About the song
Released in 1972, “The Cover of the Rolling Stone” is a song by the American rock group Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show. Written by Shel Silverstein, the song is a lighthearted and humorous look at the music industry, particularly the desire for fame and recognition.
The song’s narrator describes the band’s efforts to achieve success, including playing gigs at dive bars, writing catchy songs, and even using drugs to enhance their stage presence. Despite their best efforts, the band remains unrecognized, and they lament the fact that they have not yet been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Despite its lighthearted tone, “The Cover of the Rolling Stone” is a perceptive commentary on the music industry and the pressures of fame. The song’s catchy melody and humorous lyrics have made it a popular choice for parties and sing-alongs, and it remains a beloved classic of 1970s rock and roll.
In addition to its commercial success, “The Cover of the Rolling Stone” has also been praised by critics for its clever lyrics and catchy melody. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, and the Black Crowes.
“The Cover of the Rolling Stone” is a fun and catchy song that has stood the test of time. Its lyrics are still relevant today, and its message of perseverance and resilience is one that can be appreciated by people of all ages.
Video
Lyrics
[Talking]
Ha ha ha, I don’t believe it
Da, da, ah, ah don’t touch it
Hey, Ray, hey, Sugar, tell them who we are…Well, we’re big rock singers
We got golden fingers
And we’re loved everywhere we go…(That sounds like us)
We sing about beauty and we sing about truth
At ten thousand dollars a show…(Right)
We take all kinds of pills that give us all kind of thrills
But the thrill we’ve never known
Is the thrill that’ll getcha when you get your picture
On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone(Rollin’ Stone…) Wanna see my picture on the cover
(Stone…) Wanna buy five copies for my mother…(Yes)
(Stone…) Wanna see my smilin’ face
On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone…(That’s a very very good idea)I got a freaky ole lady name a Cocaine Katy
Who embroiders on my jeans
I got my poor ole grey haired daddy
Drivin’ my limousine
Now it’s all designed to blow our minds
But our minds won’t really be blown
Like the blow that’ll gitcha when you get your picture
On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone(Rollin’ Stone…) Wanna see our pictures on the cover
(Stone…) Wanna buy five copies for our mothers…(Yeah)
(Stone…) Wanna see my smilin face
On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone[Talking]
Hey, I know how
Rock and roll…[Instrumental]
Ah, that’s beautiful
We got a lot of little teenage blue eyed groupies
Who do anything we say
We got a genu-wine Indian Guru
Who’s teaching us a better way
We got all the friends that money can buy
So we never have to be alone
And we keep gettin’ richer but we can’t get our picture
On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone(Rollin’ Stone…) Wanna see my picture on the cover
(Stone…) Wanna buy five copies for my mother…(Wa wa)
(Stone…) Wanna see my smilin’ face
On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone
On the cover of the Rollin’…
(Stone…) Wanna see my picture on the cover[Talking]
I don’t know why we ain’t on the cover, baby…(Stone…) Wanna buy five copies for my mother
[Talking]
We’re beautiful subjects…(Stone…) Wanna see my smilin’ face
[Talking]
I ain’t kiddin’, we would make a beautiful cover…On the cover of the Rollin’ Stone…
[Talking]
Fresh shot, right up front, man…
I can see it now, we’ll be up in the front…
Smilin’, man…
Ahh, beautiful…