There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Arrows is a syn… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Arrows is a synth pop duo from South Africa. Featuring Pam De Menezes on piano, synth, and vocals, and drummer Christie Desfontaine, the up and coming electronic pop group was founded in 2007. Since then, this Durban-based duo has released one EP and two full-length albums, the most recent of which being 2014's Disaster Queen.

2) The Arrows were a 70's rock band. They're best known for their song, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was popularized in 1981 when Joan Jett and the Blackhearts had a successful hit in their cover version of it. The members were singer/bassist Alan Merrill, guitarist Jake Hooker and drummer Paul Varley.

3) the ARROWS are a Japanese rock band that recently broke indie status with their debut single "NIGHT CALL" on the major label Pony Canyon. They perform a blend of reggae, funk, and rock.

4) The Arrows are a Christian gospel group from North Louisiana.

5) The Arrows were an 80's new wave band from Canada. Their biggest hit was Meet me in the Middle in 1984. They formed in 1981 and disbanded in 1986.

6) The ARROWS was the original name of Canadian indie band Cursed Arrows. Under this name they released one album, Knives Are Falling From The Sky.

I Love Rock 'N' Roll
The Arrows Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I saw her dancing there by the record machine
I knew she must have been about seventeen
The beat was going strong
Playing my favourite song
And I could tell it wouldn't be long 'til she was with me, yeah me
And I could tell it wouldn't be long 'til she was with me, yeah me

Singing, I love rock and roll

So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with me

She smiled, so I got up and asked for her name
"But that don't matter," she said, "'cause it's all the same"
I said, "Can I take you home
Where we can be alone?"
And next we were moving on, and she was with me, yeah me
Next we were moving on, and she was with me, yeah me

Singing, I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with me

I said, "Can I take you home
Where we can be alone?"
Next we were moving on, and she was with me, yeah me
And we were moving on and singing that same old song, yeah with me

Singing I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with me

I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with

I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with

I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby

I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with me

Overall Meaning

The Arrows' "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" is a classic rock and roll anthem about meeting a girl at a bar and connecting over their shared love of music. The lyrics describe the moment when the singer sees the girl dancing by the record machine and knows that she's the one for him. He approaches her and they dance, and he asks her name, but she tells him it doesn't matter, suggesting that the music is all that really matters. They continue to dance to the beat of their favorite song and the singer asks if he can take her home. After leaving the bar, they continue to sing and dance to the same old tune.

The lyrics of "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" speak to the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community. The song captures the spirit of rock and roll, which is all about letting loose, having fun, and living life to the fullest. It's a celebration of youth, rebellion, and the thrill of the moment. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "I love rock and roll / So put another dime in the jukebox, baby," is a timeless rallying cry that continues to inspire people to this day.

Line by Line Meaning

I saw her dancing there by the record machine
The singer saw a girl dancing by the record machine

I knew she must have been about seventeen
The singer estimated the girl's age to be around seventeen

The beat was going strong
The music was loud and had a strong rhythm

Playing my favourite song
The record machine was playing the singer's favorite song

And I could tell it wouldn't be long 'til she was with me, yeah me
The singer had a feeling that the girl would soon be with him

Singing, I love rock and roll
The singer expressed his love for rock and roll music

So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
The singer asked the girl to put another coin in the jukebox to play more music

She smiled, so I got up and asked for her name
The girl smiled, so the singer approached her and asked for her name

"But that don't matter," she said, "'cause it's all the same"
The girl replied that her name didn't matter as they were both there to enjoy the music

I said, "Can I take you home Where we can be alone?"
The singer asked the girl if he could take her home to be alone

And next we were moving on, and she was with me, yeah me
The singer and the girl moved on to another place together

Next we were moving on, and she was with me, yeah me
The singer and the girl moved on to another place together

And we were moving on and singing that same old song, yeah with me
The singer and the girl were moving on to another place and singing the same old song together

So come and take your time and dance with me
The singer asked the girl to take her time and dance with him

So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
The singer asked the girl to put another coin in the jukebox to play more music

I love rock and roll
The singer expressed his love for rock and roll music

So come and take your time and dance with me
The singer asked the girl to take her time and dance with him

Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Comments from YouTube:

@Crushera-yv1hk

7y↑1.8K

Congrats to everyone who knows that this is the original

@anjasfajaryan6201

7y↑16

@splash5427

6y↑18

Thanks

@KeithTheKing

12y

I also like the Britney version a lot. She puts her own stamp on the song. Does it in her own style.

