R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.

John Mellencamp

About R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.

"R. O. C. K. in the U. S. A.", subtitled "A Salute to 60's Rock", is a rock song written and performed by John Mellencamp. It was the third single from his 1985 album Scarecrow and a top-ten hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Top Rock Tracks charts.


Year:
1985
2:54
1,855 
#2

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They come from the cities
And they come from the smaller towns
Beat up cars with guitars and drummers
Goin crack boom bam

R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A., Yeah, Yeah!
Rockin' in the U.S.A.

Said goodbye to their families
Said goodbye to their friends
With pipe dreams in their heads
And very little money in their hands
Some are black and some are white
Ain't to proud to sleep on the floor tonight
With the blind faith of Jesus you know that they just might, be
Rockin' in the U.S.A.
Hey!

Voices from nowhere
And voices from the larger towns
Filled our head full of dreams
Turned the world upside down

There was Frankie Lyman-Bobby Fuller-Mitch Ryder
(They were Rockin')
Jackie Wilson-Shangra-las-Young Rascals
(They were Rockin')
Spotlight on Martha Reeves
Let's don't forget James Brown
Rockin' in the U.S.A.
Rockin' in the U.S.A.
Hey!

R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A., Yeah, Yeah!
Rockin' in the U.S.A.

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John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951) is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock which emphasizes traditional instrumentation. He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven, and has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one. His latest album, No Better Than This, was released on August 17, 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. more »

4 fans

Written by: JOHN MELLENCAMP

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Production Information
"R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A." was one of the leading singles off Mellencamp's eighth studio album, Scarecrow, released in 1985.
Chart Performance
The song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1986, becoming one of John Mellencamp’s biggest hit singles.
Song Origin
The song's title, "R.O.C.K. In the U.S.A.", is an acronym for "Rock on the Clock in the USA".
Inspirations
The tune is a tribute to American rock music from the 1960s, particularly focusing on Soul music and highlighting several significant artists in the lyrics.
Full Title
The full title of the song is “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. (A Salute to '60s Rock)”, highlighting its tribute nature.
Genre
The song is classified under the Heartland Rock genre, which keenly reflects American values and is typically infused with country and folk elements.
Backing Vocals
Three distinguished African American female singers: Sarah Brown, Pat Peterson, and Crystal Taliefero, contributed with their voices in the backups for the song, adding a southern soul flavor to it.
Live Performances
"R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." quickly became a staple during Mellencamp's live performances and is still a fan favorite in his live set lists.
Cultural Impact
The song is often played as a patriotic anthem during Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks shows across the United States.
Legacy
In 2018, the song was performed by American Idol winner Maddie Poppe during the season finale, further cementing its legacy in American pop culture.

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