YOU ARE HERE: zharth.net / Zharth's Music Log / Week 105 (Still Rockin', Still Rollin')
(Originally finalized on November 1, 2024)
Preface: Since we're no longer limited to a tight roster of only so many themes, the first thing I wanna do is go ahead and spend another week exploring songs that mention "rock 'n' roll". We're free to do anything we want now - the chains are off!
Monday: AC/DC - It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) [T.N.T., 1975]
Comments: Now featured on all three themes dedicated to songs about rock and/or roll (and the one about music in general), you'll know I wasn't kidding when I said that AC/DC had a lot of songs extolling the merits of rock music. Opening the band's second Australian album - and first international album, High Voltage - this song was also used to great effect in the epilogue to the music comedy School of Rock starring Jack Black and a cast of some very talented children.
Tuesday: Bob Seger - Rock And Roll Never Forgets [Night Moves, 1976]
Comments: Apart from the high volume of choices overall, having two solid songs about rock 'n' roll from Bob Seger alone (ignoring the softer, mid-80s ballad Like A Rock, which you'll notice didn't make the cut, despite its proven commercial value) was a strong motivator to do this theme twice. And though Old Time Rock And Roll is probably more popular, I actually like this one better, from his previous album released two years earlier.
Wednesday: Rick Derringer - Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo [All American Boy, 1973]
Comments: With a little bit of funk, and a whole lot of rock 'n' roll energy, this song wouldn't sound out of place played alongside Frankenstein or Funk #49. It's not surprising that Edgar Winter (whose band Rick Derringer had previously been in) and Joe Walsh both were in the studio when this album was recorded. What is surprising is that, after this opening track to his solo debut, Derringer wouldn't have much more mainstream success - except as a session player.
Thursday: Johnny Winter - Rock & Roll [Still Alive & Well, 1973]
Comments: As big a fan of Johnny Winter as I am, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I don't own all of his albums - not even the entirety of his classic material from the '70s. I should get on that, but I don't buy CDs as frequently as I used to. Regardless, this is a killer track from a solid album - one that includes two Rolling Stones covers, Winter's version of Rock Me Baby, and accompaniment from frequent sidekick Rick Derringer, who wrote the song the album is named after.
Friday: Boston - Rock & Roll Band [Boston, 1976]
Comments: Short but sweet, here's another excellent selection from Boston's damn-near-flawless debut album. Not quite as iconic as Led Zeppelin's Rock And Roll, but not too far off the mark, either. I had actually considered this song for the last place in the previous iteration of this theme, but decided to hold onto it, because I wanted to be sure there were still some choice cuts left for the inevitable sequel. (Yes, despite what I said, I knew it was inevitable even back then).
Saturday: The Moody Blues - I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) [Seventh Sojourn, 1972]
Comments: Speaking of "rock and roll bands", here's The Moody Blues with I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band). I don't know if it's due to their synth-heavy sound, or the pop hits they scored in the '80s, but it's somewhat surprising that The Moody Blues were already on their seventh album (not including their debut with a different lineup) by 1972. This was also the last album they would release before taking a hiatus until 1978.
Sunday: Argent - God Gave Rock And Roll To You [In Deep, 1973]
Comments: Helmed by The Zombies' former keyboard player Rod Argent - who shares his name with the term used in heraldry for silver - this is one of Argent's biggest hits (and was covered by KISS for the soundtrack to Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey). Despite its 1973 release date, it sounds like it could be a cheesy '80s ballad - and yet, I still like it. Though I'm not religious, I appreciate the sentiment expressed in this song.
Honorable Mention: Rainbow - If You Don't Like Rock 'n' Roll [Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, 1975]
Comments: Although Ronnie James Dio is better known for his work as a heavy metal singer, seasoned fans will know that he has a long pedigree of singing rock and roll. Even paired with Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, this side of him still finds an outlet. "If you don't like rock 'n' roll, well it's too late now."
And now I'm closing the book on "rock 'n' roll" songs - for now. There are just so many, I might be convinced to do one more week sometime, even though the longer this goes on, the more we get in to diminishing returns. But stay tuned!