The Cover of the Rolling Stone
Encyclopedia
"The Cover of the Rolling Stone" is a song by written by Shel Silverstein
and first recorded by American rock group Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
. It peaked at number six on the U.S. pop chart
. It was the band's third single.
magazine despite having the superficial attributes of a successful rock star, including drug usage, "teenage groupies, who'll do anything we say" and a frenetic guitar solo.
Eventually, the band did get on the cover of Rolling Stone; however, they did so in caricature, rather than in a photograph, and with the caption, "What's-Their-Names Make the Cover."
BBC Radio
refused to play the song, as it contained the name of a commercial publication (Rolling Stone) and could therefore be considered advertising. The song was re-recorded and rush released in the UK as "The Cover of the Radio Times
" (Radio Times being the name given to the weekly television and radio guide published by the BBC), which did find its way onto playlists.
on his 1987 album Teenage Spectacular
. Rock band Poison
also covered the song on their 2000 album Crack a Smile
...and More. Sammy Kershaw
covered the song on his 2010 album Better Than I Used to Be
, with his version featuring Jamey Johnson
. Black Francis covered the song on the album Twistable, Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to the Songs of Shel Silverstein in 2010.
Additionally, Buck Owens
and the Buckaroos parodied
the song as "On the Cover of the Music City News" on the 1976 album Best of Buck Owens, Volume 6. The Kansas City Jammers parodied the song as "On the Cover of AARP" on their 2010 live album The Kansas City Jammers Live.
The song was also parodied as "On the Cover of the Amagram", a motivational song for Amway
.
Shel Silverstein
Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
and first recorded by American rock group Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show
Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show was an American pop, country and soft rock band, formed around Union City, New Jersey in 1967 as The Chocolate Papers. They enjoyed considerable commercial success in the 1970s with hit singles including "Sylvia's Mother", "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", "A Little Bit...
. It peaked at number six on the U.S. pop chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It was the band's third single.
Song information
The song satirizes success in the music business; the song's narrator laments that his band has not been featured on the cover of Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine despite having the superficial attributes of a successful rock star, including drug usage, "teenage groupies, who'll do anything we say" and a frenetic guitar solo.
Eventually, the band did get on the cover of Rolling Stone; however, they did so in caricature, rather than in a photograph, and with the caption, "What's-Their-Names Make the Cover."
BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
refused to play the song, as it contained the name of a commercial publication (Rolling Stone) and could therefore be considered advertising. The song was re-recorded and rush released in the UK as "The Cover of the Radio Times
Radio Times
Radio Times is a UK weekly television and radio programme listings magazine, owned by the BBC. It has been published since 1923 by BBC Magazines, which also provides an on-line listings service under the same title...
" (Radio Times being the name given to the weekly television and radio guide published by the BBC), which did find its way onto playlists.
Cover versions
The song has been covered by various artists. R. Stevie MooreR. Stevie Moore
Robert Steven Moore is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. In addition to having numerous albums released on labels around the world, the prolific Moore has self-released over 400 cassette and CD-R albums since 1968, as well as dozens of home videos, mostly through the R. Stevie Moore...
on his 1987 album Teenage Spectacular
Teenage Spectacular
Teenage Spectacular is the eighth 12" vinyl record album by DIY home recording pioneer and one-man band R. Stevie Moore. It was the third of four RSM albums released by New Rose Records in Paris, France. Like 1986's Glad Music, Teenage Spectacular differed from most Moore record albums by being...
. Rock band Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
also covered the song on their 2000 album Crack a Smile
Crack a Smile
- Personnel :* Bret Michaels – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar* Rikki Rockett – drums, percussion, backing vocals* Bobby Dall – bass, backing vocals* Blues Saraceno – lead & rhythm guitars, acoustic guitar, piano, backing vocals...
...and More. Sammy Kershaw
Sammy Kershaw
Samuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
covered the song on his 2010 album Better Than I Used to Be
Better Than I Used to Be
-External links:*[ Better Than I Used To Be] at Allmusic...
, with his version featuring Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson is an American Grammy Award nominated country music artist. Signed to BNA Records in 2005, Johnson made his debut with his single "The Dollar," the title track to his 2006 album The Dollar...
. Black Francis covered the song on the album Twistable, Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to the Songs of Shel Silverstein in 2010.
Additionally, Buck Owens
Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
and the Buckaroos parodied
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
the song as "On the Cover of the Music City News" on the 1976 album Best of Buck Owens, Volume 6. The Kansas City Jammers parodied the song as "On the Cover of AARP" on their 2010 live album The Kansas City Jammers Live.
The song was also parodied as "On the Cover of the Amagram", a motivational song for Amway
Amway
Amway is a direct selling company and manufacturer that uses network marketing to sell a variety of products, primarily in the health, beauty, and home care markets. Amway was founded in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos...
.