Depending on which version you have, US or UK, determined the placement of Still Love Rock 'n' Roll which could be last or first on the CD. At first, this was considered as a bonus track. In either the UK or UK release, this song is a nod to early rock 'n' roll and music that inspired Hunter in the first place; it is a mid-tempo rocker wherein Chuck Berry meets Little Richard and could be a great opening for a live set. Hunter tips his hat as a tribute to the early greats of rock 'n' roll when the style was invented. It gave his life meaning and he respects their achievements.
Ian describes the environment of the 1950s which was comparatively bland, especially in the UK, and then, rock! This is certainly autobiographical
It's the only way - I know how to say what's on my mindTommy Steele is regarded as Britain's first teen idol and rock 'n' roll star and here he is depicted singing a Guy Mitchell song who was well-known in the 1950s as an American pop star. Lubbock is mentioned as a reference to Buddy Holly, Memphis as home to the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, and Macon as a note about Little Richard. Rock 'n' roll pioneers Billy Fury, Little Richard, Tommy Steele, and Gene Vincent played the Kettering Granada in England.
You have to love the finishing thought about how the 1950s are better than the contemporary world:
I get up every morning - I put the coffee on the stove
The computer's gone - the turntable's on
I can't believe it's 2001 - God, I must be knockin' on
But I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock 'n' roll.
As an opening track Still Love Rock 'n' Roll is a nod to the music that inspired Ian in the first place, a great mid-tempo rocker, Chuck Berry meets Little Richard covering all points in between but with a fresh perspective. I can see this being in the live set for years to come.
Ringo Starr requested Irene Wilde instead of this song although he got the name wrong but Ian switched to accommodate the request when first played as part of his 2001 All Starr Tour.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, The DoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Still Love Rock n Roll
(Ian Hunter)
Way back in the 50's - you never said a wrong word
People were clean - people were mean
Children should be seen, but children should be not heard
You learned to keep your mouth shut - you did what you were told
But then one day the radio played the sound that we'd all been waiting for
The whole of our lives 'n'
I still love Rock 'n' Roll - I play it every day
Hummin' along, singin' the song
It's the only way - I know how to say what's on my mind
I get up in the morning - put the kettle on the stove
Tommy Steele croons a Guy Mitchell tune
I never felt more like singin' the blues - but if I had to choose
You know I still love rock 'n' roll
I still love rock 'n' roll (let me hear ya)
I never been to Lubbock, Texas or Memphis, Tennessee
I never washed dishes in Macon, Georgia
I wasn't half as good and I wasn't half as pretty as you
But I still got the feelings - embedded in my soul
A rebel armada - Kettering, Granada
It ain't my fault that I never grew up - I got bitten by your bug
And I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock
I know what you're thinkin' - it's a little bit strange to you
I know what you're thinkin' - 'cos I'm thinkin' the same way too
But oh those two little four letter words - they're all you need to know
'cos when it all comes down to it - I don't like the sound of it
When you mess around with it - I'm still in it for the thrill of it
I know you tried to kill it but
I still love rock 'n' roll - I play it every day
Hummin' along - singin' the songs
It's the only way I know how to say what's on my mind
I get up every morning - I put the coffee on the stove
The computer's gone - the turntable's on
I can't believe it's 2001 - God, I must be knockin' on
But I still love rock 'n' roll, I still love rock 'n' roll.
| Still Love Rock 'n' Roll | 4:34 | Originally issued on Rant; also on the compilation Old Records Never Die. |
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