That Is Rock & Roll
The Coasters Lyrics


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In the beginning, there weren't nothin' but rocks
Then somebody invented the wheel
And things just began to roll!

Did you ever hear a tenor sax
Swingin' like a rusty axe?
Honkin' like a frog
Down in a hollow log?
Baby, that is rock and roll

Did you ever hear a guitar twang
Jingy, jingy, jingy, jang?
Ever hear those strings
Doin' crazy things?
Baby, that is rock and roll

That ain't no freight train that you hear
Rollin' down the railroad tracks
That's a country boy piano man
Playin' in-between the cracks

You say that music's for the birds
You can't understand the words?
Well, honey, if you did
You'd really blow your lid
'Cause, baby, that is rock and roll

That ain't no freight train that you hear
Rollin' down the railroad tracks
That's a country-boy piano man
Playin' in between the cracks

You say that music's for the birds
And you can't understand the words?
Well, honey, if you did
You'd really blow your lid
'Cause, baby, that is rock and roll (in the mornin')




Baby, that is rock and roll (in the evenin')
Baby, that is rock and roll

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of “That Is Rock & Roll” by The Coasters describe the evolution of human technology from basic rocks to more complex inventions such as the wheel. The lyrics establish that the song is going to be about the evolution of rock and roll. The song then goes on to describe specific sounds and styles that are associated with the genre.


The first verse mentions the tenor saxophone, which is a common instrument in rock and roll music. The lyrics use imagery to describe the sound of the saxophone as “swingin' like a rusty axe” and “honkin' like a frog / Down in a hollow log”. These descriptions are meant to convey the raw, primal energy of rock and roll. The second verse mentions the guitar, another instrument commonly associated with the genre, and describes the sound of the strings as “Doin' crazy things”. The chorus emphasizes that this is rock and roll and that it can’t be mistaken for anything else.


The song also addresses people who may not appreciate rock and roll music or find it difficult to understand. The lyrics suggest that if they did understand it, they would “blow [their] lid” because of the genre’s energy and intensity. Overall, “That Is Rock & Roll” celebrates the unique sound and spirit of rock and roll music.


Line by Line Meaning

In the beginning, there weren't nothin' but rocks
At first, the world was just a barren and rocky place


Then somebody invented the wheel
But then humans came along and invented the wheel


And things just began to roll!
And suddenly, everything started moving and changing rapidly


Did you ever hear a tenor sax
Have you ever listened to a tenor saxophone being played?


Swingin' like a rusty axe?
It can sound like a rusty axe being swung around


Honkin' like a frog
Or maybe it sounds more like a frog making noise


Down in a hollow log?
Like it's hiding away in a hollow log


Baby, that is rock and roll
But that's just how rock and roll music sounds


Did you ever hear a guitar twang
Have you also listened to a guitar being played?


Jingy, jingy, jingy, jang?
It can make a twangy, jangly sound


Ever hear those strings
Or have you heard the strings vibrating


Doin' crazy things?
And making all sorts of unique and wild sounds?


That ain't no freight train that you hear
When you hear loud music, it's not actually a train coming


Rollin' down the railroad tracks
But it's just a musician playing a piano like they're driving a train


That's a country boy piano man
The musician might be a country boy who loves to play the piano


Playin' in-between the cracks
And they're playing unique and experimental music that doesn't fit traditional genres


You say that music's for the birds
You might not think highly of this type of music


You can't understand the words?
Or maybe you can't even make out the lyrics


Well, honey, if you did
But if you could understand and appreciate it


You'd really blow your lid
You might be blown away and amazed by this type of music


'Cause, baby, that is rock and roll
Because that's exactly what rock and roll music is


Baby, that is rock and roll (in the mornin')
Whether you hear it in the morning or not


Baby, that is rock and roll (in the evenin')
Whether you hear it in the evening or not


Baby, that is rock and roll
This type of music is always going to be rock and roll




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@hiro_chan.d_b.

オールディーズ大好き❤
カッコイイ❣️

@marylloyd2342

Love, love, love the Coasters. That sax!

@user-up4cj3ez4n

名曲です☺

@hidingunderyourskin

Man, I gotta find this one's 45 in the wild. Have it on some cassette I bought at a thrifter with a bunch of other Coasters classics and fell in love. Though, this one sounds different.

@brianrocks2087

Long live Rock and Roll

@barrygioportmorien1

I love this coasters song...

@liviapetre5515

Wow, such a wonderful rock and roll!!

@cityzen2717

Leiber-Stoller + the Coasters= a match made in R n' Roll HEAVEN.

@sickkat5910

Banjo in a rock and roll tune... gotta be the Coasters!!!

@MrTubbyd

This is the flip side of Along Came Jones. I loved this song though and traded a popular 45 for it to a friend back in 59. Not many people remember this song nowadays. i still use it (sing snatches to myself) I think it's a classic.

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