About the Song
“When I’m a Rock ‘n Roll Star” by David Cassidy is a high-energy track that perfectly captures the excitement and fantasy of rock stardom. Released in 1972 on his debut solo album Cherish, this song showcases a different side of Cassidy—one that leans into the edgier, more rebellious dreams of a young musician breaking free from his teen idol image.
Lyrically, the song is all about ambition, fame, and the dream of making it big in the world of rock and roll. With lines like “When I’m a rock ‘n roll star, I’m gonna be someone” and “They’ll scream my name, light up the stage,” Cassidy paints the picture of a performer who craves the spotlight and the adoration that comes with it. It’s a song filled with youthful determination and excitement, making it relatable to anyone who has ever dreamed of being a star.
Musically, “When I’m a Rock ‘n Roll Star” moves away from the polished pop sound of The Partridge Family and embraces a more rock-driven approach. The song features a lively beat, bold electric guitar riffs, and a more raw, energetic vocal performance from Cassidy. His voice, usually associated with smooth ballads and soft rock, takes on a grittier edge here, proving that he could handle more than just love songs.
This track was significant because it hinted at Cassidy’s desire to transition into a more mature musical identity. While he was widely known as a teen idol, “When I’m a Rock ‘n Roll Star” showed that he had real musical passion and wanted to be taken seriously as an artist.
Though it may not have been one of his biggest hits, “When I’m a Rock ‘n Roll Star” remains a fun and energetic track that showcases Cassidy’s versatility. It’s a great reminder of the excitement of rock and roll and the dreams that fuel every performer’s journey.
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Lyrics: When I’m A Rock ‘n Roll Star
When I’m a rock and roll…
When I’m a rock and roll…
When I’m a rock and roll star
When I’m a rock and roll…
When I’m a rock and roll…
When I’m a rock and roll…
Gonna drive ’em insane
They’ll be hummin’ my name
While I’m rolling in fortune and fame yeah
I’m talkin’ obscene
In my black limosines
My picture’s on the cover of all those teen magazines – woo!
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a rock and roll star
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a rock and roll star
Tight leather suit
Isn’t he cute
Acting all cool and aloof
I’ll be knockin’ ’em dead
Sayin’ it’s goin’ to his head
Look man, whaddya expect from a small-town boy like me?
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a rock and roll star
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a rock and roll
When I’m a Rock and roll star now… play it
Instrumental and background voices:
When he’s a rock and roll
When he’s a roll and roll
When he’s a rock and roll star