REUNION
"Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)" is a 1974 patter song written by Norman Dolph (lyrics) and Paul DiFranco (music). It was recorded by an ad hoc group of studio musicians called Reunion, with Joey Levine as lead singer. The lyrics are a fast recitation of the names of 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s musicians, songwriters, song titles, lyrics, disc jockeys, record labels, and more, broken only by the chorus. The song is similar to "I've Been Everywhere", which lists place names. Levine was previously lead singer and co-writer of bubblegum music hits "Yummy Yummy Yummy" and "Chewy Chewy" by Ohio Express. "Life Is a Rock" peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song's outro quotes "Baby I Need Your Loving" by the Four Tops, "Celebrate" by Three Dog Night, "I Want to Take You Higher" by Sly and the Family Stone, and "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" by Stevie Wonder.
The track was covered by Tracey Ullman in 1983, and was on her 1984 album, You Broke My Heart in 17 Places.
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