Rock & Roll
The Velvet Underground Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jenny said when she was just five years old
There was nothing happening at all
Every time she puts on a radio
There was a nothin' goin' down at all, not at all
Then one fine mornin' she puts on a New York station
You know, she couldn't believe what she heard at all
She started shakin' to that fine fine music
You know her life was saved by rock 'n' roll

Despite all the amputations
You know you could just go out
And dance to a rock 'n' roll station

It was alright (it was alright)
Hey baby, you know it was alright (it was alright)

Jenny said
When she was just about five years old
You know why parents gonna be the death of us all
Two TV sets and two Cadillac cars
Well you know, it ain't gonna help me at all, not just a tiny bit
Then one fine mornin' she turns on a New York station
She doesn't believe what she hears at all
Ooh, she started dancin' to that fine fine music
You know her life is saved by rock 'n' roll, yeah rock 'n' roll

Despite all the computations
You could just dance
To that rock 'n' roll station

And baby it was alright (it was alright)
Hey it was alright (it was alright)
Hey here she comes now!
Jump! jump!

Jenny said when she was just about five years old
Hey, you know, there was nothing happening at all, not at all
Every time I put on the radio
You know there's nothin' goin' down at all, not at all
Then one fine mornin' she hears a New York station
She just didn't believe what she heard at all, hey, not at all
She started dancin' to that fine fine music
You know her life was saved by rock 'n' roll, yes rock 'n' roll

Despite all the computation
You know you could just dance
To a rock 'n' roll station

All right
All right
And it was alright
Well, listen to me now
And it was alright
Come on, man, listen
It was alright
It was alright
And it was alright
Alright!
It's alright
Alright!
Yeah, it's alright now
Alright!
Yeah, it's alright now
Alright!
It is all alright
Alright!
Yeah, alright now
Alright!
And it's alright right now
Alright!
And it's alright now
Alright!
Oh baby
Alright!
Oh baby
Alright!
Oh baby
Alright!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Alright!
Now it's alright now
Alright!
Ooh, it's alright now
Alright!
Oh, alright
Alright!




Alright now
Alright!

Overall Meaning

In "Rock & Roll," The Velvet Underground tells the story of a girl named Jenny and how she found salvation through rock and roll music. Jenny, who is five years old, expresses her disappointment with the music played on the radio. However, one day she hears a New York radio station that showcases rock and roll, and she is immediately hooked. The upbeat music is what compels her to dance and move, and it is what saves her life. The lyrics emphasize how the excitement and energy of rock and roll can have a transformative effect.


The song also touches on societal issues. Jenny's parents have two TVs and two Cadillac cars, but it doesn't seem to bring any happiness or fulfillment to their lives. The implication is that people are chasing material possessions, and it's not bringing them happiness. But rock and roll music can fill that void and bring happiness and salvation.


Overall, the lyrics indicate how rock and roll music is a transformative force that can impact people's lives positively. It saves Jenny from a life of boredom and gives her joy and energy. The song also subtly critiques the materialism and lack of joy in society.


Line by Line Meaning

Jenny said when she was just five years old
Jenny reminisces about her childhood


There was nothing happening at all
Jenny found life to be uneventful and stagnant


Every time she puts on a radio
Jenny tries to find something interesting through the radio


There was a nothin' goin' down at all, not at all
Jenny couldn't find anything exciting through the radio


Then one fine mornin' she puts on a New York station
Jenny discovers a New York radio station


You know, she couldn't believe what she heard at all
Jenny is pleasantly surprised by the music she hears


She started shakin' to that fine fine music
Jenny enjoys the music so much that she starts dancing


You know her life was saved by rock 'n' roll
Jenny feels that rock 'n' roll saved her from a life of boredom


Despite all the amputations
Despite any hardships or setbacks


You know you could just go out
You can go out and enjoy yourself


And dance to a rock 'n' roll station
By dancing to rock 'n' roll music, you can forget about your troubles


It was alright (it was alright)
Everything was okay


Hey baby, you know it was alright (it was alright)
Jenny reassures herself that everything will be okay


You know why parents gonna be the death of us all
Jenny criticizes the materialistic and conservative values of her parents' generation


Two TV sets and two Cadillac cars
Jenny thinks her parents are too focused on wealth and possessions


Well you know, it ain't gonna help me at all, not just a tiny bit
Jenny doesn't think that material possessions will bring her happiness


Then one fine mornin' she turns on a New York station
Jenny discovers the same New York radio station again


She doesn't believe what she hears at all
Jenny feels that the music is too good to be true


Ooh, she started dancin' to that fine fine music
Jenny feels the same excitement and joy as before


Despite all the computation
Despite any difficulties or challenges


You know you could just dance
Dancing to music can lift your spirits


To a rock 'n' roll station
Rock 'n' roll music in particular can make you forget your problems


All right
Okay


Hey here she comes now!
Jenny is feeling energized and ready to dance


Jump! jump!
Jenny is encouraging others around her to join her in dancing


Yeah rock 'n' roll
Rock 'n' roll music is especially important to Jenny


It is all alright
Everything is just fine


And it's alright right now
Jenny is currently feeling happy and content


Oh baby
Jenny is feeling good and excited


Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Jenny is expressing joy and enthusiasm


Now it's alright now
Jenny feels good in this moment


Ooh, it's alright now
Jenny is excited and enjoying herself


Oh, alright
Okay




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lou Reed

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions