That's Rock 'n Roll
Eric Carmen Lyrics


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Well I was sixteen
And sick of school
I didn't know what I wanted to do
I bought a guitar
I got the fever
That's rock'n roll

I played at parties
Played in bars
I spent my money buyin' new guitars
I screamed my heart out
But how I loved it
That's rock'n roll

Well, come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down, that's rock'n roll

It's when the smokin'
And the heat
Have got your heart pounding right with the beat
Don't try to fight it
Just get excited
That's rock'n roll

Well it's the roadies
And the crowd
It's when the band's playin' way too loud
Your hips are shakin'
Ain't no mistakin'
That's rock'n roll

Well, come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down, that's rock'n roll

Well, come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down, that's rock'n roll

Now don't you worry
'Bout bein' a star
It doesn't matter who or what you are
Just get the rhythm
And let it fill ya
That's rock'n roll

And if you feel it
Clap your hands
Let's see some sweat for the boys in the band
Now lemme hear ya
Lemme hear ya
That's rock'n roll

everybody get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down, that's rock'n roll

Well, come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody
Get down, that's rock'n roll (yeah, yeah)

Well, come on everybody
Get down and get with it
Come on everybody




Get down and get with it
Come on everybody, get down, that's rock'n roll

Overall Meaning

Eric Carmen's "That's Rock 'n Roll" is the ultimate ode to rock music and its all-encompassing appeal. The song's narrator, a teenager, expresses his frustration with school and his search for a new outlet. He discovers music, specifically rock 'n roll, and immediately "gets the fever." He spends all his time playing parties and bars, buying new guitars with his money, and screaming his heart out. The song repeatedly emphasizes the idea that rock 'n roll is more than just a genre of music; it's a lifestyle, a feeling, a state of mind. The lyrics advise listeners to "get down and get with it," to let go of inhibitions and embrace the energy of rock music.


Carmen also highlights the communal aspect of rock 'n roll in the song. He mentions the roadies and the crowd, emphasizing the shared experience of attending a concert. When the band plays too loud and your hips start shaking, there's no mistaking that it's rock 'n roll. The song even includes a call-and-response section, urging listeners to clap their hands and sweat for the boys in the band.


Overall, "That's Rock 'n Roll" is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of belonging, particularly for those who feel out of place in other areas of their lives. It's a timeless anthem that still resonates with fans of all ages and backgrounds today.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I was sixteen
Eric Carmen describes being sixteen years old and feeling disillusioned with school.


And sick of school
Eric Carmen shares his distaste for school and the desire to go in a different direction.


I didn't know what I wanted to do
Eric Carmen expresses uncertainty about his future.


I bought a guitar
Eric Carmen decides to try playing the guitar as a hobby or a potential career path.


I got the fever
Eric Carmen becomes passionate and excited about playing the guitar.


That's rock'n roll
Eric Carmen associates his newfound passion for playing the guitar with the genre of rock 'n roll music.


I played at parties
Eric Carmen begins to perform at social gatherings and events with his guitar.


Played in bars
Eric Carmen starts performing at local bars and venues, small but still making a name for himself.


I spent my money buyin' new guitars
Eric Carmen invests the money he earns from playing into purchasing new guitars to improve his performance.


I screamed my heart out
Eric Carmen puts all of his energy and emotion into singing and performing rock 'n roll music.


But how I loved it
Eric Carmen is thrilled and passionate about his passion for rock 'n roll music and performing.


Come on everybody
Eric Carmen begins to appeal to a larger audience and encourages others to engage with the rock 'n roll genre.


Get down and get with it
Eric Carmen invites others to enjoy rock 'n roll with him by dancing and joining the fun.


It's when the smokin'
Eric Carmen describes the intense and exciting atmosphere of a rock 'n roll performance.


And the heat
Eric Carmen references the hot temperature generated by the energetic crowd and band members at a rock 'n roll performance.


Have got your heart pounding right with the beat
Eric Carmen explains how the pulse and energy of rock 'n roll music induces an adrenaline rush.


Don't try to fight it
Eric Carmen advises that resistance to the allure of rock 'n roll is futile.


Just get excited
Eric Carmen suggests surrendering to the passion and excitement of rock 'n roll music.


It's the roadies
Eric Carmen recognizes the importance of a strong support team behind any successful rock 'n roll performance.


And the crowd
Eric Carmen expresses appreciation for the enthusiastic and energetic audience at a rock 'n roll performance.


It's when the band's playin' way too loud
Eric Carmen describes the iconic element of a rock 'n roll performance - loud and unbridled musical expression.


Your hips are shakin'
Eric Carmen notes the physical reaction one has to the high-energy music of rock 'n roll.


Ain't no mistakin'
Eric Carmen emphasizes that the recognition and thrill of rock 'n roll is unmistakable.


Now don't you worry
Eric Carmen comforts and reassures his audience that anyone can enjoy and participate in rock 'n roll culture.


'Bout bein' a star
Eric Carmen declares that the pursuit of fame and fortune is not necessary to enjoy and participate in rock 'n roll culture.


It doesn't matter who or what you are
Eric Carmen emphasizes the universality and inclusivity of rock 'n roll culture.


Just get the rhythm
Eric Carmen instructs people to focus on the beat and rhythm of rock 'n roll music to feel its power.


And let it fill ya
Eric Carmen encourages people to deeply immerse themselves in rock 'n roll music and to let it affect them emotionally.


And if you feel it
Eric Carmen is confident that anyone who opens themselves up to rock 'n roll culture will eventually feel its influence.


Clap your hands
Eric Carmen encourages people to physically express their appreciation and enjoyment of rock 'n roll music by clapping their hands.


Let's see some sweat for the boys in the band
Eric Carmen expresses gratitude and respect for the musicians who create rock 'n roll music, and asks the crowd to show it too.


Now lemme hear ya
Eric Carmen invites his audience to show their enthusiasm and excitement for rock 'n roll music.


Come on everybody
Eric Carmen repeats his encouragement to everyone present to engage in the invigorating spirit of rock 'n roll music.


Get down, that's rock'n roll
Eric Carmen's final reminder that simply letting oneself go and succumbing to the power of rock 'n roll is the essence of the genre.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Carmen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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