God Save Rock 'N' Roll
Kid Rock Lyrics

Boy next door not too complacent
The singer of the song is an average guy, but he isn't content with an ordinary life.

Lost till he found how to pound the pavement
He struggled to find his direction until he discovered his passion for music and started playing in local clubs and bars.

He walked like a saint lost far in a world of sin
Despite being surrounded by negative influences, he remained true to himself and his beliefs.

No mama to assure his situation
He grew up without a strong maternal influence in his life.

A misfit piss poor education
He didn't fit in at school, and his academic prospects were limited.

He talked a big game but never could seem to win
He had lofty goals, but struggled to achieve them.

And southwest Detroit ain’t a place to talk no trash
The neighborhood where he grew up was tough, and you had to be careful what you said to avoid escalating situations.

You can throw some dap but it’s best not to flash no cash
It's okay to show respect to others in the area, but flaunting wealth or material items could lead to trouble.

You grow up quick, fightin’ for the upper end of lower class
Life was tough, and you had to work hard to make a living and try to climb the economic ladder.

And sometimes ya feel like sand in an hour glass
Time seemed to escape quickly and it was easy to feel overwhelmed by life's challenges.

Hey there young man, you better dig down deep in your soul
The singer needs to find strength and inspiration from within himself to achieve his dreams.

You better learn to play and pray God save rock n roll
He needed to develop his musical talent and hope that rock 'n' roll would remain relevant and continue to inspire people.

He got a four-piece band for his graduation
After finishing school, he formed a band with some friends.

A second hand van and they toured the nation
They took their show on the road, traveling to different cities and states to play gigs.

But no one seemed to ever wanna sing a long
Despite their hard work and dedication, they struggled to connect with audiences and gain a following.

They headed out west to find salvation
In search of greater success, they traveled to Los Angeles hoping to break into the music industry.

But the Sunset Strip’s a big temptation
The glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the music scene was alluring, but also dangerous.

The girls and cocaine seemed to write every song
He got caught up in the wild party scene, which negatively impacted his music and creativity.

But east LA ain’t a place to talk no trash
The Latino neighborhood had its own rough elements and required respect and caution.

You can play for tips but how long can that life last
He realized he couldn't survive on meager tips from playing music forever.

You grow up quick, writin’ checks your ass can’t cash
He had to take risks and sometimes overspend, putting himself in precarious financial situations.

And sometimes ya feel like life’s movin’ way too fast
The fast-paced and unpredictable lifestyle of a musician was overwhelming and difficult to keep up with.

Hey there young man, you better dig down deep in your soul
He needs to rediscover himself and his passion for music to keep going.

You better find your way and pray God save rock n roll
He needs to chart his own path and maintain his hope for the future of rock 'n' roll to achieve success.

He got pegged to be the next sensation
He was finally discovered and received the recognition he had been hoping for.

A big fat check for his aggravation
He was offered a lot of money to continue making music, which was both rewarding and stressful.

And a renegade spot tucked way high up in the hills
He moved to a new, secluded location to escape the pressures of fame and continue creating music.

His songs played strong on every station
His music became incredibly popular and was played regularly on the radio.

And MTV in full rotation
His videos received heavy airplay on the popular music television channel.

And his garage was filled up with big Cadillac DeVilles
He became rich and successful, which allowed him to buy expensive cars.

He sold his soul it was fabrication
He traded his authenticity and creativity for commercial success.

Found success but lost his patience
Despite achieving his dreams, the difficulties and compromises of the industry wore him down.

Cuz livin’ on the road ain’t all it’s cracked up to be
The constant touring and lack of stability made it challenging to enjoy the success he had achieved.

He got dropped in the middle of consolidation
As the industry evolved, he was no longer seen as relevant and got dropped by his label or management.

His wife took half and then taxation
His personal life also suffered as he had to deal with a failed marriage and high taxes.

Left him right back at the alter on his knees
He was left alone and had to start over to rebuild his career.

Hey mister big shot, how’s it feel to be back?
He faces criticism and ridicule from those who see him as a has-been or a sell-out.

Yeah you made it, became a member of the upper class
Despite his struggles, he did achieve success and financial security, which put him in a different social class.

Forgot your roots and made everybody kiss your ass
However, his success also led him to become arrogant and disconnected from his working-class background.

Hey there young man, I bet ya never thought you'd get this old
The artist reflects on how time has passed and how he never imagined getting older and facing the challenges of the music industry.

I’m still tryin’ to be, I’m still singin’ in key, I’m still livin’ free
Despite the setbacks and challenges, he remains committed to his music, his passions, and his lifestyle.

So fuck you all I said long live rock n roll!
He defiantly proclaims his love for rock 'n' roll music, and refuses to let anyone else dictate his path or his values.