Blame It On The Love Of Rock & Roll

Bon Jovi's song "Blame It On The Love Of Rock & Roll" is a passionate ode to the transformative power of music, particularly rock and roll. The lyrics tell the story of someone who feels an intrinsic connection to rock music from the very first time they hear it. This connection is so profound that it becomes a defining aspect of their identity, much to the confusion and concern of their parents and teachers. The protagonist's love for rock and roll is depicted as a kind of fever or addiction, something that courses through their veins and cannot be cured by doctors or preachers.

The song also touches on the generational divide that often accompanies musical tastes. The protagonist's parents and teachers don't understand their passion for rock music, seeing it as a phase or a form of rebellion. However, for the protagonist, rock and roll is a source of freedom and self-expression. The lyrics humorously suggest that this love for rock music is so powerful that it should be considered illegal, and that it has inoculated them against the mundanity of growing up and growing old. This metaphor of a 'vaccination from a phonograph needle' cleverly encapsulates the idea that music has a lasting, almost medicinal impact on the soul.

Moreover, the song highlights the aspirational aspect of rock and roll. The protagonist dreams of becoming a rock star, not just for fame or fortune, but for the sheer joy and liberation that music brings. This dream is portrayed as a universal desire, something that every little boy with a guitar can relate to. The song concludes by attributing all of the protagonist's achievements and experiences to their love of rock and roll, reinforcing the idea that music is not just a hobby but a way of life.