This Is Rock and Roll

Song Meaning

These lyrics are a defiant declaration, asserting the legitimacy of a new sound against its critics. The speaker immediately draws a parallel to Elvis, once an "outcast" but now a "hero." This establishes a historical pattern: what's initially rejected often becomes iconic. The core message is clear: rock and roll is always "progressing and changing." The central tension arises from this generational clash, where "your grandparents hated him" and "your parents thought they were bad" about foundational artists like Elvis, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. The lyrics suggest that true rock and roll constantly evolves, taking "newest form[s]" that challenge established tastes. This evolution is presented as an inherent quality, not a flaw, of the genre. The speaker claims the current music is simply the latest iteration in this rebellious lineage, despite the critics who "say it's wrong." A key craft element is the redefinition of rebellion itself. The lyrics explicitly state that the current artists are "rebels" too, not for "anarchy or abuse," but because they "have the strength to act different." This reframes "punk" as a deeply personal act of "taking what you feel inside" and putting it to use, emphasizing authenticity and internal conviction over superficial chaos. This shift grounds the defiance in genuine self-expression rather than mere provocation. By anchoring the present sound in a lineage of initially controversial but ultimately influential figures, the lyrics effectively legitimize the music.