Let it Rock by Kevin Rudolf (featuring Lil Wayne)

Album: Calibunga (2008)

Charted: 5 5

License This Song

Songfacts®:

With a combination of rock and electro elements, "Let It Rock" was a huge hit in 2008. It's a banger, but it has a meaning most listeners miss.

"'Let it Rock' was written from a place of anger and dissatisfaction with the world," Rudolf told DJ Booth. "It's a song about hypocrisy. It contains biblical references - and yet people still think it's a party song. Whatever works."

You're forgiven if you heard this as a straight party song, as the title and chorus ("When I arrive, I bring the fire...") overpower the verse lyrics that tell the story.
This features Rudolf's Cash Money Records labelmate Lil Wayne, who raps a verse and appears in the video. Wayne doesn't bring any attention to the song's plot line of greed and hypocrisy, rapping instead about how he can make panties drop.
Rudolf wrote and produced this song, which was his debut single. He had previously been a guitarist on various recordings produced by Timbaland, including Nelly Furtado's "Say It Right."
Rudolf told MTV News: "It's a song about the hypocrisy in the world, and I'm saying that when I come through, I'm bringing the truth. I use the parable of the Prodigal Son, because I want to expose all the fakes out there - in the music industry, in the world, anywhere. A lot of people think it's a party record, but it's not."

The lyrics that deal with the biblical tale are:

Now the son's disgraced
He, who knew his father
When he cursed his name
Turned, and chased the dollar
According to the royalty-distribution service BMI, this was the second most-played song at sporting events in 2009-10. (Queen's "We Will Rock You" came out at #1 in the survey).

Comments: 11

Haunted Texas from TexasThis song gives me the creeps. I was awaken by it at 3 am my radio was not on. in 2008 when I was in college. I believe the apartment I lived in was haunted. Even my roommate had experiences. I don't think this song means anything good. Be careful listening to this. It's not a party song or a workout song. The meaning is deeper more darker than people think.
Michelle from WyomingTimmy, you bozo, take this L + ratio + YB better
Jennifer from Cheyenne WyomingAllowed me have your own music I love to listen muxic
Jay from Indianapolis, Indiana, InTimmy, just because someone is a rapper means they're fake? I'm not a big rap fan myself, but that statement seems a bit ridiculous. (Generalization much?) And why would seeing Lil Wayne with a guitar make you angry? Wayne isn't the best guitarist, but he is learning and has performed solos in several of his songs.

You also seem to have a problem with Wayne being in the video. Umm, in case no one informed you of this, Wayne is in the video because he not only signed Kevin to his label, but he HELPED PRODUCE THE SONG! Both of them are great artists and produced a great song.
Shawn from Prescott, AzLet It Rock love the song I bought the clean version its better clean trust Me Let It Rock I do Hate how fake The music video Is.
Richard from Wall, Nji think it's about lying about who you really are to impress someone popular like the last line
I wish I could be
As cool as you
And I wish I could say
The things you do
But I can't and I won't live a lie
No not this time
Josh from Omaha, NeTHIS SONG ROCK SO JUST LET IT ROCK WE'LL BE OK
Fatima from Norfolk, Vayou're funny, timmy.
Timmy from Mukilteo, Wai watched the video of this song. to me it was very insulting because im a huge rock and roll fun, and when i saw lil wayne with a guitar it made me really mad.

i thought it was funny how he wants to expose all the music fakes, so he had lil wayne on the video? hes a rapper, he is a fake.
how ironic.
this guy kevin rudolf contradicts himself and its disgusting
Valerie from None Of Ur Buisness!!, Bci LOVE this song! :) :) :) i don't know why, i just do. :):)
Linda from Thetenthkingdom, IlMaurice danced to this on Dancing With the stars

see more comments

More Songfacts:

No More I Love You'sAnnie Lennox

The Annie Lennox hit "No More I Love You's" is a cover, originally sung by a man.

Mr. CrowleyOzzy Osbourne

The Ozzy Osbourne song "Mr. Crowley" is about Aleister Crowley, a British practitioner of dark magic in the early 1900s.

Me And Julio Down By The SchoolyardPaul Simon

Mickey Mantle and John Madden both appear in the video for "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" by Paul Simon. Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane do a rap intro.

Try AgainAaliyah

Until December 5, 1998, a song had to be issued as a single to make the Hot 100. Aaliyah's "Try Again" was the first tune to top the chart based on airplay alone, without any sales figures being included.