I Dig Rock and Roll Music
Paul and Mary Peter Lyrics
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And I love to get the chance to play (and sing it)
I figure it's about the happiest sound goin' down today
The message may not move me
Or mean a great deal to me
But hey! It feels so groovy to say
I dig the Mamas and the Papas at "the trip"
And they got a good thing goin'
When the words don't get in the way
And when they're really wailing
Michelle and Cass are sailin'
Hey! they really nail me to the wall
Donovan kind of in a dream-like, tripped out way
His crystal images tell you 'bout a brighter day
And when the Beatles tell you
They've got a word "love" to sell you
They mean exactly what they say
I dig rock and roll music
I could really get it on in that scene.
I think I could say somethin' if you know what I mean
But if I really say it, the radio won't play it
Unless I lay it between the lines
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
In “I Dig Rock and Roll Music,” Peter, Paul and Mary honours their beloved musical genre rock and roll, while taking a tongue-in-cheek swipe at a few of their contemporaries. The opening line “I dig rock and roll music” establishes the song’s carefree tone and the lyricist's love of the infectious sound. The song is about the joy of listening to rock and roll music and getting the chance to play it. It’s also about the feeling of belonging, the sense of being part of a movement that was shaking up the establishment.
The verses mention famous acts like The Mamas and the Papas, Donovan and The Beatles, eventually making a nod to Bob Dylan with the line “But if I really say it, the radio won't play it unless I lay it between the lines.” Peter, Paul and Mary's affectionate parody of the California folk-rock sound was so persuasive and authentically done that it became a hit in its own right. The lyrics exude a joyous confidence in the transformative power of all the great music that has come out of rock and roll, as the band praises the genre as bright, hopeful, and soulful.
Line by Line Meaning
I dig rock and roll music
I like listening to rock and roll music
And I love to get the chance to play (and sing it)
I enjoy playing and singing rock and roll music when I have the opportunity
I figure it's about the happiest sound goin' down today
I believe rock and roll music is the most uplifting and joyful music genre available now
The message may not move me
The lyrics of the songs may not have a significant emotional impact on me
Or mean a great deal to me
Or they may not hold a lot of meaning to me
But hey! It feels so groovy to say
But it feels good to say that I like this type of music
I dig the Mamas and the Papas at "the trip"
I really like The Mamas and The Papas when they perform at 'The Trip' club
Sunset strip in L.A.
This is a reference to a street in Los Angeles where many clubs and music venues are located
And they got a good thing goin'
The Mamas and The Papas have a great style and vibe in their music
When the words don't get in the way
Their music is enjoyable when the lyrics don't overshadow the music itself
And when they're really wailing
When they are really performing well and with energy
Michelle and Cass are sailin'
Two of the members of The Mamas and The Papas, Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot, are performing exceptionally well
Hey! they really nail me to the wall
Their performance is so excellent that it captures my full attention
Donovan kind of in a dream-like, tripped out way
Donovan's music has a surreal and dream-like quality to it
His crystal images tell you 'bout a brighter day
His music often has uplifting and optimistic themes
And when the Beatles tell you
When The Beatles sing to their audience
They've got a word "love" to sell you
They are promoting and spreading the message of love through their music
They mean exactly what they say
Their message is sincere and authentic
I dig rock and roll music
I enjoy listening to rock and roll music
I could really get it on in that scene.
I can really get into the vibe and energy of the rock and roll scene
I think I could say somethin' if you know what I mean
I feel like I have something to contribute to this music genre
But if I really say it, the radio won't play it
If I express my true thoughts and feelings about rock and roll music, it may not be accepted or popularized by the mainstream media
Unless I lay it between the lines
Unless I express my thoughts in a subtle or indirect way
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
These are nonsensical syllables that do not hold any particular meaning
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
These are nonsensical syllables that do not hold any particular meaning
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
These are nonsensical syllables that do not hold any particular meaning
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE DIXON, JAMES MASON, NOEL PAUL STOOKEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pro1er
A masterpiece of both lyrics and music as is Creeque Alley by the Mamas & The Papas. They don't write songs like that anymore.
@MikeJones-rk1un
MSM censorship. Don't tell the truth whatever you do.
@klaytonvonkluge4905
Amazing music and time;
Mary T.'s enthusiasm and stage presence are positively infectious!
@bpabustan
Mary is the rocker of the three hehehehehe
@Milesco
@bpabustan : Well, she was the only one without an instrument, so she was more able to move around freely. But we like Mary. :-)
@paulwagner688
Especially considering her almost paralyzing stage fright. Why do you think her hands were always clenched in fists?
@jean-pierrejipi5720
Excellent
@angelicwolf909
Happiness is when you belt out music in front of a live audience for the very first time and you know, and they know, you not only have a hit ... but a masterpiece that will be iconic for decades.
@KellysClassics
I hear that...the music I grew up with in the 60s in Saskatchewan will always be w me...including P, P & Mary
@NKEEFE54
I miss going to their shows. They were always like you were sitting with them and everyone was singing together. I miss Mary so much but have been able to see both Paul and Peter since her passing. Great timeless music, it is still as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.