Rock Out
Triumph Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The ghosts of Woodstock still haunt the next of kin
But the screams and shouts have turned to whispers on the wind
The time has come to face the music again
Back 'em up against the wall and bring the hammer down
Tell 'em that was then, my friend, but this is here and now

Rock Out, Roll On
Rock out we've waited so long
Rock Out, Roll On we keep holding on
We've waited so long we've got to be strong
We'll just keep holdin' on

Can't you hear the future knockin' down the door
Can't you hear the footsteps on the killing floor
Comes a time when you can't take anymore
When you've made up your mind, you step over the line
Then it's all just a question of time

Rock Out, Roll On
Rock out we've waited so long
Rock Out, Roll On we keep holding on
We've waited so long we've got to be strong
We'll just keep holdin' on

A chance will surely come your way
To say the things you need to say
To play like no one else has played
And blow them away

Is it any wonder we somehow survive
The strength and the power comes from somewhere inside
You learn to turn your cheek and swallow your pride
Coming to the wire, fighting fire with fire
Driven on by this burnin' desire

Rock Out, Roll On
Rock out we've waited so long
Rock Out, Roll On we keep holding on




We've waited so long we've got to be strong
We'll just keep holdin' on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Triumph's "Rock Out, Roll On" speak to the enduring power of rock music, and its ability to inspire and empower even in the face of adversity. The opening lines reference the legacy of the Woodstock festival, and suggest that the "ghosts" of that event are still present in the minds of subsequent generations. However, the subsequent lines suggest that the passion and energy of that festival have been muted over time, replaced by "whispers on the wind."


Nevertheless, the chorus of the song expresses a steadfast commitment to the power of rock music, and a resolve to "keep holding on" to that passion in the face of challenges. The second verse of the song reinforces this message, suggesting that the future is knocking at the door and that it's time to step up and be heard. The lines "Comes a time when you can't take anymore / When you've made up your mind, you step over the line" convey a sense of urgency and conviction, as if the singer is compelled to act by forces beyond their control.


In the final verse of the song, the lyrics take a more personal turn, addressing the indomitable human spirit that can overcome even the most difficult circumstances. The lines "Is it any wonder we somehow survive / The strength and the power comes from somewhere inside" suggest that the resilience of the human spirit is what allows us to persevere in the face of adversity. The song concludes with a final affirmation of the power of rock music, and a final call to action to "rock out" and "roll on."


Line by Line Meaning

The ghosts of Woodstock still haunt the next of kin
The impact of the Woodstock event is still felt by the next generation who can only imagine the thrill of the times.


But the screams and shouts have turned to whispers on the wind
The loud and audacious cries of previous music styles have been replaced by something less bombastic and more tempered.


The time has come to face the music again
A new era of music is about to emerge, and musicians have to accept a new paradigm of the industry.


Back 'em up against the wall and bring the hammer down
It's time to push boundaries, challenge the norm, and make something new.


Tell 'em that was then, my friend, but this is here and now
There is no looking back. We must focus on the present age and style of music.


Can't you hear the future knockin' down the door
The change is inevitable; the revolution will soon reach a critical point.


Can't you hear the footsteps on the killing floor
The changes can be brutal, but necessary for a new sound and style to emerge.


Comes a time when you can't take anymore
There comes moments when a juncture is reached and changes have to be made to continue progressing.


When you've made up your mind, you step over the line
Crossing the threshold requires bold determination and a willingness to leave old methodologies behind.


Then it's all just a question of time
As the change takes hold, the timeline remains unknown, whether the new sound catches on or not.


A chance will surely come your way
The music industry requires skills and good timing as well as talent.


To say the things you need to say
Artists must be bold and express their thoughts and emotions.


To play like no one else has played
To be different and challenge what is considered a standard and pave your way instead of following others' examples.


And blow them away
To be more impressive than the other musicians.


Is it any wonder we somehow survive
The music industry has proven to be a difficult one to survive in, but people never lack talent and resources to continue.


The strength and the power comes from somewhere inside
The perseverance, dedication, and commitment of the artist provide music with vitality and strength.


You learn to turn your cheek and swallow your pride
To succeed in the music industry, artists must have a little humility when such is needed.


Coming to the wire, fighting fire with fire
A figurative race to the end, where fierce competition is an opportunity to excel and shine.


Driven on by this burnin' desire
A compulsion in the artist's heart, a telltale sign that they are meant to make music, and it's their destiny.


Rock Out, Roll On
A call to action, to produce and make music.


Rock out we've waited so long
An evocation of music's legacy and the history that precedes the present age.


Rock Out, Roll On we keep holding on
A determination to continue, to move on and evolve while still honoring music's heritage.


We've waited so long we've got to be strong
It has taken a long time to reach this moment, and strength is required to maintain one's footing.


We'll just keep holdin' on
We'll keep pushing forward, refusing to give up, and remain dedicated to the art of music.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GIL MOORE, MIKE LEVINE, RIK EMMETT

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

George Dill


on Hold On

Wow I forgot all the hits they had

More Versions