Kid Rock released several studio albums from 1988 that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record 'Devil Without a Cause', released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba","Cowboy," and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released The History of Rock which was a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from his previous albums as well as the hit single, "American Bad Ass". In 2001, he released the follow up, Cocky. After a slow start, his country-flavored hit "Picture" with Sheryl Crow resurrected the album and it went gold as a single and pushed the album's sales to more than 5 million. It was followed by 2003's self-titled release, which failed to chart a major hit. In 2006 he released Live Trucker , a live album. In 2007 Kid Rock released Rock N Roll Jesus, which produced a hit in "All Summer Long." It was his first worldwide smash hit, charting #1 in eight countries across Europe and Australia. Rock N Roll Jesus would go on to sell 5 million albums worldwide including being certified triple platinum in the US.
He has sold 22 million albums to date in the United States, which currently ranks him as the 99th best selling music artist of all time in the U.S.
Rock N Roll Jesus
Kid Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been alotta cheap talk but I rock still
From the streets of Shanghai back to Knoxville
Sittin' high on a mountain top holdin' shop spreadin' the good news
Been alotta false prophets and quick hits
And a lot of unAmerican bullshit
But the time has come to settle and the devil's gonna make you choose
And just like a cold wind blowin' can you feel me comin' for you
Just like a freight train rollin' packed tight full of rhythm and blues
Testify
It's a Rock revival
Don't need a suit
Ya don't need a bible
Get up and dance
I'm gonna set you free yeah
Testify
It's all sex, drugs, rock n roll
A soul sensation that you can't control
And you can see I practice what I preach
I'm your rock n roll Jesus
Yes I am
Been alotta bling bling but it ain't real
And alotta new kings but I won't kneel
Sittin' high on a mountain top, holdin' shop singin' the raw dog blues
Like in old Mississippi's dirty cotton fields
Or in Detroit City's unforgotten wheels
It's the same song spinning but the same song's always been true
And I'm gonna take my roll 'cause I ain't got nothin' to lose
And I'm gonna save your soul if it's really what you want me to do
[Repeat chorus]
Get on your knees
I'm your rock n roll Jesus
In Kid Rock's song Rock N Roll Jesus, he paints a picture of himself as a messiah of sorts come to save people through music. He calls out the false prophets and quick hits in the music industry, and speaks of his own authenticity and dedication to his craft. He likens himself to a cold wind, a freight train full of rhythm and blues, and the soul sensation that can’t be controlled.
Furthermore, Kid Rock speaks of the wide range of cultures he represents in his music, from the streets of Shanghai to Knoxville, and the Mississippi cotton fields to Detroit City's unforgotten wheels. He sings about spreading the good news and holding shop, seemingly taking on the role of a preacher, encouraging his audience to dance and get free. Kid Rock declares himself as the rock n roll Jesus, wielding the power of sex, drugs, and rock n roll, ready to save anyone who asks for it.
In short, Kid Rock’s song, Rock N Roll Jesus, is a testament to the power of music, and how it can unite people from all walks of life with its infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. The song is a call to action - a plea for people to let go of their worries and fears and let the music set them free.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn me up in the headphones
Please increase the volume of my music in the headphones.
Been alotta cheap talk but I rock still
There have been many criticisms about me, but I still make good music.
From the streets of Shanghai back to Knoxville
I've traveled a lot from China to Tennessee.
Sittin' high on a mountain top holdin' shop spreadin' the good news
I am sitting on a mountain top, preaching my message to my followers.
Been alotta false prophets and quick hits
There have been many fake leaders, who don't last long in the music industry.
And a lot of unAmerican bullshit
There's been a lot of music that doesn't represent America's true spirit.
But the time has come to settle and the devil's gonna make you choose
It's time to decide what kind of music you want to listen to - my rock n roll or something else.
And just like a cold wind blowin' can you feel me comin' for you
I will come to you strongly and unapologetically, like a cold wind.
Just like a freight train rollin' packed tight full of rhythm and blues
My music is powerful and unstoppable, like a freight train loaded with rhythm and blues.
Testify
Express your faith and belief in my music.
It's a Rock revival
Rock n roll culture is making a comeback.
Don't need a suit
You don't have to be dressed formally to enjoy my music.
Ya don't need a bible
You don't have to follow any specific religion to enjoy my music.
Get up and dance
Move your body and enjoy the rhythm of my music.
I'm gonna set you free yeah
My music will liberate you and make you feel free.
It's all sex, drugs, rock n roll
My music is associated with sex, drugs, and the wild rock n roll lifestyle.
A soul sensation that you can't control
My music will captivate your soul and you won't be able to resist it.
And you can see I practice what I preach
I embody the ideals and values that I promote through my music.
I'm your rock n roll Jesus
I am like a deity for my followers who believe in rock n roll culture.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARLON YOUNG, ROBERT J RITCHIE, KENNETH P TUDRICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam Tmac Tiu
"Rock N Roll Jesus"
Turn me up in the headphones
Been alotta cheap talk but I rock still
From the streets of Shanghai back to Knoxville
Sittin' high on a mountain top holdin' shop spreadin' the good news
Been alotta false prophets and quick hits
And a lot of unAmerican bullshit
But the time has come to settle and the devil's gonna make u choose
And just like a cold wind blowin' can u feel me comin' for u
Just like a freight train rollin' packed tight full of rhythm and blues
Testify
It's a Rock revival
Don't need a suit
Ya don't need a bible
Get up and dance
I'm gonna set you free yeah
Testify
It's all sex, drugs, rock n roll
A soul sensation that you can't control
And you can see I practice what I preach
I'm your rock n roll Jesus
Yes I am
Been alotta bling bling but it ain't real
And alotta new kings but I won't kneel
Sittin' high on a mountain top, holdin' shop singin' the raw dog blues
Like in old Mississippi's dirty cotton fields
Or in Detroit City's unforgotten wheels
It's the same song spinning but the same song's always been true
And I'm gonna take my roll cuz I ain't got nothin' to lose
And I'm gonna save your soul if it's really what you want me to do
[Repeat chorus]
Get on your knees
I'm your rock n roll Jesus
David Vollmar
I just remembered why he truly rocks. Great work. The band. They rock!!!!
Lilly Wilkin
I love this song so much! It’s so hard though they have a lot of great songs but this one is the best! I will use it on my channel playlist!
Cheryl Palmer
I dig his tunes...Kid Rock you Rock!!!!!!
KIDROCK official channel
How long have you been a fan of my music?
Oliii
Cant get enough of this song!
Cowgirl Wild Child
Kid Rock is like the best rock singer in the world 😃!!
Andrew Bishop
No
adonai yah
Its too much
James Marcotte
Standing up for what he believes in
Logical Metaphysics
0 dislikes! It's a Rock n Roll miracle!!