I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
New York, New York, is everything they say
And no place that I'd rather be
Where else can you do a half a million things
All at a quarter to three
When they play their music, ooh that modern music
They like it with a lot of style
But it's still that same old back beat rhythm
That really, really drives 'em wild
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
And from what I've seen I believe 'em
Now the old boy may be barely breathing
But the heart of rock and roll, heart of rock and roll is still beating
LA, Hollywood, and the Sunset Strip
Is something everyone should see
Neon lights and the pretty, pretty girls
All dressed so scantily
When they play their music
That hard rock music
They like it with a lot of flash
But it's still that same old back beat rhythm
That really, really kicks 'em in the
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
And from what I've seen I believe 'em
Now the old boy may be barely breathing
But the heart of rock and roll, heart of rock and roll is still beating
Johnny, ow
DC, San Antone and the Liberty Town, Boston and Baton Rouge
Tulsa, Austin, Oklahoma City, Seattle, San Francisco, too
Everywhere there's music, real live music, bands with a million styles
But it's still that some old rock and roll music
That really, really drives 'em wild
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
And from what I've seen I believe 'em
Now the old boy may be barely breathing
But the heart of rock and roll, heart of rock and roll is still beating, yeah
In Cleveland
Detroit
Uh, heart of rock and roll
And no place that I'd rather be
Where else can you do a half a million things
All at a quarter to three
When they play their music, ooh that modern music
They like it with a lot of style
But it's still that same old back beat rhythm
That really, really drives 'em wild
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
And from what I've seen I believe 'em
Now the old boy may be barely breathing
But the heart of rock and roll, heart of rock and roll is still beating
LA, Hollywood, and the Sunset Strip
Is something everyone should see
Neon lights and the pretty, pretty girls
All dressed so scantily
When they play their music
That hard rock music
They like it with a lot of flash
But it's still that same old back beat rhythm
That really, really kicks 'em in the
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
And from what I've seen I believe 'em
Now the old boy may be barely breathing
But the heart of rock and roll, heart of rock and roll is still beating
Johnny, ow
DC, San Antone and the Liberty Town, Boston and Baton Rouge
Tulsa, Austin, Oklahoma City, Seattle, San Francisco, too
Everywhere there's music, real live music, bands with a million styles
But it's still that some old rock and roll music
That really, really drives 'em wild
They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating
And from what I've seen I believe 'em
Now the old boy may be barely breathing
But the heart of rock and roll, heart of rock and roll is still beating, yeah
In Cleveland
Detroit
Uh, heart of rock and roll
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I've always wondered if this song was about how the "heart of rock and roll" could be anywhere as long as it's heartfelt.
To the best of my memory, on Behind The Music, Huey Lewis said that while they were in a slump one of the band members suggested they go to Cleveland to get their groove back because "The heart of rock and roll is in Cleveland."
I guess this song came about because they found the heart of rock and roll in Cleveland, and (take it from a Pittsburgher) if you find the heart of rock and roll in Cleveland, you can find it everywhere.
To the best of my knowledge, this song is about Huey Lewis' obsession with the major chain restaurant of the 80's, "The Heart of Rock n Roll". At one point it was considered for a commercial for the restaurant, but they company thought the song was too gay.
This is one my most hated songs. Limp, limp, limp. Why the hell did they put a saxophone where a guitar is obviously called for? A total letdown. No wonder it's considered one of the worst pop songs ever.
Man I was born in 1980 so this song has been around as long as I can remember and I JUST found out two days ago that he's saying "The heart of rock and roll is still beating" I always thought he was saying "The heart of rock and roll is the beat". Anyway, a buddy of mine was telling me his friend was on a plane and saw Huey Lewis and approached him to ask him if he was indeed Lewis. Lewis smiled, streigtend his tie and said "why yes I am" to which the friend replied "Damn, you look like hell!" Of Course Huey got all butt-hurt, looked down and said "Get the hell out of here"
i thought it said "the heart of rock and roll is the beat" too. hm. ihe message and stuff. you knowww.
This song always makes me think of the TALKMASTER, Neal Boortz, because he uses it as the theme song to his morning show!
I could say this song is the cheesiest ever, but I really don't think that's fair. It doesn't care what you think, it creates its own universe and succeeds as a unique work of art.