Rockin' The Paradise
Styx Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Paradise
Whatcha doin' tonight? (Whatcha doin', whatcha doin')
Have you heard that the world's gone crazy?
Young Americans listen when I say
There's people puttin' us down
I know they're sayin' that we've gone lazy
To tell you the truth we've all seen better days
Don't need no fast buck lame duck profits for fun
Quick trick plans, take the money and run
We need long term, slow burn, getting it done
And some straight talking, hard working son of a gun

So whatcha doin' tonight (whatcha doin', whatcha doin')
I got faith in our generation
Let's stick together and futurize our attitudes
I ain't lookin' to fight
But I know with determination
We can challenge the schemers who cheat all the rules

Come on take pride, be wise, spottin' the fools
Big shots, crackpots bending the rules
A fair shot here for me and for you
Knowing that we can't lose

And we'll be rockin' in paradise
Rockin' the paradise tonight
Rockin' in paradise
Rockin' the paradise tonight
Tonight, tonight

Come on take pride, be wise, spottin' the fools
Big shots, crackpots bending the rules
A fair shot here for me and for you
Knowing that we can't lose

And we'll be rockin' in paradise
Rockin' the paradise tonight (you know we're rocking in paradise)
Rockin' in paradise (you know we're rocking tonight)
Rockin' the paradise tonight (yeah we gnona rock)
Rockin' in paradise (rock, rock, rock, rock, in paradise)
Rockin' the paradise tonight




Rockin' in paradise
Rockin' the paradise tonight (come on, come on)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Styx’s “Rockin’ the Paradise” portrays a message of unity, perseverance, and determination, especially amongst generations of Young Americans. The song acknowledges that the world is going crazy and people are putting younger generations down. However, the singer has faith in their generation that, with determination and hard work, they can challenge the schemers who cheat all the rules. The song encourages young Americans to stick together and fu turize their attitudes towards life, not to be bothered by, or give in to fast buck lame duck profits, quick trick plans or the big shots, and crackpots who bend the rules.


The lyrics emphasize the need for long-term, slow burn, and hardworking individuals. The lines "Don't need no fast buck lame duck profits for fun, Quick trick plans, take the money and run, We need long term, slow burn getting it done, And some straight talking, hard-working son of a gun," emphasize the need for long-term, committed individuals who are willing to work hard and be honest. The "paradise" mentioned throughout the song represents the ideal world of unity, hard work, and honesty. The song encourages young Americans to take pride in themselves, be wise and spot the fools, and work hard to achieve their goals.


Line by Line Meaning

Paradise
The song is about creating and preserving paradise through determination and hard work.


Whatcha doin' tonight? (Whatcha doin', whatcha doin')
The singer is asking his listeners what they are doing tonight and inviting them to participate in creating the paradise he's talking about.


Have you heard that the world's gone crazy?
The world is in a state of chaos and the singer is calling on people to come together and take action.


Young Americans listen when I say
The singer is addressing young people and calling on them to listen to his message.


There's people puttin' us down
There are people who doubt that the paradise can be created and are discouraging others from trying.


I know they're sayin' that we've gone lazy
Those who doubt the possibility of paradise are accusing the singer and others of being lazy and lacking motivation.


To tell you the truth we've all seen better days
The singer acknowledges that times have been better in the past, but he is still optimistic about the future.


Don't need no fast buck lame duck profits for fun
The singer is calling out those who are only interested in making a quick profit without putting in the work to create something worthwhile.


Quick trick plans, take the money and run
People who only care about making a quick buck come up with schemes that don't have any long-term value.


We need long term, slow burn, getting it done
The singer believes that creating paradise requires hard work, perseverance, and patience.


And some straight talking, hard working son of a gun
People who are honest and hardworking are key to making the dream of paradise a reality.


I got faith in our generation
The singer has confidence in the younger generation's ability to create a better world.


Let's stick together and futurize our attitudes
The singer is calling on people to support each other and adopt a more forward-thinking mindset.


