Like a Rock

Album: Like a Rock (1986)
Charted: 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Bob Seger always seemed more like a regular guy than a Rock Star, and this moving song about pride and consistency struck a chord with working class Americans who could relate to him. Seger grew up in Michigan, paid his dues with constant touring, and stayed true to his roots.
    Seger was 40 years old when this song was released, and there was a wisdom to his words that appealed to his audience. In a 1986 interview with Creem magazine, he said: "It's a matter of growing up. From the time I was 20 until I was 30, I didn't sell a whole lot of records, but I was doing a lot of rock 'n' roll. That's the way I felt at the time. Maybe during the period when I was 30 to 40, I was getting more mature, writing about older themes. I'm sure 'Like A Rock' doesn't mean much to someone who's 20, but I gotta write what I know about."
  • Talking about writing this song in a 1994 interview with Music Connection, Seger said, "There have been times where I've written a bunch of verses before I even know what the title is. That's what happened with 'Like A Rock.' I wrote the first three verses of that song before I even knew where I was going. Then, one day, I just fell into the 'like a rock' thing, and I thought it worked."
  • Guitarist/singer Rick Vito played the guitar on this song. Vito was in Fleetwood Mac from 1987-1991.
  • The album version of this song is 5:56 long. The single version was cut down to 4:36.
  • This was used in an advertising campaign for Chevrolet trucks that ran from 1991 - 2004, making it indelibly associated with the vehicles. The song helped sell a lot of Silverados, and is considered one of the best choices for an ad campaign in the history of music. With a sturdy tempo, a singer who fits the demographic, and lyrics about reliability, this was the perfect song. The title provided a tag line better than anyone in Madison Avenue could have dreamed up, and the song got a new life, becoming much better known than it was on initial release. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for above 3
  • The video was shot in the Mojave Desert. They went for cinematography over effects, with a blue tint and no lip synching. It was artistic but slow, and failed to make an impact on MTV. Some guys were never meant to be video stars.
  • This song was used in the soundtrack for the film The Weather Man (2005), which starred Nicolas Cage.

Comments: 9

  • Pete from NjTo: Greg from Harrington Park, Nj. Your comments and observations after listening to Like a Rock in concert were simply wonderful, I felt you feeling the song. I too am brought back to those years and only wish I knew then what I know now and why is it we never know the most meaningful time in our lives are happening when they are? I felt invincible at 18, and didn't know that feeling wouldn't last. I also wish I could go back and tell the people I shared my time with then how important our time together was. Thank you for taking the time to write such a descriptive account of your experience and take on Seger's song. It was never about the Chevy....
  • Glen Todd from South CarolinaExtremely powerful song.. Bob seger's vocals are heart felt and real! Vito's slide work literally makes me feel as though I'm flying!!!
  • Ike from New JerseyWhat was the make and model of the car is used in the video like a rock by Bob Seger?
  • Rocky Roe from ChicagoMy father sang this to me as a baby I was born in 1987
    Didn’t understand the meaning of lyrics till he past away in 2019
    Miss you dad
  • Mike from Worcester, MaI first saw Bob Seger at the Hollywood Sportatorium (FL) in 1976 with my high school girlfriend. His songs me so much to me and the older I get (62) I understand the lyrics more and more. Like a Rock to me is just how Seger wrote it about. Where has did the time go and steady as a rock. We saw his last concert and my high school girl from whom we dated of and on again for 40 years was happy to join me at the concert.
  • Kevin from Detroit, Mi Some of the greatest entertainers, movie stars, athletes, and musicians are from the Detroit area. Eminem, Kid Rock, Madonna, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Magic Johnson, Lucille Ball, Joe Louis, The Supreme, Temptations, Alice Cooper, Tom Selleck, Smokey Robinson, and so many others....But Seger, I wanna say, has gotta be, still, Detroits Most Beloved Son. That says a lot! To be Number 1 in Detroit! With all the history this city has! Yes! Seger is That Good!!
  • Doug Barton from 3797 N. Hwy 59 Merced Ca. 95348I too am a big Seger fan. We saw him in Sacramento Ca. in March 2015. It was an excellent show.
    I am dedicating this song "Like a Rock" to my stepson who has been wrongfully accused of murder.
    Visiting him in jail now for past two months has been difficult at best, but every time we go see him, the first thing he asks us is how are we doing. Amazing. He's locked up for no reason and he asks us how we're doing.
    He always has a smile and always has a few jokes. But he is and always will be like a rock to all of us.
    Going to court 10/13/2015 finally. Will keep up-dating this post.
  • Greg from Harrington Park, NjJust saw Bob Seger at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday April 16th, 2013 and the show was nothing short of amazing. Now I know this song is considered by many to be forever associated with the Chevy truck commercial... and rightfully so. But let me just say this... Hearing this song live was an experience unlike any other I have ever had at a concert. Bob sat in a chair - played acoustic guitar on this song and the camera was close up on him to get a good shot for the video monitors above the stage. As he sat there with the lines in his face, his silver hair showing his age and his emotions pouring through him as he sang, I felt something in this song that I had never felt before. I felt myself in the song. I felt myself as that 18 year old - eyes clear and bright, steps quick and light - solid everywhere - Like a Rock. I felt myself being described as that teenager working for peanuts - not a care in the world though. I WAS something to see... then the slide guitar solo which was played perfectly - almost identically note for note to the studio version. That solo moved me to tears as I felt the energy dripping off those notes and landing in my ears. Next came the reflective portion of the song - when this once care free, tight muscled, clear eyed teenager realizes that his youth has past him - and he stands one night by the fire wondering where 20 years has gone. I am 37 so just about 20 years has passed for me as well. I, for that moment was the character in the song. This is what makes Seger's music and particularly this song so appealing. The way he writes - his style appeals to the senses - you are always hearing something (thunder in Night Moves, echos down a canyon in till it shines ) seeing or touching something or doing something that appeals to the senses - his songs are visual and descriptive - you see what is going on in your head as the story unfolds and is being narrated by this rock genius. For me - I've always envisioned Seger himself when I've listened to this song - but for some reason when I heard this song Tuesday night - I saw myself in the lyrics for the first time. I can honestly say this song has changed me in a spiritual way that I have never felt before and now to me at least... Like A Rock is no longer associated with Chevy trucks in my mind... it is something more tangible, something more concrete with meaning. My own Life.
  • Bob from Southfield, MiSome see this song as a sequel to the song, "Night Moves". The same character, years later, looking back at his life.
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