When I walked in the first day
Couldn't believe what I saw
There was loud music playing
And dancing on the floor
The auditors were boppin'
The controller too
The Supervisor said,
"Hey what's the matter with you?"
"You're on a Rock & Roll Audit
You're on a Rock & Roll Audit
You're on a Rock & Roll Audit
Rockin' and rollin' all the time."
The room was all in shambles
Workpapers everywhere
Instead of ticks and ties
Red and blue was in their hair
With pins through their noses
And studs along their belts
A band was in the front
Led by the manager himself
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
Rockin' and rollin' all the time.
I thought for sure they'd shape up
When the partner came to call
I couldn't believe it
When they didn't change at all
Although he looked much older
I knew something was wrong
When the partner grabbed a guitar
Played a funky dancing song
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
Rockin' and rollin' all the time.
After standing there in shock
And wondering what to do
I ripped off my white shirt
And began to boogie too
Didn't care about the work
Only in it for the fun
Why can't it always be like this
With nothing getting done?
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
I'm on a Rock & Roll Audit
Rockin' and rollin' all the time.
Commentary
I wrote "Rock & Roll Audit" very quickly one day in 1985, on the subway home from work. I had been challenged to come back to work the next day with a new song, and although I expressed the doubt that I could do it, in fact I did. It was a big hit! Originally I would get two women to come up and go "Rock Rock" after each line of the refrain (I would call them the Johnettes) but over time I changed it to audience participation.
I haven't performed "Rock & Roll Audit" in many years, but for some reason I found myself singing it in the shower yesterday. What made this important is that for years (literally, years) I had forgotten the third verse, forgotten so completely that I started to doubt my memory that there had ever been a third verse. I don't know if I have a recording, or written out lyrics anywhere, so I had reconciled myself to the fact that I might never know for sure. Then yesterday I remembered it as clear as day.
Working on several musical pieces right now; finishing "Across The Table" which was never properly put to music, "Too Old For Christmas", my first holiday song, and a yet-to-be-titled song about forgiveness and communion.
