What song first used the term rock and roll in it's lyrics?

Answer 1

The phrase "rock and roll" was heard on Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five's version of "Tamburitza Boogie", recorded on August 18, 1950 in New York City. However, there are earlier usages of the term, such as the 1949 record "Rock and Roll Blues" by Erline Harris, and the 1948 record by Wild Bill Moore, "Rock And Roll," as well as a record by Paul Bascomb with the same title, though a completely different song, in 1947. Even as early as 1922, Trixie Smith had a song titled "My Man Rocks Me with One Steady Roll," but the essence of the phrase was first recorded in 1916, on the Little Wonder record label, in a song called "The Camp Meeting Jubilee", where the singers say "We've been rocking and rolling in your arms, in the arms of Moses."

Answer 2

As odd as it might sound, there was actually a minor hit for the Boswell Sisters (who were actually sisters from New Orleans) from the early 1930s titled "Rock And Roll". It's available on several different albums, including Sony's "Soundtrack Of the Century" collection and the "Art Deco Series: That's How Rhythm Was Born" set by the Sisters themselves.

Great props to Zilva, though...she gave an excellent answer!

The song, composed by Richard Whiting and Sidney Clare, is a cute little bouncy number, but most assuredly not one of the Boswell Sisters' best.

Since I doubt you want to buy a 26 CD compilation on Sony, I'd go for the Art Deco CD. I've seen it used for as little as $4.99 at Fye and other used stores.

Answer 3

The term "Rock and Roll" was black slang for dancing sexy. It appeared for the first time on Trixie Smith's song, "My baby rocks me, with one steady roll", in 1922. Bill Hailey and the comets sang "Rock around the clock"

Answer 4

dj alan freed supposedly coined the phrase. do a lookup on him!

Answer 5

i think it was maybe 'we will rock you'. (classic british song :p)