Only the Good Die Young-Finale



Righteous Brothers

Since tonight is the first of two nights for Orchestra Kentucky's Rock 'n Roll Heaven concert, I thought I would end my series of blogs with the song that created the idea that there might be a heaven for rock 'n rollers. Of course, the song is Rock 'n Roll Heaven, which was recorded by the Righteous Brothers.

The song was written by Alan O'Day (born October 3, 1940). He is best known for writing and singing Undercover Angel, a song which was number one in 1977. He also wrote the 1974 Helen Reddy number one hit Angie Baby. Rock 'n Roll Heaven, also released in 1974, peaked at number three on the charts. In the 1980s he moved from pop music to television, co-writing over 100 songs for the Saturday morning Muppet Babies series, and in the 1990s he wrote and performed music on the National Geographic series Really Wild Animals.

There are two sets of lyrics to the song. Here are the original lyrics. At the risk of stating the obvious, I've made comments about who the song refers to in parenthesis by the lyrics:

If you believe in forever
Then life is just a one-night stand
If there's a rock and roll heaven
Well you know they've got a hell of a band, band, band

Jimmi gave us rainbows (refers to Jimi Hendrix's Rainbow Bridge)
And Janis took a piece of our hearts (refers to Janis Joplin's Piece of My Heart)
And Otis brought us all to the dock of a bay (Otis Redding's (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay)
Sing a song to light my fire (The Doors' Light My Fire)
Remember Jim that way (Jim Morrison of The Doors)
They've all found another place
Another place to play

(Chorus)

Remember bad bad Leroy Brown (Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce)
Hey Jimmy touched us with that song (Jim Croce)
Time won't change a friend we came to know
And Bobby gave us Mack the Knife (Bobby Darin's Mack the Knife)
Well look out, he's back in town (the final line from the song, Mack the Knife)
They'll all be there together
When they meet in one big show

(Chorus)

There's a spotlight waiting
No matter who you are
'Cause everybody's got a song to sing
Everyone's a star
(Everybody's got to be a star)

(Chorus)

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All of the above-named stars are represented in the show, except for Jimi Hendrix. I thought about opening the concert with his rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, but then common sense stepped in!

Watch a video tribute to the artists featured in the Righteous Brothers' hit.

Now watch this video tribute, which features a new recording of the song, new lyrics, and a montage of the artists featured therein.

See you this weekend!