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 song "Rock 'n Roll Duty" by Kim Mitchell is a tribute to the love of rock music. Mitchell talks about how sometimes his heartaches end up in his songs, and although he may get it right or wrong, his love for rock music makes him continue to create music. Mitchell describes himself as being on a mission, with the duty to make people dance and have fun through his music.
The lyrics also discuss how some people may say that Mitchell is in it for the money, but he insists that he is doing it for the love of rock 'n roll. The love for this music is never right or wrong, and people can identify themselves through it. The final lines of the song, "I'm just doing my rock n roll duty, creating a buzz buzz buzz," show that Mitchell is committed to bringing people together through the power of rock music.
Overall, "Rock 'n Roll Duty" is a celebration of the freedom and joy that comes with rock music. It is a call to action for people to enjoy themselves and to let the music move them. The lyrics express Mitchell's dedication to creating music that people can connect with and enjoy.
Line by Line Meaning
My rock n roll heartaches end up in song
My struggles and heartbreaks in life often inspire me to create music
Sometimes I get it right sometimes I'm wrong
I have my moments of success and failure in the music industry
And my love of rock n roll makes me a one-night-stand
My passion for music sometimes leads to brief, fleeting relationships
Sometimes I'm enriched sometimes I'm tanned
Sometimes I have good experiences, sometimes I don't
I'm just doing my rock n roll duty
I feel fulfilled and obligated to create music
Creating a buzz buzz buzz
Generating excitement and interest in my music
Some say I'm in it for the money
Some people think my motivation for music is financial gain
Man I'm in it for love love love
But in reality, my true motivation is my deep love for rock and roll
The love of rock n roll is never right or wrong
Appreciating rock and roll music is not a matter of correctness or incorrectness
That's why you can identify as the day is long
It's something that can easily be felt and understood by many people
So this is for us
This music is for all of the rock and roll lovers out there
The hard-driving beauty
Rock and roll is a powerful and compelling art form
We can dance in our minds
Even just listening to rock and roll can be a transporting and inspiring experience
We can do the tutti-frutti
We can lose ourselves in the music
Creating a buzz buzz buzz
Continuing to generate excitement and interest in my music
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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.