In the heat of the day, down in Mobile, Alabama
Workin’ on the railroad with a steel drivin’ hammer
Tryin’ to get some money, get some brand new shoes
Tryin to find a lady, chase away my blues
Hot and wasted sweatin’ in the sun
’cause I’m not a foreman ’till my work is all done
Later in the evening when the sun is sinking low
I’ll be out there waitin’ for the whistle to blow
Sittin’ in the teepee smokin’ out on the track
Rollin’ them bones till my foreman get back
Suddenly I hear the breakman up and shout
There’s a non-stop train runnin’ just two miles out
Everybody jumpin’ and a screaming around
Tryin to get a line an get the teepee down
Railroad owner’s ’bout to go insane
Tryin’ to get the workers out the way of the train
Here come the engineer honk his horn
He got a train you got to let it roll on
Let it rock
Let it rock
Let it rock
Let it rock
Rock and roll all night long
Long time ago in Missouri
St. Louis Missouri
Home of the blues
Birth of the blues
Little old Chuck Berry
Chuck used to say:
There she is again over there by the record machine
Three times
Lookin’ like a model on the cover of a magazine
Too damn cute to be a minute over 13, I believe that
Meanwhile…Ol’ Chuck he be thinkin’
She’s in the mood, no need to break it
I got a chance and Lord I’m gonna take it
If she’ll dance we might even make it
Come on Queenie, let’s shake it
Little Queenie
Go go go little Queenie
Rock an roll rock an roll rock an roll
go go go little Queenie
Rock an roll rock an roll rock an roll
Mr. Drew Abbott from Royal Oak, Michigan on guitar
While I’m at it,
Mr. Chris Campbell right here on bass from Plymouth, Michigan
Charlie Martin on the drums from Detroit, Michigan
Tommy Cartmell on saxophone from Birmingham, Michigan
Robin Robbins on keyboards from Grosse Point, Michigan
Silver Bullet yeah
I’m Bob Seger I’m from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Shake baby shake
Shake baby shake
Shake baby shake
Shake baby shake…
I believe we’re about ready don’t you?
A little bit of guitar, rock and roll
Let it rock
Said go on and Let it rock
Go on and Let it rock
Reach on down in your soul
A little bit of Detroit michigan soul
I love it
Rock an roll all night long
You’re a beautiful audience good night
Thank you
Good night
Good night and get high and have a good time thank you
Raw Energy on the Railroad
“Let It Rock” by Bob Seger channels the sweat and spirit of blue-collar life, painting a vivid picture of railroad workers toiling under the southern sun. The lyrics capture the daily grind, the longing for a better life, and the camaraderie forged through hard work. Seger’s storytelling brings Mobile, Alabama to life, blending the urgency of a passing train with the universal need to keep moving forward, both literally and figuratively.
Homage to Rock and Roll Roots
The song transitions to a heartfelt tribute to St. Louis’ musical heritage and Chuck Berry, one of rock and roll’s founding fathers. Seger effortlessly weaves Berry’s iconic imagery and playful lyrics into his own performance, celebrating the enduring influence of early rock and roll. The energetic shout-outs to his bandmates and the crowd underscore the communal joy and spontaneity at the heart of live music.
Song Credits
Artist: Bob Seger
Songwriter: Edward Anderson
Release Year: 1972
Label: Capitol Records