Rock and Roll
Lez Zeppelin Lyrics


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It's been a long time since I rock and rolled
It's been a long time since I did the stroll
Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back, let me get it back
Mmm baby, where I come from

It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time
Yes, it has

It's been a long time since the book of love
I can't count the tears of a life with no love
Carry me back, carry me back, carry me back
Mmm baby, where I come from, whoa whoa

It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time
Ah, ah, ah

Oh, it seems so long since we walked in the moonlight
Makin' vows that just couldn't work right
Haw yeah, open your arms, open your arms, open your arms
Baby, let my love come running in, yeah

It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Ooh yeah, ooh ooh yeah, ooh yeah, ooh ooh yeah




It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Overall Meaning

Lez Zeppelin's song "Rock and Roll" is a classic rock anthem that celebrates the power of music and its enduring ability to connect people across generations. The lyrics describe a longing to recapture the energy and excitement of youth, harkening back to the days of the early rock and roll era when the genre was in its infancy. The first stanza speaks to this nostalgia, with the singer lamenting the passage of time since they last "rocked and rolled" or "did the stroll," two popular dance styles from the 1950s and 60s. The repetition of the phrase "let me get it back" underscores this desire to recapture something that has been lost, while the reference to the singer's hometown evokes a sense of longing for a simpler, more innocent time.


The second stanza shifts the focus to the concept of love and its absence. The singer speaks of the "book of love," a metaphor for the trials and tribulations of romantic relationships. The phrase "can't count the tears of a life with no love" speaks to the pain and loneliness that can result from a failed relationship or the inability to find love. The repetition of "carry me back" accentuates this sense of desperation, as if the singer is crying out for someone to rescue them from this emotional abyss. Again, the hometown reference reinforces the idea that the singer is longing for a return to a time when things were simpler and love was easier to find.


The final stanza returns to the theme of youthful romance, with the singer reminiscing about past love affairs that were doomed to fail. The vow-making of the lovers in the moonlight is a classic romantic trope that is often associated with the innocence and idealism of young love. The repetition of "open your arms" suggests a desire for connection and closeness, while the request to "let my love come running in" is a plea for acceptance and forgiveness. The repetition of the refrain throughout the song serves to reinforce the idea that time has passed, but the desire for human connection and the power of music to bring people together remains as strong as ever.


Line by Line Meaning

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled
The singer hasn't engaged in any exhilarating activities or had fun in a long time.


It's been a long time since I did the stroll
The singer hasn't indulged in any kind of leisurely activity or walked around aimlessly for a long time.


Ooh, let me get it back, let me get it back, let me get it back Mmm baby, where I come from
The singer wants to experience the same kind of fun and excitement that they used to have when they were younger, wherever they used to live before.


It's been a long time, been a long time Been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time Yes, it has
The artist reaffirms their statement about having spent a long time without feeling fulfilled, happy, and engaged in any kind of satisfying activity.


It's been a long time since the book of love I can't count the tears of a life with no love
The artist hasn't experienced the joy and fulfillment of being in love for a long time and has instead experienced a lot of emotional pain and distress.


Carry me back, carry me back, carry me back Mmm baby, where I come from, whoa whoa
The singer wants to travel back in time to the place where they used to belong and where they were happy.


Oh, it seems so long since we walked in the moonlight Makin' vows that just couldn't work right Haw yeah, open your arms, open your arms, open your arms Baby, let my love come running in, yeah
The singer remembers a failed relationship they had in the past and longs for love and affection from someone new.


Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey Ooh yeah, ooh ooh yeah, ooh yeah, ooh ooh yeah It's been a long time, been a long time Been a long, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time
The song repeats the same sentiments expressed earlier, highlighting the deep-seated longing for happiness, love, and fulfillment that the artist feels.




Writer(s): Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham, Robert Plant

Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@JohmathanBSwift

I'm just glad Led Zeppelin has their channel where we can leave comments.
I love going through them, replying, responding, the way YouTube used to be.
It was a great way to interact with people who went to shows, who might be going, etc.
This might sound crazy for people today, but I was a cellar rat.
We used to have beer signs light up in those dank basements, incense burning, and we bought/brought albums.
We would sit around and listen to the albums.
You would hand the album jacket around, talk about the artwork, lyrics
if your eyes weren't too fuzzy to read them, and basically get the overall feel of the work the band just put out.
You knew the name of the band members.
That's why I'm glad we can still comment here on Led Zeppelin's channel.

Thanks for the great year's work lads.
a lifelong fan.



@fredv6237

LYRICS:

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled
It's been a long time since I did the stroll
Ooh let me get it back, let me get it back
Let me get it back, baby, where I come from

It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time
Yes, it has
It's been a long time since the book of love
I can't count the tears of a life with no love
Carry me back, carry me back
Carry me back, baby, where I come from, whoa-oh-oh

It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Oh seems so long since we walked in the moonlight
Making vows that just can't work right, oh yeah
Open your arms, opens your arms
Open your arms, baby, let love come running in, yeah
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Yeah-hey, yeah-hey, yeah-hey, yeah-hey

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Ooh yeah, ooh yeah
It's been a long time, been a long time
Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time



All comments from YouTube:

@marciashiraishi5891

Led Zeppelin is like rare wine, time makes them better…listening to them is an incomparable pleasure. How not to love them?

@michelenorelli5791

best sentence in my 47 years of listening...

@matiortegayegros6880

I don´t have an answer for your question.

@ryanmfrench

Note to the future generations: never forget this masterpiece

@randolphmaupinjr8880

Amen, absolutely

@marialuizamatai3069

They probably won't... I guess 90% of cassettes,videos and Led Zeppelin compilations I've been listening/watching all this years begin with Rock n Roll.
Hello from Brazil!

@thomasforinger3488

Will " the future generations", living in their instagram filtered, unreal live, ever be able or willing to live a Rock'n'Roll live? I doubt in full

@remipriem9367

Dont worry! Best group ever <3

@bigbird6873

Yup

35 More Replies...

@jamesandgames623

The best blues band turned into the best rock band of all times!. There never will be another like them. Listen to this mix and the separation of guitar tracks and the piano. Perfect!. 😎

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