Rock Radio

Radio has been crucial to rock, at least in the last century. And some rock bands, aware of their dependence on radio, have written homages, and critiques. Here are three of my favorites, with the lyrics and music. (Listen to the songs, and see Youtube video, by clicking on the titles.) Why not add your faves here ?

Rush: Spirit of the Radio

Begin the day with a friendly voice,

A companion unobtrusive

Plays that song that's so elusive

And the magic music makes your morning mood.

Off on your way, hit the open road,

There is magic at your fingers

For the Spirit ever lingers,

Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.

Invisible airwaves crackle with life

Bright antenna bristle with the energy

Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength

Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

All this machinery making modern music

Can still be open-hearted.

Not so coldly charted, it's really just a question

Of your honesty, yeah, your honesty.

One likes to believe in the freedom of music,

But glittering prizes and endless compromises

Shatter the illusion of integrity.

For the words of the prophets were written on the studio wall,

Concert hall

And echoes with the sounds of salesmen. Of salesmen. Of salesmen.

Ramones: "Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?"

Rock'n, rock'n'roll radio Let's go

Rock'n, rock'n'roll radio Let's go

Rock'n, rock'n'roll radio Let's go

Rock'n, rock'n'roll radio Let's go

Do you remember Hullabaloo,

Upbeat, Shinding and Ed Sullivan too?

Do you remember rock'n'roll radio?

Do you remember rock'n'roll radio?

Do you remember Murray the K,

Alan Freed, and high energy?

It's the end, the end of the 70's

It's the end, the end of the century

Do you remember lying in bed

With your covers pulled up over your head?

Radio playin' so no one can see

We need change, we need it fast

Before rock's just part of the past

'Cause lately it all sounds the same to me

Oh oh oh oh, oh oh

Will you remember Jerry Lee,

John Lennon, T. Rex and OI Moulty?

It's the end, the end of the 70's

It's the end, the end of the century

Queen: "Radio Ga Ga"

Words and music by Roger Taylor

(Radio)

I'd sit alone and watch your light

My only friend through teenage nights

And everything I had to know

I heard it on my radio

(Radio)

You gave them all those old time stars

Through wars of worlds -- invaded by Mars

You made 'em laugh -- you made 'em cry

You made us feel like we could fly

So don't become some background noise

A backdrop for the girls and boys

Who just don't know or just don't care

And just complain when you're not there

You had your time, you had the power

You've yet to have your finest hour

(Radio)

All we hear is Radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio ga ga

All we hear is Radio ga ga

Radio blah blah

Radio what's new?

Radio, someone still loves you!

We watch the shows -- we watch the stars

On videos for hours and hours

We hardly need to use our ears

How music changes through the years

Let's hope you never leave old friend

Like all good things on you we depend

So stick around cos we might miss you

When we grow tired of all this visual

You had your time, you had the power

You've yet to have your finest hour

(Radio)

All we hear is Radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio GaGa

All we hear is radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio GaGa

All we hear is Radio ga ga

Radio ga ga

Radio what's new?

Someone still loves you!

You had your time, you had the power

You've yet to have your finest hour

(Radio)