"Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)" is a 1973 song written and originally performed by Australian singer Kevin Johnson, most famously covered by American singer Mac Davis.
Johnson's version reached number four in Australia. The guitar solo in Johnson's version was played by Rory O'Donoghue. In Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom, only Johnson's original version charted.
Mac Davis version In the United States, it was Mac Davis who had the primary hit version in 1974, although three versions of the song became American chart hits. His version reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Rock 'N' Roll" is the first track on his sixth studio album All the Love in the World. The song was the lead single of two issued from the LP, the other being the title track, and both of which became hit records.
The Cats version Dutch band the Cats released a version in the Netherlands in 1973 on EMI Nederland. The song reached #3 on both the Single Top 100 and Dutch Top 40.
Terry Jacks version In Canada, Terry Jacks' version made the charts in 1975. It also reached number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100. His version appeared on the album Y' Don't Fight the Sea and was a bonus track appearing on Seasons in the Sun.
Other notable versions New Zealand singer Craig Scott covered the song in 1974, reaching #13 there.Pop Archives
Chart history Weekly charts Kevin Johnson original Chart (1973–1974)PeakpositionAustralia (Go-Set)4Germany47UK (Official Charts Company)23U.S. Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - 73U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary43U.S. Cash Box Top 10090 Chart (1975)Peakposition The Cats cover Chart (1973–1974)PeakpositionBelgium Flanders Top 30 15Netherlands Single Top 100 3Netherlands Dutch Top 403 Craig Scott cover Chart (1974)PeakpositionNew Zealand13 Terry Jacks cover
Chart (1974–1975)PeakpositionCanada RPM Top Singles22Canada RPM Adult Contemporary5U.S. Billboard Hot 10097U.S. Cash Box Top 10092
Year-end charts Chart (1975)RankCanada RPM Top Singles 182
Mac Davis cover
Chart (1974–1975)PeakpositionCanada RPM Top Singles40Canada RPM Adult Contemporary14U.S. Billboard Hot 10015U.S. Billboard Easy Listening4U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles29U.S. Cash Box Top 100 16
Chart (1975)RankU.S. (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)143
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