@cppram

8y↑1

Великолепно!!!

@KeithTheKing

11y

Paul passed away far too young, in 2008. He lives on in these Arrows videos! What a wonderful character!

@calebcustombricks2631

5y↑131

Never knew Joan Jett's version was a cover. I have to say I do love this version

@zamiel3

5y↑16

95% of Joan Jett's music is covers...she has only written/co-written maybe 30 songs. Most singers don't write their own songs. Doesn't matter though, Joan Jett still rocks! Love that woman...

@jazzmin1769

10y↑126

Why does Joan Jett get so much credit for this song. This song was kick ass way before Joan covered it.

@KeithTheKing

10y↑13

An often discussed topic here, thanks very much for your opinion. It's a fact that in the music business hits don't happen by magic, they happen because of heavy promotion. Of course the song has to be great but without promotion the best songs and versions can be buried in obscurity. The Arrows record label dropped the ball on this band. They didn't promote the record but the Arrows got one TV appearance with the song which got them a weekly TV series in England, which is where Jett got to hear the song. Joan Jett's record company gave her skillful aggressive promotion on her version with the guidance of industry giant Neil Bogart (Boardwalk Records) and it was a huge hit in the USA. Conversely The Arrows never released their version outside of England. Thank god for the internet so people can know who the original artist is, since the American rock press very rarely describe it as being an Arrows seventies song.

@jazzmin1769

10y↑5

chltmdwp i don't think its necessarily who made the song better because there is a lot of people who have sampled and covered songs but they weren't better then the original. I think KeithTheKing was right by saying its about promotion.

@KeithTheKing

10y↑2

jazzmin lin A great song recorded well without strong promotion will not get to the general public. Hit records are not magic. They take hard work on the business side. Radio, TV, and magazine promotion. It all takes money and hard work. It's a good thing that in spite of poor promotion from their label the Arrows 1975 version of "I Love Rock N Roll" (as performed on their one and only TV appearance with the song on the show "45" in England) got them a weekly TV series in 1976 leading to many covers of the song after they performed it on their TV series a number of times. In essence they were promoting their song which as a result got them a lot of covers.

@jazzmin1769

10y↑5

KeithTheKing I agree!

@davidlyons6235

9y↑11

This version is way best!

27 More Replies...

@everydaymarvin2490

4y↑34

😎 I just found out this was the original version of this song today and I must say i love it! I first heard the Britney Spears version and then the Joan Jett and Blackhearts version. They all have something to offer. I am glad this song is still popular today. I can see why it gets covered quite a bit. It is simple and catchy song that isn't too hard to sing along to or follow. This is rock pop at its finest probably. Best, Marvin 😀 #iloverockandroll #iloverocknroll

@nwmstudios

11y

What a killer sound - can't believe I've never heard it before. Jett's version and this both have a distinct sound that I love. Dude's voice is amazing.

@KiddoEX

12y

I'm a Britney Spears fan, i came here to hear how this version sounds. Gotta say, it's fun seeing a song in different versions. Every artist puts his own style into the song and that's fantastic :)

@vinylsurrender

10y↑24

Joan Jett gets so much credit for this song because no-one remembers that Arrows recorded the original, including me, until recently. This version is just as good as the JJ version, so why it didn't become a hit in its own right beats me.

@KeithTheKing

10y↑10

The Arrows version didn't get promoted by their label and was only released in England.
Joan Jett's version got major corporate promotion from her label and was released world wide.

