Rock And Roll
Jerry lee Lewis & Johnny Cash Lyrics
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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 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
In Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash's song, "Rock and Roll," the singer reflects on his musical journey and roots in the rockabilly genre. He remembers when Elvis Presley came onto the scene and changed the game, and how he and his fellow musicians ran with the style. Despite his preference for country music and the influence it has on him, the singer is willing to venture into the rock and roll world for the woman he loves.
The song takes us back to Memphis in 1955, where Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, and Billy Riley were paving the way for a new style of music. The singer acknowledges the emergence of a new sound and the "weirdos" that are waiting in the wings. However, he remains committed to his love for the woman and is willing to try new things even though he is in his 40s.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the early days of rock and roll and the artists who paved the way for the genre's success. It also speaks to the power of love and the willingness to try new things for the people we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
They used to call me Rockabilly
People once referred to me as a Rockabilly artist
All of us ran through
All of us musicians were experimenting with new styles of music
When Elvis opened up the door / With a pup-and-pup-and-boo
Elvis Presley paved the way for rock and roll music with his unique style and sound
I didn't ever play much rock and roll / 'Cause I got so much country in my soul
I didn't play much rock and roll because I was more drawn to country music
But I'm a different man for lovin' you / And I take a shot at what you ask me to
Being in love with you has changed me and I am willing to try new things for you
And baby I will rock and roll with you / If I have to
I'm willing to try rock and roll music with you, even if it's not my preferred genre
Memphis 1955 on Newton Avenue / Carl and Jerry and Charlie and Roy / And Billy Riley too
In 1955, musicians like Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, and Billy Riley were all in Memphis on Newton Avenue making music
A new sun risin' on the way we sing / And a world of weirdo's waitin' in the wings
There was a new style of music emerging and there were many unconventional artists waiting to make their mark
But I love you and though I'm past 42 / There are still a few things yet I didn't do
Despite my age, there are still things I haven't done and I am willing to try them with you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HardRockMiner
There is more real talent on this stage than there was on the last 10 MTV Music Awards combined.
@altereddogma
And those men grew up learning to play music in their backyards on their porches like people their generation and generations before them did. They learned from their elders and just trying for the pure pleasure of it. Back in the day, almost everyone played a musical instrument of some kind, often more than one, and the naturally gifted shined among everyone else, and with the advent of radio and then TV could become famous musicians just because they were so naturally talented as songwriters, singers, and/or musicians.
@macmac8249
Today is 12 March â21 and there are 236 folks who agree with you....oops, sorry...make that 237. Yer right. Thanks ....Mac
@viggothysinistertoaster2696
You got to bump those numbers up, letâs say the 100 latest general music awards and lists including garbage âmusicâ
@Rickswars
You nailed it
@karenwinkler6001
Wow great talent ..who is gonna fill their shoes? Jerry Lee, Roy and Johnny I recognized. Carl Perkins threw me off.
@denisburgess2966
Four legends performing together like that is absolutely fantastic
@edjo487
This is insane! I bet nobody realized at the time what it meant to have these 4 legends up on that one stage!
@disprogreavette8545
I'm pretty sure they did know.
@MrWmburr7
That was great! I thought that Carl Perkins might have been the weak link in this group, but his voice was incredible. What a quartet!