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

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?