Raised on Rock

Looking back on 1957 and some of the top ten songs of that year, I tell you it’s no wonder I love rock and roll.

Now I don’t know,

how Jerry Lee Lewis,

found out I’d come along in March,

in my year of 1957.

But it must have been that great moment,

when I let out my first shout

and Mom had her cry -

that Jerry yelled out, “Great Balls of Fire!”

Mom and dad raised me just fine,

of that I have no doubt,

but I had no music,

to make my cradle rock.

Somewhere quietly,

on radios I didn’t hear,

The Crickets were singing –

“That’ll Be The Day”

But there was no one,

who’d sing a rock ballad,

to a tiny baby -

Who knew I wanted to rock and roll?

Well, Jerry Lee Lewis certainly did.

he was shaking and rolling.

most everyone with his,

“Whole Lotta Shaking Going On”

Dad would listen to classical

and Mom preferred Latvian ballads.

Soon my ears picked up a sweet, sweet sound -

it was Elvis rockin’ away.

The year that I was born,

the song that made the girls,

shout for more,

was “Jailhouse Rock”

Now my dad was no square,

he and I did do the twist

and when Elvis showed up on the TV screen -

there was dad moving along to the beat.

However here I must say,

Mom and dad should’a listened,

to the names those singers were belting out -

there was Buddy Holly with “Peggy Sue” and Little Richard with “Lucille”

Of course all days can’t be fine days

and there comes time for gray skies,

but in the land of rock and roll,

my guardian angels were well prepared.

To be sure I wouldn’t get real sick,

to be sure I’d weather all my childhood diseases,

real well and with ease they made sure that in my year -

Huey ”Piano” Smith & The Clowns came out with “Rockin’ Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu”

Oh, yes rock and roll,

soon was no stranger to our home.

Educated myself on rock and roll songs

and did some mighty fine sing-a-long.

Oh, yes when I was born,

the rock and roll angels,

were well prepared,

they wanted to be sure I would be no square.

Without knowing what my schools days would be like.

Chuck Berry was singing “School Day”

and the Everly Brothers were preparing me for my first heartbreak,

with a song I later dearly enjoyed “Bye, Bye Love”

Got nothing against classic,

got nothing against other music styles,

sure do love to listen to country,

but I was raised on rock and roll.

Chuck Berry was belting out “Rock and Roll Music”

and my little feet were just toddling along,

even in my teens,

this song was just fine.

Now I don’t know,

about anyone else,

but I do know that a favorite rock and roll beat,

will certainly get me on my feet.

Now it’s really alright,

‘cause a baby raised on rock,

knows better how to jive and move

and really get into the groove.

Raised on rock ,

gives one the greatest feeling,

knowing that no matter what -

it’s gotta be that rock and roll music.