Rock It

Album: The Game (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • When it comes to "rock" songs, Queen is best known for "We Will Rock You," but three yeas later they released this lesser-known tribute to the pleasures of rock and roll. It's fairly straightforward, inviting a girl to come along for a rockin' ride.
  • Queen drummer Roger Taylor wrote this and wanted to sing it, but Brian May and the producer Reinhold Mack suggested Freddie Mercury should. They eventually recorded both versions, Brian voted for Freddie's, John Deacon voted for Roger's. Finally they decided to make a compromise and leave Freddie singing the intro and Roger taking the lead vocals from then on. Mercury sang it on stage.
  • Synthesizers were played by the producer Reinhold Mack. Freddie Mercury played organ in the song. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sebas - Tokyo, Japan, for above 2
  • The line, "I said Mama, I ain't crazy" is likely a reference to the 1972 Slade hit "Mama Weer All Crazee Now."

Comments: 4

  • Adam from Boyce, VaThis song is a fun song and really captures the time period well for what the sound was like then. However the greatest thing about this song is Freddie's intro. I like Roger but I considered him a rather weak vocalist. Of course anyone compared to Freddie is going to suffer from comparison but to this day I usually just listen to the intro and go onto the next track.
  • Anna from Ann Arbor, MiYou two are both right, Roger is adorable!
    But yeah, I love this song,
    it's so fun!
  • Catherine from Wooster, OhHa, you're right, Roger is adorable! That's my favorite part of that song!
  • Freddie from Orlando, FlI love roggies little "ahh"s and "Oooh"s when the rock kicks in after Freds intro. Theyre so cute and goochie goo-able.
    I wuv you Roger. xooxoxoxxoxoxo
    (im not really Freddie, Im a chick.)
    (if you, yuknow, happen to read this)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."