Todd Rundgren is an American singer-songwriter and producer who has perform… Read Full Bio ↴Todd Rundgren is an American singer-songwriter and producer who has performed a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as founder of the band Utopia. Starting in the 1960s with the psychedelic band Nazz in Philadelphia, his solo career started out successfully with such hits as "I Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me" (a reworked Nazz tune). With his 1972 release 'Something/Anything?' seen as a magnum opus due to its mix of power pop, rock n roll, and more. Utopia (or Todd Rundgren's Utopia) concentrated on eccentric progressive epics. His acclaimed production effort started early, with work for Sparks and the New York Dolls, and continued with Meat Loaf, XTC, The Psychedelic Furs, and many others. Continuing to release solo albums over the years, he's created many other hits, the novelty tune "Bang the Drum All Day" in particular seeming timeless.

Rundgren is well known among his fans as being an electronic music revolutionary. His skilled production techniques, matched by his belief that he has ability to play just about any instrument at a mastery level, has allowed him to release some of the most honest and personal music of his time. Many of his solo albums, including Something/Anything?]' were made completely by himself. That is, he played all the instruments, sang all the vocals, did all of the recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.

Website: http://www.tr-i.com/

Core discography:

With Nazz:
1968 - Nazz
1969 - Nazz Nazz
1970 - Nazz III

Solo:
1970 - Runt
1971 - Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren
1972 - Something/Anything?
1973 - A Wizard, a True Star
1974 - Todd
1975 - Initiation
1976 - Faithful
1978 - Hermit of Mink Hollow
1978 - Back to the Bars (live)
1981 - Healing
1983 - The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
1985 - A Cappella
1989 - Nearly Human
1991 - 2nd Wind
1993 - No World Order
1995 - The Individualist
1997 - With a Twist
1998 - Up Against It
2000 - One Long Year
2003 - Can't Stop Running (live box set)
2004 - Liars
2008 - Arena
2011 - Todd Rundgren's Johnson
2011 - (re)Production
2013 - State
2015 - Global
2015 - Runddans (collaboration with Emil Nikolaisen and Hans-Peter Lindstrøm)
2017 - White Knight

With Utopia:
1974 - Todd Rundgren's Utopia
1975 - Another Live
1976 (released 2001) - Disco Jets
1977 - Ra
1977 - Oops! Wrong Planet
1980 - Adventures in Utopia
1980 - Deface the Music
1982 - Swing to the Right
1982 - Utopia
1984 - Oblivion
1985 - P.O.V.
2003 - Last of the New Wave Riders (live box set)

Rock and Roll Pussy
Todd Rundgren Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Beat it, beat it, beat your guitar
Smash it, smash it, 'til it sees stars
Rip it, rip it, rip it to shreds
Throw down your axe and then jump into bed
Get up, get up, get up and see
Revolution on the tv
Will you, will you, get your nails dirty
Or are you only just a rock and roll pussy

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Todd Rundgren's song, "Rock & Roll Pussy," seem to be a critique of the rock and roll lifestyle and persona. The repetition of phrases like "beat it, smash it, rip it" suggests a wild and destructive behavior often associated with rock stars. However, the line "throw down your axe and then jump into bed" hints at a more personal, perhaps even vulnerable side to these performers. The following verse asks whether the listener is willing to "get [their] nails dirty," implying that the rock and roll lifestyle involves some level of intensity and commitment.

The line "revolution on the tv" seems to refer to the political and social upheaval happening in the late '60s and early '70s, when the song was released. It could also suggest that the revolution for change is being mediated through the TV screen, rather than in real life. The final line, "or are you only just a rock and roll pussy," suggests that there are those who are truly committed to the cause and those who are just playing a role.

Overall, Todd Rundgren seems to be poking fun at the ideals and assumptions of rock and roll culture, while also questioning the authenticity of those who claim to be part of it.

Line by Line Meaning

Beat it, beat it, beat your guitar
Play your guitar with intensity and passion

Smash it, smash it, 'til it sees stars
Push the limits of your instrument and break through boundaries

Rip it, rip it, rip it to shreds
Play with a reckless abandon and disregard for conventional rules

Throw down your axe and then jump into bed
After a passionate performance, rest and recharge for the next one

Get up, get up, get up and see
Wake up and open your eyes to the world around you

Revolution on the tv
The world is in a state of upheaval and change

Will you, will you, get your nails dirty
Are you willing to take risks and get involved in the action?

Or are you only just a rock and roll pussy
Will you back down and play it safe, or will you live up to the rock and roll spirit of rebellion and freedom?

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