The Dictators are an American punk rock band from New York City. In 1975, t… Read Full Bio ↴The Dictators are an American punk rock band from New York City. In 1975, they released their first album, 'Go Girl Crazy', making them the first NYC punk band to release an album on a major label. Their infectious version of "California Sun" got a huge response. They are considered, to this day, very influential in the genre's development. The Dictators are represented in the "Punk Wing" of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Steven Van Zandt called them,"The connective tissue between the eras of the MC5, The Stooges, the New York Dolls, and the punk explosion of the mid to late 70's."

Members

Richard Manitoba - lead vocals (1973-2008)
Ross "The Boss" Friedman - lead guitars/backing vocals (1973- 2008)
Scott "Top Ten" Kempner - rhythm guitars (1973-2008)
Andy Shernoff - bass (1973-1975, 1976-2008), keyboards/backing vocals (1973-2008)
Stu Boy King - drums (1974-1975; died 2018)
Ritchie Teeter - drums (1976-1980; died 2012)
Mark Mendoza - bass (1976-1977)
Mel Anderson - drums (1979)
Frank Funaro - drums (1995-1998)
J.P. Patterson - drums (1998-2008)

Discography

Go Girl Crazy (1975)
Manifest Destiny (1977)
Bloodbrothers (1978)
Fuck 'Em If They Can't Take a Joke (ROIR, 1981)
The Dictators Live, New York, New York (ROIR, 1998)
D.F.F.D. (2001)
Viva Dictators (2005)
Every Day Is Saturday (2007)

Who Will Save Rock and Roll?
The Dictators Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I fall to my knees
and look to the sky
Who will save rock and roll?

Murray The K is not here today
so who will save rock and roll?

Every protest singer

every guitar slinger
every punk rock sinner sells his soul

My generation is not the salvation
so who will save rock and roll

I saw The Stooges, covered with bruises
who will save rock and roll?

every mercenary
three chord revolutionaries
choose your side and choose it well

June 1st, 67 something died and went to heaven
I wish Sgt Pepper
never taught the band to play

my generation
is not the salvation
so who will save,
who will save

tell me who will save
rock and...... roll

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Dictators' song "Who Will Save Rock and Roll?" express a feeling of despair and uncertainty about the future of this music genre. The singer falls to his knees and looks to the sky, asking who will save rock and roll, as the previous saviors like Murray The K, protest singers, guitar slingers, punk rock sinners, or even his own generation, have failed to do so. The reference to The Stooges, covered with bruises, suggests that rock and roll is not only suffering from lack of support but also under attack from those who don't understand or appreciate it.

The lyrics also suggest that the problem is not only external but also internal. The mercenary and three chord revolutionaries are criticized for selling out and not holding true to the spirit of rock and roll. Even The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper, often considered a classic rock album, is blamed for teaching the band to play and thus contributing to the homogenization and commercialization of rock and roll.

Line by Line Meaning

I fall to my knees and look to the sky Who will save rock and roll?
The singer feels hopeless and turns to a higher power for salvation. They question who will come to the rescue of rock and roll.

Murray The K is not here today so who will save rock and roll?
The singer mentions how Murray The K, a radio DJ known for promoting rock and roll, is no longer around to continue saving the genre. They ask who will take on this responsibility now.

Every protest singer every guitar slinger every punk rock sinner sells his soul
The singer observes how many musicians compromise their values or authenticity in order to gain popularity or success.

My generation is not the salvation so who will save rock and roll
The artist acknowledges that their own generation cannot be relied on to save rock and roll. They repeat the question of who will do it instead.

I saw The Stooges, covered with bruises who will save rock and roll?
The artist references The Stooges, a band known for their raw and aggressive sound, seemingly beaten down by the music industry. They again question who can restore, or save, rock and roll.

every mercenary three chord revolutionaries choose your side and choose it well
The singer comments on the divided nature of the music industry, with some artists being true to their craft and others selling out for personal gain. They caution listeners to be mindful of which side they support.

June 1st, 67 something died and went to heaven I wish Sgt Pepper never taught the band to play
The singer mourns the loss of the original spirit and energy of rock and roll, pinpointing the release of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album as the beginning of the genre's decline.

my generation is not the salvation so who will save, who will save tell me who will save rock and...... roll
The artist repeats their previous statements, emphasizing that their generation is not going to be the ones to save rock and roll. They continue to urge for an answer to their question of who will take up this responsibility.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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