Originally a rockabilly artist from Altus, Oklahoma, Martin is best known for writing the songs "Bad Case Of Lovin' You (Doctor, Doctor)" made famous by English singer Robert Palmer and "Cadillac Walk" made famous by American singer Willy DeVille.
Martin gained recognition in the 1970s as a pop artist and composer. He was given the nickname "Moon" because many of his songs had "moon" in the lyrics. He also scored two minor hits of own with the song "Rolene" in 1979 and the song "Bad News" in 1980 in France
Rolene
Moon Martin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She knows what I need to ease a cravin' in my spine
A cheerleaders smile
Tijuana style
Your daddy might be judge
Sure know how to nudge
All right Rolene
Rolene
Well, I've been livin' so white and clean
Jack, it's made me mean
I need Rolene's smooth, round thigh
It's like a rush to get me high
I give it my best shot
Honey, all I got
My name may not be Hud
But I'll show you I'm no dud
All right Rolene
Rolene
Rolene
You know my baby's love
Just like a sweet velvet glove
Honey, crack that whip
Ya make me bite my lip
All right Rolene
Rolene
Rolene
Moon Martin's "Rolene" is a song about an infatuation with a woman named Rolene who the singer thinks of as being able to provide him with what he needs to alleviate a craving in his spine. He wants the operator to connect him with Rolene because he thinks she knows just what he needs to feel better. The singer describes Rolene as a cheerleader with Tijuana style who knows how to nudge. He is convinced that she has the ability to make him feel better and that he needs her in his life.
Throughout the rest of the song, the singer talks about how he has been living his life in a white and clean manner but that it has made him mean, and that he needs something to lift him up. He describes Rolene's smooth, round thigh as being like a rush to get him high and says that he will give it his best shot to show her that he is no dud. He also talks about how his baby's love is just like a sweet velvet glove, but that Rolene has the ability to make him bite his lip with her commanding presence.
Overall, "Rolene" is a song that is about the desire for something exciting and different in one's life. The singer believes that Rolene is the answer to his problems and that he needs her to fulfill his deepest desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on operator gimme Rolene on my line
I need to talk to Rolene to satisfy my desire
She knows what I need to ease a cravin' in my spine
Rolene understands and knows how to satisfy my desires
A cheerleaders smile
Rolene has an attractive smile that can light up anyone's mood
Tijuana style
She has a certain style and personality that can only be found in Tijuana
Your daddy might be judge
Rolene may have a father who holds a position of power and influence
Sure know how to nudge
She knows how to persuade and influence people to get what she wants
All right Rolene
Rolene is the one I want and I'm ready to go for it
Well, I've been livin' so white and clean
I have been living a sober and responsible life for a while
Jack, it's made me mean
Unfortunately, the straight, clean life has made me feel irritable and aggressive
I need Rolene's smooth, round thigh
I need Rolene's physical presence to get rid of my pent-up frustrations
It's like a rush to get me high
Getting close to Rolene feels like getting a sudden surge of adrenaline, getting me high
I give it my best shot
I'm willing to give all that I have to pursue and win Rolene's affection
Honey, all I got
I am ready to lay everything on the line for Rolene
My name may not be Hud
I may not be the most impressive person, but I have something to offer Rolene
But I'll show you I'm no dud
I'm willing to prove myself to Rolene and show her that I am worth her time
You know my baby's love
I have someone special in my life, but I still crave something more
Just like a sweet velvet glove
The love that I have is comforting, like a soft and plush velvet glove
Honey, crack that whip
I want Rolene to take charge and show me what I'm missing
Ya make me bite my lip
She is so powerful and attractive that she even makes me bite my lip in anticipation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brain Scott
The song definitely has that Dave Edmunds/Nick Lowe/Rockpile vibe goin' on! Very popular late 70's production. R I P Moonie!
Thomas Sauve
I saw him years ago at a small club in Calabasas, Ca. He tore the place up! This is easily one of my favorites of his.
mlthmp
Love his voice, and the guitar in this song is awesome. Glad my older brother introduced me to Mr Martin.
Genaro Suarez
I love this song since I first heard it on American Top 40 back in 1979!
Michelle Duncan
I rarely heard this song back in the day, but when I did it was so good.
Andrea Mullins
RIP, Moon. You were the greatest.
kansascity online
Damn.. I just discovered Moon.. I mean.. how did I miss this?... And all this time I thought Robert Palmer sang that song.. Well hell... my foot is a tappin and my fingers are a snappin.. :) .. better late than never .. !!
MikeBlitzMag
RIP John David "Moon" Martin, who suddenly left us on 11 May 2020, just as Jay Willie and James Montgomery had covered his classic composition Cadillac Walk as the title track for their brand new Zoho label collaboration. Rolene brought Moon Martin solidarity with the so-called punk/new wave movement in 1979, and his legacy is an enduring one. We paid tribute to him at length in Blitz Magazine. What a tragedy.
Carl Gustav
Had no idea, thank you for this info
Keith Libner
I just heard Bad Case of Loving You and thought that it sounded a lot like Rolene. The intro explained it all.