Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle

"Rock 'N' Roll Lifestyle"
Single by Cake
from the album Motorcade of Generosity
Released	1993
Format	7" vinyl
Recorded	1993
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	4:14
Label	Stamen Music
Songwriter(s)	John McCrea
Cake singles chronology
"Rock 'N' Roll Lifestyle" (1993) "Jolene" (1994)
"Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" (1993) "Jolene" (1994)
Audio sample
Cake - "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" file help

"Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" (also known as "How Do You Afford Your Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle") is the debut single by Sacramento alternative rock band Cake. This song was first played by KWOD (now known as KUDL). It was later released on Cake's debut album, Motorcade of Generosity. Only 500 copies were issued.

The song was used for an Ikea advertisement in Sweden.^[1]

Track listing

1. "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" – 4:14
2. "Jolene" – 5:19

Lyrics

The song sarcastically pokes fun at details the life of a rock fan who tries to show how cool he is by living a life of drinking, drugs, and music. It's all about the style of being a rock fan more than having any true passion for music.

The lyrics point out that "excess ain't rebellion", but that the person is "drinking what they're selling" "your self destruction doesn't hurt them, chaos wont convert them"; basically, buying the whole lifestyle image of one of rebellion, but it's nothing but excess for no reason that ultimately leaves the person ruined instead of that which they sought to rebel against.

Music video

The music video for this song was filmed at Safetyville USA in Sacramento.

Sleeve and matrix number

The sleeve for this single was xeroxed onto a manila envelope, then end of which was then cut off to make it the correct size.

The matrix number on the vinyl was taken from an item in a Long's Drug newspaper ad - there was no significance to this, there just had to be a number for the pressing company.

Chart positions

References