The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
I've got no kick against modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
And lose the beauty of the melody
Until they sound just like a symphony
That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
I took my loved one over across the tracks
And she can turn her mind to wailin' sax
I must admit they have a rocking band
Man, they were blowing like a hurricane
That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Way down South they had a jubilee
Them Georgia folks they had a jamboree
They're drinking home brew from a wooden cup
The folks are dancing, they got all shook up
And started playing that that rock and roll music
Any old time you use it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Don't care to hear them play a tango
And in the mood they take a mambo
It's way too early for a congo
So keep a-rocking that piano
That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old time you use it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Oh, they got rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
I've got no kick against modern jazz
Unless they try to play it too darn fast
And lose the beauty of the melody
Until they sound just like a symphony
That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
It's gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
I took my loved one over across the tracks
And she can turn her mind to wailin' sax
I must admit they have a rocking band
Man, they were blowing like a hurricane
That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old way you choose it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Way down South they had a jubilee
Them Georgia folks they had a jamboree
They're drinking home brew from a wooden cup
The folks are dancing, they got all shook up
And started playing that that rock and roll music
Any old time you use it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
gotta be rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Don't care to hear them play a tango
And in the mood they take a mambo
It's way too early for a congo
So keep a-rocking that piano
That's why I go for that that rock and roll music
Any old time you use it
It's got a back beat, you can't lose it
Any old time you use it
Oh, they got rock and roll music
If you wanna dance with me
If you wanna dance with me
Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Rock & Roll Music Lyrics as written by Chuck Berry
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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ah such a great song. so much engery. I loved when they played this song live at shea in 66 and john got a little crazy and started playing the song with his elbow.