@vinylsurrender

10y↑6

KeithTheKing Sometimes an artist takes an original song and vastly improves on it, such as 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' originally recorded by Robert Hazard, but vastly improved by Cyndi Lauper, but in this case, The Arrows version is every bit as good as JJ's version, and JJ doesn't improve on it one bit. It's an identi-kit copy.

@emilybeck2579

9y↑3

Bad marketing maybe?

@vinylsurrender

9y↑1

JJ's version is much better KNOWN, not better ;)

@perfection4749

vinylsurrender timing, they released in the 70's in london when the "punk" scene was still in its infancy, so there was very little following then. Business is business, joan took it farther but still recognized there contribution.

@KeithTheKing

12y

Yes, a great era for rock music in Britain, the 70s.

@chumon1992

12y

Such a great voice! I really wish I had known about them earlier. They are never mentioned in this country at all. I'm gonna look up more of their songs.

@Primalonna

8y↑11

I love the scenes in this of them strolling around London in the mid seventies. So much like the Beatles in "Help!" or "Hard Day's Night". Such a great era for music.

@KeithTheKing

11y

Yes, the Arrows recorded and wrote the original version in 1975. Jett covered it in 1982. The Arrows had a weekly television series in the UK 1976 which is where Jett saw them perform the song when she was on tour with the Runaways in England that year. She bought their record and covered the song.

@sooziwoozi

13y

The Arrows are a super versatile group. They cover the whole rock, r&b pop and blues sepctrum musically. To hear the real soul of the band check out the Tawny Tracks album. Though it's a roughly recorded collection of demoed songs that's what the Arrows were really all about.

@ginonapoli9488

10y↑4

Such an amazing band! As time goes by they are more appreciated.

@ludovica36

11y

I loved the Arrows as a kid, mostly because they were so cute. Now I love them because seriously.. what an awesome sound.. GREAT band. So sad they weren't able to fulfil all their potential. .. also.. Alan Merrill ROCKS :)

@KeithTheKing

11y

Yeah - The immortal Paul Varley!!! What a fabulous drummer!

@D-Man_Jam

5y↑23

Truly an underrated song.

@KeithTheKing

12y

They started playing the song live around February in 1975, on tour as guest of Suzi Quatro before their record was even out. It was a part of the Arrows list of songs that they played live right until the band broke up in 1977.

@KeithTheKing

12y↑2

Right, I know that Alan Merrill has been playing a lot of live shows this year. Three hours on stage and over 30 songs? That's amazing!

@KeithTheKing

8y↑5

Two major Korean stars have covered this song. Lee Da Hae and Kara. They do great versions and they're both fun to watch.

@KeithTheKing

12y

I have the Rock Of Ages soundtrack album. It sounds great! Brand and Baldwin do a very good job covering the Arrows song on the CD.

@keatonsmith5669

10y↑27

I love the sound to this version. It's got more grit and grime. Makes me really love rock and roll.

@juanitoeldeldemo3188

9y↑6

Keaton Smith I think it has a glam feeling to it, like T-Rex or Sweet. I've never heard it (actually, I didn't know this version existed), but it's awesome!

@lavine185

8y↑1

The original version before joan jetts cover.

@alexx1456

11y

I'm so glad i found this! His voice gives me goosebumps <3

@houndsofhell

11y

I love this band. So sad to hear that Paul the drummer has passed away. Its good to know that Alan and Jake are still around.

@bbsteviebb

12y

Saw them do this song live. This band were a tough little group live in the 70s. For three guys they made a big full sound.

@rks4011

12y

Love this original version, even better than the fabulous Joan Jett. It is true that we have missed so much in the States. I thought we were one of the leading places for rock n roll....I now find out that I was wrong about that. So many other countries have offered so much to this music. I am loving that we can now discover the history of this great music genre. Thanks to all who post this info!!! Rock on forever!!!!

@KeithTheKing

13y

Arrows singer Alan Merrill was interviewed on Krystal radio in the UK today on the Matt Barker show for an hour. It was excellent!

