo by Mik Kaminski.
The song went through many changes during recording and at one point was going to be called "Motor Factory" with a completely different set of lyrics. The single proved to be ELO's last UK top twenty hit single, and reached #19 in the U.S.
"I sang on quite a few tracks; I sang on Rock 'N' Roll Is King. I played on that one, but it wasn't called that, it was something about something about working at Austin Longbridge! It was full of car plant sounds, you could hear it going clank, clank, clank, like somebody hitting a lathe with a hammer, and Jeff went away and made it into Rock 'n' Roll Is King, wiped off everything we'd done, no, there was still some backing left in there, It was much better how he finished it off than it was before." Dave Morgan (March 4, 1999 - King Of The Universe #8)
Professional wrestling tag team Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, also known as The Rock 'n' Roll Express, began using Rock 'n' Roll Is King as their ring entrance music after 1983.
Rock 'N' roll is king
Elo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, feel that rhythm and it's really gonna thrill your soul
Mmm, come along with me to a land of make believe
She said, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
She loves that rock 'n' roll, and she plays it all night long
Oh, that's all she ever tells me when I call her on the telephone
She says, "Feel that jumpin' beat, and a-get up on your feet."
Oh, let those guitars play,
Play for me, play for me
Oh, let that song ring out
That's how it's meant to be.
Well, it rolls like a train that's a-comin' on down the track
She rolled over Beethoven and she gave Tchaikovsky back
Oh, she loves that drivin' beat, she goes dancin' on down the street
She said, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
Oh, rock on!
Oh, let those guitars play,
Play for me, play for me
Oh, let that song ring out
That's how it's meant to be.
Well, when she comes around and I'm listenin' to the radio
She says, "You can't do that, 'cause all I wanna do is rock 'n' roll."
Now here I'm gonna stay where that music starts to play
She says, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king
Oh, yeah, whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king
Oh, oh, whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king
Ooh, yeah, whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
She said, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
The opening lines of Electric Light Orchestra's "Rock 'N' Roll Is King" immediately introduce listeners to the essence of the song - the infectious rhythm that's sure to thrill your soul. The singer invites us to join him in a land of make-believe, where his love for rock 'n' roll reigns supreme. He narrates how he calls his girlfriend, only to hear her talk about rock 'n' roll all night long. She's a rock and roll fanatic who insists that the driving beat is all she needs to get up on her feet and dance. She rolls over Beethoven and returns Tchaikovsky's classical music with the kind of rock 'n' roll that drives her wild.
The chorus then repeats the emphasis on the guitars, as if to say that rock 'n' roll is not rock 'n' roll without the iconic sound of the electric guitar. The music is meant to be played, and it's meant to be loud so that everyone can hear it. The singer concludes by declaring that all he wants to do is rock 'n' roll, and he'll stay where the music starts to play. In essence, "Rock 'N' Roll Is King" celebrates the irresistible power of rock 'n' roll and the countless ways it has captured the hearts of music lovers everywhere.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, listen, everybody, let me tell you 'bout the rock 'n' roll
Attention, everyone! Listen to me talk about rock and roll.
Oh, feel that rhythm and it's really gonna thrill your soul
The beat of the music will excite you deeply.
Mmm, come along with me to a land of make believe
Let's escape reality and imagine a different world together.
She said, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
She proclaims that rock and roll is the greatest music of all time.
She loves that rock 'n' roll, and she plays it all night long
She adores rock and roll and listens to it continuously.
Oh, that's all she ever tells me when I call her on the telephone
When I call her, she only talks about rock and roll.
She says, "Feel that jumpin' beat, and a-get up on your feet."
She advises me to dance to the lively rhythm of rock and roll.
Oh, let those guitars play,
Encourage the musicians to continue playing their guitars.
Play for me, play for me
Entice me with your music and let me revel in it.
Oh, let that song ring out
Allow the melody to soar through the air and fill our surroundings.
That's how it's meant to be.
This is how rock and roll is supposed to sound and feel.
Well, it rolls like a train that's a-comin' on down the track
Rock and roll has a powerful, unstoppable energy like a speeding train.
She rolled over Beethoven and she gave Tchaikovsky back
She rejects classical music and embraces the thrill of rock and roll.
Oh, she loves that drivin' beat, she goes dancin' on down the street
She adores the pulsing rhythm of rock and roll and dances to it with abandon.
She said, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
She says it again, declaring rock and roll as the dominant genre.
Oh, rock on!
Continue the musical performance with enthusiasm and energy.
Well, when she comes around and I'm listenin' to the radio
When she's near me and I'm listening to the radio.
She says, "You can't do that, 'cause all I wanna do is rock 'n' roll."
She criticizes my taste in music and insists on rock and roll.
Now here I'm gonna stay where that music starts to play
I will stay where the rock and roll music can be heard.
She says, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king
She repeats her belief of rock and roll's superiority.
Oh, yeah, whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king
She confirms that rock and roll is indeed the greatest music.
Oh, oh, whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king
She reemphasizes her love for the genre with more exclamation.
Ooh, yeah, whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
Again, she asserts that nothing is better than rock and roll.
She said, "Whamalamabamalama rock 'n' roll is king."
And one more time, she declares that rock and roll is the greatest.
Contributed by Muhammad H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@livefreeordiehardkor
I was born on 1-15-1984 and here I am on 1-15-2024 listening to this amazing song!
@kristinadraguniene808
I was born on 1951 and I'm listening too...
@mireyagonzalez5483
Yo nací en 1967 y acá estoy, maravillosa música.
@terryallen5328
40 years old and still as good now as it was then. Rock on guys.
@xanthippe9757
We`ll do it!🙃
@hhill4413
Love it, still rocking to it at 86, rocked to it today ,afore I helped with housework and did garden. This music is best medicine I can get
@pierre-jeandacquin8761
Oui, c'est toujours aussi bon !!
@danwedderburn5550
Jeff Lynne is simply a genius & a Legend. Thank you Jeff for all the fantastic music you have brought this world. I take my hat off to you.
@mattschneider6773
If The Beatles stayed together into the 80s, they'd make songs like this.
@hmackie6823
@@mattschneider6773 they wish,Jeff was ahead of the BEATLES at this point and not lookin' back