So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
Then take some time
And learn how to play
And with your hair swung right
And your pants too tightIt's gonna be all right
Then it's time to go downtown
Where the agent man won't let you down
Sell your soul to the company
Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware
And in a week or two
If you make the charts
The girls'll tear you apart
The price you paid for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game?
You're a little insane
The money, the fame, and the public acclaim
Don't forget who you are
You're a rock and roll star
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
The Byrds's song "So You Want to Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star" is a satirical commentary on the music industry and the fleeting nature of fame. The song advises aspiring musicians to learn how to play the electric guitar, dress in a flashy manner, and sell their soul to record companies in order to achieve success. The lyrics suggest that the industry will chew you up and spit you out, leaving you with riches and fame but questioning the price you paid for it.
The line "sell your soul to the company who are waiting there to sell plastic ware" is a direct reference to the commercialization of music and the idea that record labels are only interested in making money from their artists, rather than fostering their creativity. The reference to "plastic ware" suggests that the music being produced is cheap and disposable, with little substance or lasting value.
The chorus repeats the phrase "you're a rock and roll star" multiple times, but the final line "don't forget who you are" is a warning that success can quickly lead to a loss of identity and a sense of disconnection from one's true self.
Overall, the song presents a cynical view of the music industry and the sacrifices that musicians are often expected to make in order to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
So you want to be a rock and roll star?
Are you sure that you want to become a famous musician?
Then listen now to what I say
Pay attention to my advice about how to achieve your goal.
Just get an electric guitar
Buy an electric guitar to play rock and roll music.
Then take some time
Spend some time to learn how to play the guitar.
And learn how to play
Develop your guitar skills to become a good musician.
And with your hair swung right
Style your hair in a way that suits the rock style.
And your pants too tight
Wear tight pants to look like a rock star.
It's gonna be all right
Don't worry, you can be successful if you follow these instructions.
Then it's time to go downtown
Go to the city where the music industry is located.
Where the agent man won't let you down
You can find an agent who can help you get a record deal.
Sell your soul to the company
Sacrifice your artistic freedom and creativity for commercial success.
Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware
The record company is eager to produce and sell your music.
And in a week or two
If you're lucky, your song might become popular very quickly.
If you make the charts
If your song is successful on the music charts.
The girls'll tear you apart
You'll be highly admired and chased by screaming fans, especially girls.
The price you paid for your riches and fame
You've sacrificed your artistic integrity and freedom to earn money and fame.
Was it all a strange game?
Do you regret becoming a famous musician because of the cost you've paid?
You're a little insane
You might need to be a little crazy to become a rock and roll star.
The money, the fame, and the public acclaim
You've gained wealth, recognition, and praise from the public for your music.
Don't forget who you are
Remember your original intention of playing music and don't lose yourself in fame and fortune.
You're a rock and roll star
You've become successful and popular as a rock musician.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la
A nonspecific sound that can represent the joy and celebration of being a rock and roll star.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Christopher Hillman, Roger James Mcguinn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@visiondepez
🦂🦂🦂🦂
Si querés ser una estrella de rock
Escúchame bien lo que te digo yo
Alquila la eléctrica ya, tomate un mes y aprendé a tocar
Y en poco tiempo más estarás en TV
Las chicas van a gritar
Anda yendo y búscate ya un representante que te va a cagar
Vendé tu alma a la corporación
Vestite bien y robale una canción
Y en poco tiempo más tendrás tu CD
Las chicas van a gritar
No te olvides tu eléctrico fin
Aprendé a grabar adentro de un placard
Y si alguien te va a discutir, no te olvides jamás
Sos un rock and roll star
@smokinjz
So you want to be a rock'n'roll star
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
And take some time and learn how to play
And when your hair's combed right and your pants fit tight
It's gonna be all right
Then it's time to go down town
Where the agent men won't let you down
Sell your soul to the company
Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware
And in a week or two if you make the charts
The girls will tear you apart
What you pay for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game
You're a little insane
The money that came and the public acclaim
Don't forget what you are
You're a rock'n'roll star
Lalalalalalala
@비정한세상
[Verse 1]
So you want to be a rock 'n' roll star?
Then listen now to what I say
Just get an electric guitar
Then take some time and learn how to play
And with your hair swung right
And your pants too tight
It's gonna be alright
[Verse 2]
Then it's time to go downtown
Where the agent man won't let you down
Sell your soul to the company
Who are waiting there to sell plasticware
And in a week or two
If you make the charts
The girls'll tear you apart
[Verse 3]
The price you paid for your riches and fame
Was it all a strange game?
You're a little insane
The money, the game and the public acclaim
Don't forget what you are
You're a rock 'n' roll star
@Cutino13
Charly te amo
@javierdamian-pl9dg
Say No More
@adoooniz
Charly y the byrds esto es vida
@alexthemod2333
Los byrds son fantasticos
@rogerbyroncollins7204
OMG l am 75 and a teen through the 60s and enjoyed the London club scene but all of us thought The Byrds outstripped the likes of The Beatles and The Stones by miles! Hanging on my wall since the 60s is a signed LP cover of Mr Tambourine Man by the entire group. I still listen to them 2 or 3 times a week! As good today
@RobertWCox-sj3qk
We were sad they burned out as fast as they did, but saw them twice in 1966, my freshman year of college, they played our campus, fab, just fab !!! But if not for the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Animals, The Zombies, The Cream, Procol Harem the Yardbirds, and so many greats from UK, well I am ashamed to say, America would have just had Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, they would have tried to crush Elvis too, but the King survived !!!! Rock On Roger Byron Collins !!!
@martyjewell5683
Outta sight, man.
@gurnblanston5000
@Robert W. Cox Cream...Supreme!
@ronwhiteman8892
I failed to get their autographs when I met them in mid-1965. The only guy I didn’t meet was Mike Clarke. I finally got Chris Hillmans’s, Roger McGuinn’s, and David Crosby’s. I was recording in Hollywood at the time at studio A at Capitol.
@Fletch7453
❤ 71 going on 18, my brother in Rock and Roll. 😊