This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
They say that you play too loud
Well, baby, that's tough
They say that you've got too much
Can't get enough
They tell you that you look a fool
Or maybe I'm a fool for you
State that your mind's diseased
Shakey stuff
And it's a rock 'n' roll damnation
Ma's own whipping boy
Rock 'n' roll damnation
Take your chance, while you still got the choice
You say that you want respect
Honey, for what?
For everything that you done for me
Well, uh, thanks a lot
Come on
Get up off your bended knees
You can set your mind at ease
My temperature's runnin' hot
Oh, I been waiting all night for a bite of what you got
And it's a rock 'n' roll damnation
Ma's own whipping boy
Rock 'n' roll damnation
Take a chance while you still got the choice
Oh, it's a hard life
(Damnation) They're putting you down
(Damnation) All over town
(Damnation) 'Cause you're way out of reach
Livin' on the street, you got to practice what you preach
And it's a rock 'n' roll damnation
Ma's own whipping boy
Rock 'n' roll damnation
Take your chance while you still got the choice
(Damnation) You left a happy home
(Damnation) To live on your own
(Damnation) You want to live in sin
(Damnation) It's a rock 'n' roll
(Damnation) Just too fond of the joy
(Damnation) You're a toy for a boy
(Damnation) You got dollars in your eyes
(Damnation) Always chasing the pie in the sky
(Damnation)
Rock 'n' roll (damnation)
Well, baby, that's tough
They say that you've got too much
Can't get enough
They tell you that you look a fool
Or maybe I'm a fool for you
State that your mind's diseased
Shakey stuff
And it's a rock 'n' roll damnation
Ma's own whipping boy
Rock 'n' roll damnation
Take your chance, while you still got the choice
You say that you want respect
Honey, for what?
For everything that you done for me
Well, uh, thanks a lot
Come on
Get up off your bended knees
You can set your mind at ease
My temperature's runnin' hot
Oh, I been waiting all night for a bite of what you got
And it's a rock 'n' roll damnation
Ma's own whipping boy
Rock 'n' roll damnation
Take a chance while you still got the choice
Oh, it's a hard life
(Damnation) They're putting you down
(Damnation) All over town
(Damnation) 'Cause you're way out of reach
Livin' on the street, you got to practice what you preach
And it's a rock 'n' roll damnation
Ma's own whipping boy
Rock 'n' roll damnation
Take your chance while you still got the choice
(Damnation) You left a happy home
(Damnation) To live on your own
(Damnation) You want to live in sin
(Damnation) It's a rock 'n' roll
(Damnation) Just too fond of the joy
(Damnation) You're a toy for a boy
(Damnation) You got dollars in your eyes
(Damnation) Always chasing the pie in the sky
(Damnation)
Rock 'n' roll (damnation)
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Rock 'n' Roll Damnation Lyrics as written by Angus Mckinnon Young Ronald Belford Scott
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Like Highway To Hell, I think this song is pretty much about how hard ife is when you pursue a career in rock and roll, 'cause sadly, it's no walk in the park.
I cant beliave there is no comment for this song !! its a great song omg!!!!!
It's down right blasphemous how underated "Powerage" is. For my money the best album by AC/DC with Bon Scott.
this song is not blasphemous at all you obviously don't read the lyrics right no offence, but the song is about his girlfriend and rock n roll, i would know because I've got Angus Young on Facebook, plus I've got the proper Powerage album, with the book that tells you what the song is about, plus I've also got the meaning for every ac/dc song because i ordered the whole proper box set of AC/DC's albums they all had the book that told you what the song was about, and let me tell you none of their songs are satanic, demonic or blasphemous, no offence i know your a huge AC/DC fan but i F***ING hate it when people call them or any of their songs satanic or blasphemous, i even know what the song Hells Bells means, its how the narrator will attack and drag the victim to hell, not the actual hell where Satan is, he just feels like Satan and wants to attack people with words, but the songs is mostly about the Vietnam war and thunderstorms, in the war there was an operation called Operation Rolling Thunder, plus there was an operation called operation pouring rain, when he sings the name Satan he means the narrator, because the narrator of AC/DC is very violent, so there you go man, none of their songs are satanic or blasphemous,but you are right Powerage is the best album there is, but i think back in black is better.
great song. love the rhythm...
Awesome song. Powerage is a very underrated album too. Not too sure about the meaning though. Probably about how hard life is as a rocker starting out.
great rough song to rock out to
this song kicks so much ass!!!
whoo!!!!
This song was really was meant to be a hit as AC/DC's managers were worried that Powerage didn't have enough 'hit' songs on it to make it popular. So the album was released again and AC/DC wrote Rock 'N Roll Damnation.
rockyou, I agree powerage is a great album. One of if not the best.
What a great album Powerage is - Rock and Roll Damnation is about how the music and lifestyle of Rock and Roll was/is looked down upon by some people - what a great song
you are right, but did you know its also about his girlfriend when Bon stood up to her, hence the lyrics "you say that you want respect honey for what". but Bon also wrote ell ain't a bad place to be, that's a song about how his girlfriend treated him like shit so it was hell for him, but the sex was good, so Hell ain't a bad place to be. so both you and me are right, i reckon they should listen to you more.