During the 70s, while still in his teens, Mitchell began playing with local bands in the city of Sarnia. After evolving through a few name changes with essentially the same band, Mitchell and a group titled "Zooom" headed off for Toronto, Ontario. The band eventually dissolved, with Mitchell travelling over to the Greek islands.
Upon his return to Canada, he formed the band Max Webster, which managed to finally break through commercially. Besides playing the group, Mitchell and wrote most of the band's songs with fellow Sarnia native and lyricist, Pye Dubois (Paul Woods). Max Webster toured extensively and built a string of hits. Mitchell's solo career began after his departure from Max Webster, with session work and a succession of solo albums.
In early 1985, the song "Go For Soda" from the Akimbo Alogo album became an international hit and perhaps remains his best known song outside of his native Canada.
In 2004, Mitchell entered the radio broadcasting industry, becoming afternoon drive time host on Toronto classic rock radio station Q107.
As of 2005, Mitchell, still does the afternoon drive time on Q107, and is working on a new double CD set for a Spring 2006 release.
In December of 2005, Mitchell had proposed to the Q107 listeners that they write a Christmas song together. The resulting song is entitled "A Christmas Smile". At the end of the song, Mitchell advises his fans not to drink and drive, but to "go for a soda" instead.
ROCK'N ROLL DUTY
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I get it right sometimes I'm wrong
And my love of rock n roll makes me a one-night-stand
Sometimes I'm enriched sometimes I'm tanned
I'm just doing my rock n roll duty
I'm just doing my
I'm just doing my rock n roll duty
Creating a buzz buzz buzz
Man I'm in it for love love love
The love of rock n roll is never right or wrong
That's why you can identify as the day is long
So this is for us
The hard-driving beauty
We can dance in our minds
We can do the tutti-frutti
I'm just doing my rock n roll duty
I'm just doing my
I'm just doing my rock n roll duty
Creating a buzz buzz buzz
Some say I'm in it for the money
Man I'm in it for love love love
I'm just doing my rock n roll duty
Creating a buzz buzz buzz
The lyrics of "Rock'n Roll Duty" by Kim Mitchell are an ode to the power of rock music, and how it has the ability to impact the emotions and experiences of those who listen to it. The lyrics speak to the ways in which rock music provides an outlet for personal expression; whether it is through the joy of creating music, the pain of heartbreak, or the desire to connect with others who share the same passion.
The opening lines of the song immediately capture this sentiment, with Mitchell singing, "My rock n roll heartaches end up in song / Sometimes I get it right sometimes I'm wrong." Here, he acknowledges the vulnerability and authenticity that is required in order to create music that truly resonates with others. He also recognizes that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to express oneself through music, and that the very act of creating it is its own reward.
The chorus of the song reinforces this idea, as Mitchell declares, "I'm just doing my rock n roll duty / Creating a buzz buzz buzz / Some say I'm in it for the money / Man I'm in it for love love love." Here, he asserts that his love of music is the driving force behind his creative endeavors, and that he is simply fulfilling his responsibility as a musician to connect with his audience and create something that is meaningful to them. This sentiment is further emphasized by the repeated phrase, "Creating a buzz buzz buzz," which speaks to the energetic and exciting nature of rock music and its ability to inspire and uplift its listeners.
Overall, "Rock'n Roll Duty" is a celebration of the power of music, and a tribute to the joy and fulfillment that can be found in making and sharing it with others. Through its catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, the song captures the essence of what makes rock music such a beloved and enduring genre.
Line by Line Meaning
My rock n roll heartaches end up in song
I express my personal struggles through my rock n roll music
Sometimes I get it right sometimes I'm wrong
My music is not always perfect but it is always authentic
And my love of rock n roll makes me a one-night-stand
My passion for rock n roll often leads to short-lived romantic encounters
Sometimes I'm enriched sometimes I'm tanned
Sometimes my experiences in the music industry are fulfilling, other times they are disappointing
I'm just doing my rock n roll duty
I feel responsible for upholding the tradition of rock n roll music
Creating a buzz buzz buzz
My music is generating excitement and attention
Some say I'm in it for the money
Some people accuse me of only pursuing music for financial gain
Man I'm in it for love love love
In reality, I am motivated by a deep love and passion for rock n roll
The love of rock n roll is never right or wrong
The passion for rock n roll cannot be judged as right or wrong, it simply exists
That's why you can identify as the day is long
Those who share my love for rock n roll can relate to it all day and every day
So this is for us
This song is dedicated to all the rock n roll fans and musicians
The hard-driving beauty
The powerful and intense sound of rock n roll music
We can dance in our minds
Rock n roll music has the power to transport us and inspire our imaginations
We can do the tutti-frutti
We can embrace the excitement and energy of rock n roll and let loose
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: GARY GLITTER, MIKE LEANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Catalano
Always put on a great show. Seeing Battle Scar performed live, with 3 drum kits playing in TIGHT unison, holy hell!
Doing Canada proud. 🇨🇦
Kiril Kirov
What a riot this track is!!!
Kimbo must be one of the most underrated guitarists ever. The guy is a genius!
Pete Roberts
0:37 to 0:44 Those bass guitar harmony root notes are just so fucking musically sensational.
playinguitarful
totally agree
Alan Macdonald
Dropped "D". Fun song to play on bass.
Corea Kixx
WOW!!! What a song. Thanks. Saw Max Webster in the 70s and 80s, and Kim and his solo bands in the 80s. Never anything less than a PARTY!!! Canadian style!!!!!!
Ryan Mac
Max Webster was excellent! Kim shreds so I’ve never known why it seemed like Canada kept him a secret.
SNMIKE1
That hook draws you in and keep you there and delivers all the way through.... genius.
Mark Cassel
I wish they'd have played him in the U.S. Such a great musician
crepesoftime
"Go For a Soda" is likely the only one you might hear on US radio.