@mariahxjimin141

5y↑54

I thought Joan Jett was the original, the I was told it was a cover and I listened to this and I love it even more. Amazing.

@KeithTheKing

5y↑6

Joan Jett's version is a cover, 7 years after the original version was released by the Arrows.

@KeithTheKing

13y↑2

That's why Joan Jett's version only got peaked highest at the # 4 position in the British charts and made # 1for many weeks in the US charts. People in England already knew the song, and for them it was a cover. Her fantastic version never even made top 3 in England as a result. Thanks for sharing your memories

@Ashitaka255

13y

Some songs are timeless, (along with everything Beethoven composed) this is one of them.

@elrincondelpardo

11y

Himno total de los 70' y los 80' grandisima canción

@Smashley18

14y

The Arrows are the bomb! For the longest time I thought Joan Jett originally wrote this song but I was wrong. I like her version also they are both good!

@ceross1

11y

no sabia que the arrows habían compuesto y cantado esta canción,great song

@richardoki8320

5y↑25

This should have been a number one when it was originally released!

@kaibyogoten5818

9y↑4

This band is great! I love them.

@kimberlylongman8299

11y

I had no idea that this band existed until now.I love it

@user-hn1cy5ee5l

8y↑3

This song is a hit again and will be 4ever :)

@imranoski_bg

9y↑2

What a masterpiece!

@PaulaSilva-xk1zd

9y↑5

Obra prima do Rock and roll...

@Guitar_Kirby

14y

I love this version. No wonder Joan Jett redid it; it's an awsome song.

@KeithTheKing

12y↑2

The Arrows had hit singles prior to "I Love Rock N Roll" / "Touch Too Much" got up to # 6 in the UK charts in 1974, "My Last Night With You" got up to # 22 in the UK charts. Yes, it's true. The band Arrows had very little promotion with "I Love Rock N Roll"- just one TV appearance in 1975 and no BBC radio play. But Joan Jett's 1982 version only made it to a peak of # 4 in the UK charts. It was well known there as a an Arrows cover from them doing the song often on their weekly TV series in 1976.

@KeithTheKing

11y

Right, in 2013 he's been busy touring (Germany, England, Japan and the USA) and recording and releasing new material. He has a new solo album out now. Of course "I love rock 'n roll" is always a featured part of his live set.

@OffSum87

11y

Such an underrated band... Arrows <3

@Primalonna

12y

Alan Merrill just toured the UK in November 2011 and played this and a lot of other Arrows songs, a 22 song set. He also brought in the new year with "I love rock n roll" at a concert in New York City where he played for three hours from 9:30PM-12:30AM.

@marknewman3712

4y↑1.2K

I never knew Joan Jett's version was a cover. Wow, I hope he licensed this to her instead of selling the rights.

@KeithTheKing

4y↑433

Yes, Arrows kept the rights.

@70schild63

13y

Alan Merril's latest CD is "Numbers" It's really good! This guy is still puttin out some great songs.

@ACHMEDvanINVISIBLE

14y

this really sounds better than any other version or cover of this great song!

@malaikanini

13y

Lead vocalist has amazing voice!

@wexiflex

11y

Great to see TV judges/hosts Christian Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo and Blake Shelton singing this Arrows song on The Voice a few days ago. They were great!

@KeithTheKing

12y

She did a great cover of this Arrows song. It's all a matter of taste after that. Thanks for your comment!

@Neptuneman07

10y↑6

This should have been their biggest hit in the 70s. Just bought an Anthology just to get this great classic.

@Dominik19Z

14y

Love this Song. I want to hear more from them.

@Gilnar13

14y

You can tell it's 70s from that well-kept long hair, lots of concert toms and FREAKIN' GREAT ROCK'N'ROLL!

@jacqui612

11y

The first positive cross pacific rock band. I used to rush home to watch these guys. They gave Marc Bolan and Suzi Quatro a massive leg up to fame.

