Rock Soldiers

Album: Frehley's Comet (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Frehley wrote this after surviving a car crash in 1983 that almost killed him. The song deals with his drinking addiction and the invincible feeling many rock stars get when they become famous. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Cam - Cambridge, Canada
  • Ace Frehley wrote this with Chip Taylor. Among the other hits Chip Taylor has penned are "Wild Thing" and "Angel Of The Morning." Frehley explained to American Songwriter Magazine March/April 1988 how their collaboration worked: "Chip wrote most of the lyrics and I wrote most of the music because I've known Chip for years and he was aware of the incident that went down in the summer of '83 when I had the car accident and he thought it would be a great idea to write a song around it."
  • When asked in the same interview if he found it difficult to sing a tune in concert that deals with such a personal, traumatic experience, Frehley replied: "The message of the song is an anti-drug song, about drinking and driving. So I have no problem singing about it. I'm glad to sing about it because I'm trying to give a message with this song so I feel really good about performing it."

Comments: 3

  • Jeff from Austin, TxI wonder how drunk Ace was when he wrote this song?
  • Cam from Cambridge, CanadaRock soldiers come and rock soldiers go
  • Lester from New York City, NyA Rock & Roll anthem
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.