NM! When I'm a Rock 'n' Roll Star: The David Cassidy Collection CD GREATEST HITS 793018211727 | eBay

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.David Cassidy: A rocking romancer to millions of young fans

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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

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Billy Joe Shaver first caught Waylon Jennings’ eye at Willie Nelson’s Dripping Springs Reunion back in 1972 while passing a guitar around backstage and picking “Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me.” Waylon immediately stopped in his tracks, learned the chords on the spot, and promised to record the material. Instead of a quick cut, Shaver found himself stuck in Nashville for six months trying to collect on that promise while dealing with empty pockets and a songwriter dodging his calls. A sympathetic DJ eventually smuggled him right into one of Waylon’s studio dates. Still trying to brush him off, Waylon handed over a hundred-dollar bill with strict instructions to clear out. Shaver was broke enough to desperately need the cash, yet his pride won out. He fired the money right back with a harsh insult, prompting a furious Waylon to storm out into the hallway surrounded by a crowd. Shaver stood his ground and told him straight: listen to the songs, or catch a beating right there in front of God and everybody. Waylon finally sat down and listened. One track led to another until Jennings scrapped his own plans and built an entire record around Shaver’s writing. Released in 1973, Honky Tonk Heroes packed nine of Billy Joe’s compositions and turned into a crown jewel of the outlaw movement. The recording room stayed just as volatile, with Shaver loudly arguing over arrangement choices and accusing Waylon of altering his vision. Yet that exact friction gave the record its teeth. Waylon had just fought RCA for total creative freedom, and Billy Joe Shaver proved stubborn enough to demand that exact same respect for the words on the page.