Rock And Roll Mercenaries
Meat Loaf Lyrics


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Talkin' about rock n' roll mercenaries
Soilders of fortune by some other name
I'm talking about rock n' roll mercenaries
Money is power, and power is fame

Everything you pay to hear
Just listen
Everything to catch your ear
Just listen
Whatever it takes they're ready to sell
Anything and everything they do it themselves

Talkin' about rock n' roll mercenaries
Soilders of fortune by some other name
I'm talking about rock n' roll mercenaries
Money is power, and power is fame

Young are the victims so easily swayed
As some given are poisoned, so continuous placed
Our conscience is a load, so heavy to carry
For a rock n' roll mercenary

Talkin' about rock n' roll mercenaries
Soilders of fortune by some other name
I'm talking about rock n' roll mercenaries
Money is power, and power is fame

It starts with a game
See how they play
Till all of the laughter is faded away

Ooo, it's not for the soul
It's not for the love
It's just for the gold
And it's never enough

Talkin' about rock n' roll mercenaries
Soilders of fortune by some other name
I'm talking about rock n' roll mercenaries
Money is power, and power is fame

Ooo, it's not for the soul
It's not for the love
It's just for the gold
And it's never enough

Talkin' about rock n' roll mercenaries
Soilders of fortune by some other name
I'm talking about rock n' roll mercenaries
Money is power, and power is fame





Rock n' roll mercenaries
Ooo, talkin' about

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Meat Loaf & John Parr's song "Rock N' Roll Mercenaries" are a commentary on the music industry and its exploitation of young and vulnerable aspiring musicians. The opening lines of the song talk about the things that people associate with power - wealth, money, horses, and diamonds - and how they all lead to power. The chorus of the song talks about how these mercenary musicians are soldiers of fortune who are in it for the money, power, and fame that comes with being a rock star. The song highlights that everything the musicians do is to sell themselves and make a profit, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this.


The second verse of the song talks about how young aspiring musicians are often lured in by promises of fame and success, only to be taken advantage of by the industry. The line "Our conscience is a load, so heavy to carry, for a rock 'n' roll mercenary" suggests that these young musicians may feel guilty for selling out and sacrificing their art for the sake of profit. The third verse highlights how the industry is not focused on the music or the love for it, but purely on making money. The line "It's not for the song, it's not for the love, it's just for the gold and there's never enough" reinforces this idea.


Overall, "Rock N' Roll Mercenaries" is a cautionary tale about the price of fame and success in the music industry. It warns young musicians not to be taken advantage of and to remember why they started making music in the first place.


Line by Line Meaning

Talking, talking, wealth, talking, money, talking, power
They are always talking about how rich and powerful they are.


Talking, horses, talking, fun, talking, self, talking, power
They use their wealth and power to have fun and only care about themselves.


Talking, diamonds, talking, ego, talking, man, talking, wealth)
They are obsessed with material possessions and their egos.


(And talking, power)
And they never stop talking about their power.


(And talking, power)
And they never stop talking about their power.


Money is power, power is fame
They believe that money and power lead to fame.


[Chorus]Talking about rock 'n' roll mercenariesSoldiers of fortune by some other nameI'm talking about rock 'n' roll mercenariesMoney is power, 'n' power is fame
The song is about these individuals who sell their talents for money and power.


Everything you pay to hear, just listenEverything to catch your ear, just listenWhatever it takes, they're ready to sellAnything and everything they do it themselves
They will do anything and everything to sell their music and talent for their own benefit.


[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the idea that they are just selling their talents for money and power.


Young are the victims so easily (swayed, slain)(As some given are poisoned, all continuous placed)Our conscience is a load, so heavy to carry, for a rock 'n' roll mercenary
The youth can easily be fooled by them, and they feel guilty for it, but they still continue to sell their talents for money and power.


[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the idea that they are just selling their talents for money and power.


It starts with a game, see how they playTill all of the laughter is faded awayIt's not for the song, it's not for the loveIt's just for the gold and there's never enough, never enough
They start playing music for fun, but they become obsessed with making more and more money, and stop caring about the art behind the music.


[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the idea that they are just selling their talents for money and power.


(Rock 'n' roll mercenaries)
They are just mercenaries selling their talents for money and power.


(Talking, talking)(Talking, talking)(Talking, talking)(Talking, talking)
Repeating that they never stop talking about their wealth, power, and ego.


Rock 'n' roll mercenaries, ooh, talkin' aboutRock 'n' roll mercenaries
Repeating the title for emphasis.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

Cara West

Oh my god I've been trying to find this song for ages, I used to love this when I was younger!! Still as good as I remember!

Nikolajs Mercs

Редчайшее несоответствие известности и качества песни! Почти ноль восторгов и, сильнейшая вещь того времени! Воистину,толпу не понять! Майкл Джексон-глыба,монстр,а Meat Loaf-"группа с задворков"... Нет пределов людской аномалии.:-D

JoeHell67

great Memories... bought the LP when it was released..... what a Rock'n Roll Gem

Joe from Germany

Henny

Ja...habe es als jugendlicher hoch und runter gehört. Meat war mein Einstieg in Sachen Rock/Metal. Immer wieder gerne

Robert Leslie

first meatloaf song i remember from growing up still my favorite

randy cable

Not many folks but true meatloaf fans even knew this album came out. I was at the store the day it was released a good tune from an awesome album. Thanks for the post.

sleep walker

I bought on cassette when it was first released. Great album.

peggles727

This song rings true even today. Too many "artists" out there just to make money, not for the love of it.

John Silver

Songs of Meat Loaf are of very high quality but somehow remain underestimated

Ali Waugh

Hey, Meat looks great in the photo! Brilliant artist - his name IS rock and roll!

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