Whatever Happened To Rock And Roll?


What do we do when we wanna dance? What do we do when we wanna get down?

The radio is playing some sick song- the only kind of song there is around

Wondrous art is everywhere- space synthesizers tell me so

Cute lyrics crowd the airways up. But what they say no one cares or knows

 

Whatever happened to rock and roll?

Whatever happened to life?

Whatever happened to screaming guitars?

Whatever happened to us?

 

Is it me, or is the world? The question taunts my mind.

My pulse rate says I aint dead yet, so the music business must be dying

Now, I know it aint the kids today; most of them are looking for what’s real

It aint nobody I call my friend, ‘cause they all know how to feel

 

Whatever happened to rock and roll?

I need it to survive

Whatever happened to gut feeling?

Whatever happened to us?

 

(bridge spoken)

Y’know I’ve been listening to my radio, trying to find some good music

But there aint no water in the desert, except for a few people like:

Ozzy Osbourne, George Thorogood, AC/DC, Twisted Sister

And a few others who won’t sell out.

So c’mon all you people out there, have pity on a dying breed

Support your local headbanger!

 

(lead guitar)

 

The promise seemed so strong at first, like a rocket that was on the rise

It’s hard to believe it’s finally come to this- they’re trying to cut rock and roll down to size

The DJ keeps on bragging about the great new stuff he’s got to play

But I know he’s only playing it safe. The wimps won’t have it any other way

 

Whatever happened to rock and roll that used to be so brave?

Whatever happened to the Great Golden Rush?

Whatever happened to us? Whatever happened to us? Whatever happened to us?

 

Copyright 1984 George Brian Ferrell

 

Notes: Written as a reaction to the synthesizer-driven pop rock of the ’80’s and how I felt it was undermining ‘real’ rock. Recorded at Avalon Studios in Plymouth, PA. Engineer: Ralph DeLong. Drums: Al Strish, Bass guitar: Steve Brinzo, Synthesizer: Ralph DeLong. Lead and rhythm guitars and vocals: Me.