@1Sharpobject

12y

I love this band, I love this song, I love rock n roll!

@theghostwing1

8y↑3

A really big piece of my childhood <3

@arrowmax60r13

9y↑5

I love Alan and the boys so much now and forever .I do think his boyish looks and rich manly voice may have gone against him sometimes.His range is amazing and quite soft on Touch Too Much and on other songs he sounds quite silky.On I Love ROCK and ROLL,Alans vocal is quite deep.Used to think Freddie had the best voice but now IM NOT SO SURE.They are and were, both so amazing vocally,but Alan and the ARROWS so ....sadly overlooked.As an adult now and not a teen,I CAN APPRECIATE THEIR HUGE TALENT.thank you all for these great downloads and bringing the ARROWS MUSIC TO ALL GENERATIONS.iTS MY birthday tomorrow and will be giving my 45s a spin especially FIRST HIT and the singles of my faves in the next few days.x

@Luma00

8y↑2

this song will always be the definition of perfection

@KeithTheKing

13y

@sooziwoozi "Tawny Tracks" is probably the best Arrows album in my opinion. The band were all over the map musically speaking. They went in many different musical directions according to who was producing them, Mickie Most, Phil Coulter, Bill Wyman or the band themselves on many of their TV series tracks. The common thread is always Alan Merrill's distinctive vocals, which is the distinguishing characteristic of the band..

@audreyhappyface573

11y

I'm thirteen and I LOVE Arrows, Queens, ACDC, Kiss, The Ramones, The Beatles, etc.. Bands and newer music will NEVER compare to the older bands that are LEGENDS and basically started music and gave it a kick start!

@emeraldeyeliner

13y

I actually LOVE this song, its amazing :)

@TR5T

11y

For all interested check out all the Arrows hits or songs that weren't. One of the tragedies of yes mismanagement. Poor Mickey died very painfully. As musicians they were all very accomplished from Little Free Rock, Streak, and Alan's years in Japan. It was a real pleasure to know and work with them. Alan is still out here doing it, Jake is just in another world and one of my dearest friends Paul succumbed to the curse of once being famous. Truly

@clairemaya7110

7y↑14

I love the Joan Jett version of this but my God I love this version too!!

@jodysams3866

7y↑1

Arrows the best

@Craigembisaforestfan

14y

you can't help but love this song!!!!!!

@DocWyoming

14y

How on earth wasn't this as big a hit for the Arrows as it was for Joan Jett? I can't figure it out. What a hard-luck band, they shoulda had monster hits.

@MayaCaballero

8y↑3

I just love Alan Merrill!

@KeithTheKing

14y

@AlicesFanpire Joan Jett and The Arrows are both great acts. The Arrows are gone and their drummer has passed away, but the singer is still active and does solo shows internationally. Joan Jett has never stopped performing. One of the hardest working people in the entertainment business.

@Amberkrosz

11y

Me fascina como suena.

@amylovesfredastaire

7y↑9

Me da mucha pena por ellos, tanto talento… se merecían todo el éxito del mundo:(

@leoyaelezetaramirez9196

Mat Choi si

@TheSirAndrey

12y

Молодцы ребята непотопляемый хит забацали!

@user-uz1hs4su1t

Они великолепны

@PreetamSikdar88

11y

A 1975 song still sounds so fresh even in 2013... My previous generation rocked !!! xD

@LittleLulubee

11y

OMG, I NEVER knew Joan Jett's version was a cover!! I like this version, too. It's a little more psychedelic. And their hair and clothes reminds me of The Beatles :)

@Jillsarocknroller

12y

I love this band!

@gustavonogueira1659

9y↑26

Just imagine this music being sung by The Arrows and Joan Jett together! <3 Would be perfect!

@KeithTheKing

9y↑11

Gustavo Nogueira There is only the Arrows lead singer still alive and I doubt very much that Jett
would want to sing with him. That would draw attention that she's not the original artist. Besides,
Alan Merrill is so good on stage these days he'd probably kick her ass. She's never going to risk it.

