Yeah, that's right. Classes at Rock and Roll High School commence on Friday (and in the afternoon at that). That's just how this school rolls.

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the verbs rock ('to move back and forth') and roll have been used together in the phrase rock and roll (aka rock 'n' roll) since 1954 to refer to a specific style of music that is American in origin and has historically been associated with young listeners. However, the verbal phrase had been an African-American vernacular euphemism for "sexual intercourse," used in popular dance music lyrics and song titles since at least the 1930s. Furthermore, the words rock and roll had appeared together in song titles since at least 1922, with the recording and release of Trixie Smith's "My Man Rocks Me with One Steady Roll."

The term rock and roll has also appeared in the titles and lyrics of several songs in the Billboard year-end Top Ten collection (1951-2015). In chronological order, the first of these is "Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr, which was released in 1955.

Uploaded by jukejointjohnny48 on 2014-05-05.

Perhaps it is only appropriate that Starr would popularize a song in which two seemingly disparate elements -- rock and roll and the waltz -- would come together. Born July 21, 1922, Starr performed in jazz for many years before turning to pop music, and has since also recorded and performed in the genres of country and r&b. Early in her career, she won the respect of fans and musicians alike, with no less than the legendary Billie Holiday famously stating that Starr was "the only white woman that could sing the blues." Now 93 years old, Kay Starr still performs on occasion.

Other songs that include the term rock and roll include Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" (1971). Here he performs the song with the Faces on BBC's music program Top of the Pops.

Rod Stewart - Maggie May (Original Video 1971 Totp)

The term was also used by Don McLean in his hit "American Pie" (also in 1971):

American Pie Don McLean 1971/72 Full Length Video This video was created in 1989 by a group of professional video makers, who believed that they could create a video for a fantastic song from the past. Songs that were released and were big hits, BEFORE videos were ever conceived.

By Wild Cherry in "Play that Funky Music" (1976):

Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music

By Queen in "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (1980):

Queen

By Billy Joel in "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" (also 1980):

By Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" (1981):

Here's a summary of the comments people have made, if you don't want to look through 300+ comments: (1) JOAN JETT ROCKS. (2) THIS IS THE BEST SONG EVER. (3) I LOVE ROCK N ROLL! (4) BRITNEY SPEARS SUCKS. (5) The song that plays in the beginning of the video is "Bad Reputation."

By The Black Eyed Peas in "Boom Boom Pow" (2009):

By LMFAO in "Party Rock Anthem" (2011):

Buy now http://glnk.it/6t Music video by LMFAO performing Party Rock Anthem featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock. (c) 2011 Interscope #VEVOCertified on July 1, 2011. http://www.vevo.com/certified http://www.youtube.com/vevocertified

And as a bonus, Led Zeppelin performing one of the great songs incorporating the phrase rock and roll:

All Rights belong to Led Zeppelin [from the Blu-Ray 'The Song Remains The Same']. Live at Madison Square Garden in 1973. Sound enhancement by WMG.

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