Rock and Roll Music
The Beatles Lyrics


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Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
I've got no kick against modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
And lose the beauty of the melody
Until they sound just like a symphony

That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me

I took my loved one over across the tracks
And she can turn her mind to wailin' sax
I must admit they have a rocking band
Man, they were blowing like a hurricane

That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me

Way down South they had a jubilee
Them Georgia folks they had a jamboree
They're drinking home brew from a wooden cup
The folks are dancing, they got all shook up

And started playing that that rock and roll music
Any old time you use it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me

Don't care to hear them play a tango
And in the mood they take a mambo
It's way too early for a congo
So keep a-rocking that piano

That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old time you use it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Oh, they got rock and roll music




If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me

Overall Meaning

The Beatles's "Rock and Roll Music" is a high-energy tribute to the power of rock and roll music. The song extols the virtues of the style, calling attention to its backbeat and easy danceability. John Lennon delivers the lyrics with his characteristic wit and enthusiasm, urging listeners to let themselves be swept up in the music's spirit of rebellion.


The song also takes a subtle dig at modern jazz, which Lennon suggests can sometimes sacrifice melody in favor of speed and complexity. This preference for simplicity and accessibility is another hallmark of rock and roll, which emphasizes energy and raw emotion over technical virtuosity.


Line by Line Meaning

Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music
I want to listen to rock and roll music.


Any old way you choose it
It doesn't matter how you play it. Any style is alright.


It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Rock and roll has a strong and steady rhythm that's easy to follow.


Any old time you use it
You can listen to rock and roll music at any time.


Gotta be rock and roll music
If it's not rock and roll music, it won't do.


If you wanna dance with me
If you want to dance with the singer, you need to listen to rock and roll music.


I've got no kick against modern jazz
The singer doesn't dislike modern jazz music.


Unless they try to play it too darn fast
It's only when modern jazz music is played too quickly that the singer doesn't enjoy it.


And lose the beauty of the melody
When modern jazz music is played too fast, the melody is lost.


Until they sound just like a symphony
Playing modern jazz music too fast ruins its unique sound and makes it similar to a symphony.


I took my loved one over across the tracks
The singer and their loved one went to a different neighborhood.


And she can turn her mind to wailin' sax
The singer's loved one enjoys saxophone music and can play it well.


I must admit they have a rocking band
The band they listened to played great rock and roll music.


Man, they were blowing like a hurricane
The band played their instruments with great intensity and energy.


Way down South they had a jubilee
In the Southern United States, there was a joyous occasion.


Them Georgia folks they had a jamboree
The people in Georgia were having a lively celebration.


They're drinking home brew from a wooden cup
The people were drinking homemade alcohol from wooden cups.


The folks are dancing, they got all shook up
Everyone was dancing and having a great time.


And started playing that that rock and roll music
The band began playing rock and roll music, which made everyone even more excited.


Don't care to hear them play a tango
The singer isn't interested in listening to a tango song.


And in the mood they take a mambo
The singer doesn't feel like listening to a mambo song right now.


It's way too early for a congo
It's too early in the day to play a congo song.


So keep a-rocking that piano
Instead, the singer wants the piano player to keep playing rock and roll music.


Oh, they got rock and roll music
They have rock and roll music available to listen to.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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