The Art of the Remake III

It’s Only Rock n’ Roll (But I Like It).

A rock solid Stones nugget we all know so well we could sing it in our sleep.

But then Juliana Hatfield takes it to a sad, sweet, girly place that none of us, not even Mick Jagger, ever knew existed before.

Dan’s standard: “If you are going to cover a song, rip it apart a bit and make it your own.” Juliana did it.

The original of course, is a timeless bit of Chuck-Berryish swagger:

The world is a better place for having both.

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If I could stick my pen in my heart
I’d spill it all over the stage
Would it satisfy ya or would slide on by ya?
Or would you think this boy is strange?
Ain’t he strayayange?
If I could win you
if I could sing you
a love song so divine.
Would it be enough for your cheating heart
If I broke down and cried? –
If I criyiyied.

I said I know it’s only rock and roll
But I like it.
I said I know
it’s only rock and roll
But I like it
like it
yes I do.
Well
I like it
oh yes
I like it
I like it
I said: Can’t you see this old boy’s getting lonely?

If I could stick a knife in my heart
Suicide right on the stage
Would it be enough for your teenage lust?
Would it help ease your pain?
Ease your brain if I could dig down deep in my heart
Feelings would flood on the page
Would it satisfy ya
would it slide on by ya?
Would you think the boy’s insane?
He’s insayayane.

I said I know
it’s only rock and roll
. . .

Don’t you think that you’re the only girl around
I bet you think that you’re the only woman in town.

I said I know it’s only rock and roll