"Rock 'n' Roll Is King" is a song written and performed by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) released as a single from the 1983 album Secret Messages. With this song the band returned to their rock roots. It features a violin solo by Mik Kaminski.
Background The song went through many changes during recording and at one point was going to be called "Motor Factory" with a completely different set of lyrics.
In an interview in the King of the Universe fanzine, Dave Morgan, who was with ELO at the time, described his involvement with the recording as such:
Commercial performance The single proved to be ELO's last UK top twenty hit single, and reached No. 19 in the US in August 1983.
Chart history
Weekly charts Chart (1983)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)13South Africa (Springbok Radio)7Spain (AFYVE)30US Billboard Adult Contemporary36US Billboard Hot 10019US Billboard Top Tracks19US Cash Box22 Chart (2021)Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (1983)RankAustralia (Kent Music Report)92Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)36Canada Top Singles (RPM)57Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)74US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)123
References