@gustavonogueira1659

9y↑5

Because of that, I said "imagine"!

@KeithTheKing

9y↑5

Gustavo Nogueira I hear you!

@gustavonogueira1659

9y↑2

Ok, don't get angry ._.

@KeithTheKing

9y↑5

No, I totally agree with you, please don't misunderstand me, it would be great if Jett performed the song with Merrill. That would be a great rock n roll moment! I would love to see and hear that!

2 More Replies...

@bootcords

13y

The lead singer of Arrows is writing an autobiography. He's still performing around the world and does lots of shows in his home town of New York City.

@jivingjunkosan

12y

I love this song, 37 years later after release.

@Primalonna

13y

Always fun to watch this band! They were great! I really like the London street scenes.

@TheDextruktor

13y

Me encanta :)

@KISSINGJUDAS

4y↑21

Cuando creías que la versión de Joan Jett era la mejor y después te encontras con la sublime versión original. Insuperable!

@erinmcgee1160

9y↑53

I like this one much better than Joan Jett's version.

@petera.michaelsen4657

9y↑12

Erin McGee it’s more raw and rock and roll

@houndsofhell

14y

Monster great song, it's forever classic.

@atinashrewsbury8388

11y

Love both versions.... what a find! :-)

@licketyslick

13y

This version is on Arrows - Tawny Tracks, in my opinion the best album by this band.

@adolfohidalgo2170

7y↑3

Magistral canción y el cover de Joan Jett igual de épica me quedo con las 2 versiones

@jojoranter

12y

Arrows singer Alan Merrill did this song on Saturday night in New York at the Glamdammit fest at the Grand Victory club. It was amazing!

@josuemoraes1333

8y↑10

As always, british groups fill the world with a good song.

@ludovica8221

8y↑1

Though based in UK , Alan Merrill who wrote it, is from New York

@KeithTheKing

11y

No, the Arrows wrote the song and recorded the original released version in 1975 on RAK records in England and a spot on TV with their version was so strong it got them their own weekly TV series. Joan Jett saw the Arrows on TV in '76 on their weekly show and released two covers of this song, one in 1979 (not a hit) and the big hit version in 1981 that made # 4 in the UK charts and # 1 in the USA. Britney Spears recorded a version in 2002 as a single that was also a chart hit in the UK at # 14.

@vivicola

14y

I think Joan Jett, Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears all cover this song very well and in their own way stylistically.

@marymacpherson2250

5y↑16

Ah finally an original verson which is rare on here.
I have always loved this song danced to it millions of times back in 75 when it first came out and still do.
Dont make records like these anymore which is a shame.

@brettbasil

5y↑1

I just found it by pure accident - happy one indeed.

@LuKaTo100

12y

This is the REAL music, just forget today's crap!! :D I LOVE ROCK N ROLL!! =)

@KeithTheKing

12y

The black jacket is made in Japan by designer Noko Ohno. The pendant of music notes belonged to Andy Fraser, bassist of the band Free. All this information is available on the Arrows (UK) official website in the photos section.

@johnobrien8910

7y↑11

great song they proved to the record company that they could write a hit single pity they didnt.think. the same way one of the most covered pop rock songs r.i.p paul and jake,saw lead vocalist alan merrill not so long ago his voice is still great

@Ewka0906xq

12y

I love this song, I love rock n' roll :)

@nickgarfield553

10y↑11

After hearing loads of others sing this, I think that this is the best. But that's my opinion.

@Primalonna

6y↑10

I like all covers of this song. It's such a strong and well constructed song it can be done many different ways.

@KeithTheKing

6y↑2

The many many musically varied covers show that to be true!

@resedoton

14y

This song rocks!

@lonnaweiss8417

5y↑31

Still fantastic in 2019!

@hellowiththepudding8486

5y↑1

Lonna Weiss IKR!

@omhring281

5y↑1

Lonna Weiss yeah truly said😍😍😍🔥🔥

Load More Comments...

More Comments

just now