I ain't lookin' to fight
The singer doesn't want conflict, but he's willing to stand up against those who oppose his vision.


But I know with determination
The singer is convinced that through focus and persistence, they can accomplish their goals.


We can challenge the schemers who cheat all the rules
The singer is calling on people to take on those who use dishonest means to gain an advantage.


Come on take pride, be wise, spottin' the fools
The singer is encouraging people to have pride in themselves and their abilities, and to be aware of those who may be trying to deceive them.


Big shots, crackpots bending the rules
Those who hold power and those who are irrational and/or insane are both trying to subvert the rules for their own gain.


A fair shot here for me and for you
Everyone deserves an equal opportunity and fair treatment.


Knowing that we can't lose
The singer is confident that if they work together, they will succeed in creating paradise.


And we'll be rockin' in paradise
If they succeed, they will celebrate by enjoying themselves in paradise.


Tonight, tonight
The day they will reach paradise is not so far away.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DENNIS DE YOUNG, JAMES VINCENT YOUNG, TOMMY R SHAW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@falcngnzx2

proudlyrushian3 years ago
 
"At about 3:36, someone yells "Go Sparky go!" Who's Sparky?"

==============================================

Dennis yells that line (the beginning of the song are the lyrics "Tonight's the night, we'll make history. AS SURE AS DOGS CAN FLY...")

"Sparky" is a "flying dog" that was part of an act at the "Paradise Theatre" evidently, right before the Theatre closed in 1958.

On the back cover of the album, on the lower right, you will see an advertisement for "Sparky the Flying Dog", which describes how the Theatre had gone from fancy shows in 1928 when it opened to "Flying Dog" shows over 30 years...

http://www.vinylrecords.ch/S/ST/Styx/Paradise/styx-paradise-26.jpg

========================== 



@Max-ro7sz

Tonight's the night we'll make history, as sure as dogs can fly
And I'll take any risk to tie back the hands of time
And stay with you here tonight
So take your seats and don't be late, we need your spirits high
To turn on these theatre lights and brighten the darkest skies
Here at the Paradise....

So whatcha doin' tonight?
Have you heard that the world's gone crazy?
Young Americans listen when I say
There's people puttin' us down
I know they're sayin' that we've gone lazy
To tell you the truth we've all seen better days

Don't need no fast buck lame duck profits for fun
Quick trick plans, take the money and run
We need long term, slow burn, getting it done
And some straight talking, hard working son of a gun.
 

So whatcha doin' tonight, I got faith in our generation
Let's stick together and futurize our attitudes
I ain't lookin' to fight, but I know with determination
We can challenge the schemers who cheat all the rules

Come on take pride, be wise, spottin' the fools
No more big shots, crackpots bending the rules
A fair shot here for me and for you
Knowing that we can't lose

And we'll be rockin' in Paradise
Rockin' the Paradise tonight
Rockin' in Paradise
Rockin' the Paradise tonight
Tonight, tonight...



All comments from YouTube:

@apfelprincess45

Man Denis DeYoung could sing. I've loved this since 1981, I tell you after what we've all been through in the last three years since 2020 and the state that the world continues to be in, I'd go back to 1981 in a heartbeat. Care to join me?

@danielkoher1944

I’m driving get on the bus!

@veronicaalleyne

not on your life, once was enough for me

@deancaron988

I'll go and I'll stay single

@johnpugh327

Such a great album with so many songs that never got any air play at all. Still love it after all these years.

@michaelwallbrown3726

you can thank I-Heart radio for that

@ns2110theonly

I love that so many of us remember this album as a big part of our Summer 1981 memories. The best of times to be young.

@AO2CWVET

We sure did have the greatest rock n roll,

@greta3315

Ageee my friend. All the best to you 🇺🇸🇺🇸👏🏻🇺🇸👏🏻👏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@ns2110theonly

@@greta3315 same! Be healthy and safe & keep on rockin🙂

More Comments

More Versions