Thing a Week 37 – Rock and Roll Boy
I went trolling for some interesting audio this week over at the Internet Archive – frankly, I’m a little sick of writing songs, and I wanted to flush out the system with a found audio thingie. I found this treasure trove, a collection of kids on cassette in the public domain (if you’ve never been to the Internet Archive, you should check it out – it’s non-profit with an enormous library of, like, everything). It brought back fond memories of yelling nonsense into the grill of a 40-pound tape recorder with a record button you had to lean on and mash down with your whole hand. And I was blown away by six-year-old Justin’s “Rock and Roll Boy,” which begins with the most fantastic opening lines in the history of rock and roll.
So I wrote a song around Justin’s vocals. He wasn’t thoughtful enough to provide a third verse or a bridge, and he wandered a bit in terms of key, so I had to improvise. But I really think he had an actual song in his head. Which is more than I can say for myself some weeks…
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Comments
Steve C. says
This song and the oddity of the source material wins in so many random ways. I will be proud to say I was there when the internet hit its bizarre apex.
However, if it turns out that Rock And Roll Boy grew up to be Jason Mraz or some other equally insincere, heartless singer-songwriter, I will be crushed.
Ian says
Dude.. sweet key changes! After listening to the source I'm just floored. Somewhere on Planet Earth little Justin is gonna be one happy guy.
Alex says
It would be absolutely hilarious if the kid was older now and just happened to come upon this page and heard this song, I'd love to see the look on his face.
Andrine says
I'd say that the kid has potential. Can we please have the lyrics? It's beautifully orchestrated, but sort of hard to understand.
Josh says
Yes!! This is fantastic! I used to do that all the time. The best thing when I was a kid, was to record the family drunks partying. I wish I still had some of those old boombox recordings. I even remember a recordable 8 track tape we played with.
I would also record music from my Fisher Price record player onto a tape that was in the recorder and D.J. No wires! Air quality recording.
Good times!!
Alex Holden says
Andrine: to get the lyrics of any of JC's songs, go to the Songs page and click on the info link next to the name of the song.
Jeremy Henty says
This proves Tom Lehrer was right when he referred to "Rock and Roll ... and other children's music"! Seriously, this was both laugh-out-loud funny and tear-in-the-eye heartwarming. It's also the first time I haven't wanted to retch when a singer dedicates a song to his Mum.
Spiff says
The opening music is dead on Chiron Beta Prime.
JoCo says
Spiff: it's the same drums - got to buy a new library...
Eric Ginsberg says
Now it is your solemn duty to track down Justin, and give him half your profits for this week's Thing. Public domain is all well and good, but you know you'd be doing the right thing. ;)
Well done,
Eric
Lane says
oh man, I made a bunch of tapes with a friend of mind when I was a kid. I recently spoke with him as we are planning our 25th high school reunion. We talked about those tapes. I have completely lost track of them. We each had some of them, and it seems we have none now. I wish I knew where they were. We got quite elaborate, with an alien that had become stranded on earth and shacked up with a chick he met. We did our own monster chiller horror theatre. Weirdly enough, he always like the voices I made up, and I always preferred his.
I really dig the kid of course, and also, your backup vocals. This is going to become a favourite of mine.
oh, btw, garage band has a pitch corrector ... :)
Mur says
For the record, "sibling rivalry" is one of my favorite songs by you, so don't discount your other audio adventures.
Andrine says
Thanks Alex, I knew that the lyrics should be there, but it wasn't up on the songs page when I posted. There they are now. And it's totally understandable in the source material. I love that Rock and Roll boy!
DGD says
Why do I get the feeling Justin was a member of the Kiss Army?
Barby says
And here is the moment when Barby feels an incessant need to throw my arms around you and tell you, that might be the cutest thing I've heard all year. Go go Jo Co!
Otis Fodder says
Thank you for this!! I contacted Justin (who is still around and is a video/film producer cat in Seattle WA). We played for years in a band together Lullabelle in Seattle, http://www.junkstand.com.
If you want to write Justin (JP Farquar) directly you can reach him at:
unclemaryx [at] junkstand [dot] com
This song/version/original-remake is nothing but amazing. After carrying around this recording for years and compiling the Party Fun comp this makes me more happy then you can ever know. Thank You!!
Otis Fodder says
P.S. -
Just linked you from the Comfort Stand website:
http://www.comfortstand.com/catalog/004/index.html
http://www.comfortstand.com/index.html
Thank you again. I am going to call Justin tomorrow to make sure he hears this. You don't even know, he is going to love this. I think you will have made his decade.
Barby says
That's crazy and awesome! You go!
ric seaberg says
awesome effort jc. i kneel at the feet of the king omega talented jonathan! ric
JoCo says
Hey Otis: that's excellent, I'm glad this song will make its way home to the man himself. Let me know if he says I got it right or not...
Dave says
My parents recorded my sisters and me in about 1973 (we were between 4 and 9). Naturally, they treasured it as if it was an original butcher cover of Yesterday And Today. Dad even went so far as to transfer it to CD and, the last time we were together, they played it for us. The sight of my nephews looking disinterested as my parents kept saying, "This is your mommy when she was your age" as my sister warbled "The Impossible Dream" was the only thing to come out of that episode.
loverofme says
u should sing over justins prety voice jc
Otis Fodder says
yes, alternate version! sorry, just hooked on this song.
Jordan says
This song is so damn good. It's been in my head since I heard it, and I don't mind it being there.
Wilson Fowlie (aka CuriousMind) says
So, what's the verdict from Justin - anyone know?
Otis says
Justin wrote to me the other day and said,
"i just listened to it. it's great. unfortunately my ma just got on a plane so she didn't get to hear it."
that's it from the rock and roll boy. anyone wanting to write him can do so at, unclemaryx [at] junkstand [dot] com
Bruce says
Well, I like the guitar very much and I do think the song is original. Have you thought about recording a cover of a rock classic. These are rock classic covers are all the rage, ever since Dr. BLT released this version of Steppenwolf's Born to Be Wild
Born to Be Wild
Dr. BLT
http://www.drblt.net/music/Born2BeWild.mp3
JY says
FYI, I happened to stumble across an earlier recording that another musician made based on the same tape of Justin. It is said to have been created in April 2004. Your version is catchier though.
Here's the link to a page that lets you play the song:
http://www.comfortstand.com/catalog/511/index.html
Totz the Plaid says
I'm sorry, but next to "Beds Hurt My Booty" this is my least favorite thing of yours. I can't stand to listen to either. Why this one? The vocal style of the kid seems really punk or hard rock and you went in a completely different direction, making it into a Queen-esque choral-rock piece. Now, I like that style when it fits the lyrics and vocals (I'm a big fan of Queen), but I feel this song called for 'RAWK'. I respect your artistic choice and am a huge fan of your work in general, but... yeah. Sorry.