Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer by AC/DC Lyrics Meaning – Striking Chords of Defiance and Dreams
Lyrics
When my momma was havin’ me
By the time I was half alive
I knew what I was gonna be
But I left school and grew my hair
They didn’t understand
They wanted me to be respected as
A doctor or a lawyer man
(But I had other plans)
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll star
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll
A rock ‘n’ roll star
Well I worked real hard and bought myself
A rock ‘n’ roll guitar
I gotta be on top some day
I want to be a star
I can see my name in lights
And I can see the queue
I got the devil in my blood
Tellin’ me what to do
(And I’m all ears)
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll star
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll
A rock ‘n’ roll star
(I hear it pays well)
Well you can stick your nine to five livin’
And your collar and your tie
And stick your moral standards
‘Cause it’s all a dirty lie
You can stick your golden handshake
And you can stick your silly rules
And all the other shit
That they teach to kids in school
(‘Cause I ain’t no fool)
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll star
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll
A rock ‘n’ roll star
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll star
Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer
I’m gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll
A rock ‘n’ roll star
Yes I are
Blasting through the speakers with irrepressible energy, AC/DC’s ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer’ is more than just a high-voltage track—it’s an anthem of aspiration and defiance. From its gritty guitar riffs to its relentless drive, the song encapsulates the essence of rock rebellion and the pursuit of stardom.
As we peel back the layers of this raucous tune, we are confronted with the universal themes of identity, ambition, and the quest for personal freedom. At its core, ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer’ is a narrative that resonates with anyone who’s ever dared to dream beyond societal expectations and the conventional nine-to-five life.
Electric Dreams vs. Static Realities
AC/DC’s narrative begins at the intersection of ordinary life and extraordinary dreams. The protagonist is born into a world of nine-to-five workdays, a path well-trodden by his parents. Yet, even ‘by the time [he] was half alive,’ there’s a spark that distinguishes him—rock ‘n’ roll not just a potential career, but a calling.
In rebelling against the expectations to settle into the life of ‘a doctor or a lawyer man,’ the song’s hero sees rock ‘n’ roll as the ultimate salvation. It represents the power to transcend mundane realities, choosing electric guitars over stethoscopes and drum beats over legal briefs. This juxtaposition is a backdrop to many a rock narrative, but AC/DC imbues it with raw sincerity.
A Battle Cry Against Conformity
With a sneer and a snarl, ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer’ serves as a battle cry against conformity. Choosing to ‘stick your moral standards,’ the song’s lyrics toss traditional values aside, depicting them as ‘a dirty lie.’ This confrontation with societal norms speaks to the band’s—and the genre’s—defiant heart.
Every chord backs up the claim that the pursuit of rock stardom is an act of devotion, a commitment to a self-determined life over the well-worn paths of security and predictability. In this, AC/DC not only sketches a portrait of the artist as a young man but also of every young person aching to break free from expectations.
The Struggle for Stardom and Its Price
Unspoken in the lyrics yet underscored in the swagger of the song, is the struggle that accompanies the pursuit of stardom. ‘Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll singer,’ is repeated with a mix of assertion and aspiration—a recognition of the trials ahead but also an unyielding declaration of intent.
The path to becoming ‘a rock ‘n’ roll star’ is lined with determination and the acknowledgment of the devils that fuel one’s ambition. Acknowledging that ‘devil in my blood,’ suggests an awareness of the compact made with the grittier side of the music industry, a necessary trade on the way to the limelight.
Unravelling the Hidden Rebellion Within the Lyrics
Beneath the surface bravado, there is a nuanced rebellion, a hidden meaning in ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Singer.’ It’s not just a dismissal of conformity, but a critique of the hollowness that the protagonist perceives in the structured life. It’s a rejection of the false security offered by ‘the golden handshake’ and ‘the silly rules’ of an establishment that fails to ignite passion.
The song’s hidden meaning can also be interpreted as a commentary on the individual’s struggle to claim authenticity in a world that often values façade over substance. It’s a poignant reminder of the cost of true freedom—the relentless pursuit of a dream, the courage to be misunderstood, and the resolve to live life on one’s own terms.
Memorable Lines That Epitomize Rock Essence
‘Cause it’s all a dirty lie,’ is easily one of the song’s most memorable lines, cutting to the core of rock ‘n’ roll’s rebellious spirit. These words capture the raw vitality and the truth-telling nature of the genre, rejecting pretense in favor of what’s real—even when it’s gritty and unpolished.
‘Gonna be a rock ‘n’ roll star’ echoes as a mantra throughout the song—simple, yet profound. It summarizes the dream that drives countless musicians, the single-minded ambition that fuels sleepless nights and endless hours of practice. It’s both the journey and the destination, a line that encapsulates the essence of what it means to live and die by the strings of a guitar.
