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I Just Turned 80

© 2019, words and music by John R. Black

 

(Chorus)

I just turned 80

I love rock and roll;

Been singing it forever,

God bless my soul.

Get out of my way,

got more years to go—

Come on, baby,

Let’s do the rock and roll.

 

When I was 17

I wrote “Mary Jo.”

She was a beauty,

I loved her so.

Along came Sheila

and Paula, too;

Couldn’t stop writing

about the girls I knew.

I joined the Army

to see the world

Wrote a few songs

about Army girls

Rock and Roll Mary

said take my hand

I want you

To rule my land

 

(Chorus)

 

Went to Russia

Fell in love

Wrote about Julia

my Russian love

Elena said,

“Come and dance with me,

Marry me,

I’ll set you free.”

I met Joanne,

My main squeeze,

She fell for me.

I got on my knees

“Joanne, baby

I love you so—

You’re my Queen

Of Rock and Roll.”

 

(Chorus)

 

Old girlfriends

Say, “Write one for me!”

I tell them

it ain’t gonna be.

 

(Background vocals)

Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny

Heaven above

Write me a song

About our love.

 

Don’t stand in line

Don’t wait for me

I’ll be on the QM2 at sea

 

(Background vocals)

Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny

Come on, please Johnny?

 

Sorry, darlin’.

 

I just turned 80,

I love rock and roll.

Been singing it forever,

God bless my soul.

Get out of my way,

got more years to go—

Come on, baby,

Let’s do the rock n roll!

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