"Like a Rock" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Bob Seger. The single peaked at No. 1 on the US Album Rock Tracks chart.

Background and writing Seger told the New York Times that the song "was inspired partly by the end of a relationship that had lasted for 11 years. You wonder where all that time went. But beyond that, it expresses my feeling that the best years of your life are in your late teens when you have no special commitments and no career. It's your last blast of fun before heading into the cruel world."The Pop Life – Bob Seger's view of life and loving

Reception Cash Box called it an "emotional ballad of perseverance and commitment." Billboard called it a "slow-paced, rough-edged ballad [that] mourns the certainties of youth."

Classic Rock History critic Janey Roberts rated it as Seger's 10th best song.

Personnel Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Like a Rock. Bob Seger – lead vocals

The Silver Bullet Band Chris Campbell – bass Craig Frost – organ

Additional musicians Dawayne Bailey – acoustic guitar Douglas Kibble – background vocals Russ Kunkel – drums Bill Payne – piano Rick Vito – slide guitar The Weather Girls (Izora Armstead and Martha Wash) – background vocals

Chart performance Chart (1986)PeakpositionCanadian RPM Top Singles33Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks5US Billboard Hot 10012US Billboard Adult Contemporary21US Billboard Album Rock Tracks1 Chart (2025)PeakpositionJamaica Airplay () 3 Chart (2026)PeakpositionJamaica Airplay (JAMMS) 2

In media This song's greatest exposure was in Chevrolet truck television advertisements from 1991 until 2004,Chevrolet "Like A Rock" From The Mid-90s for their massively successful "Like a Rock" campaign. Chevrolet originally wanted to use Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." for the ad campaign but when Springsteen declined, "Like a Rock" was chosen.

"Livin' Inside My Heart" The B-side of some versions of the "Like a Rock" single was "Livin' Inside My Heart". Seger said of the song:

See also List of number-one mainstream rock hits (United States)

References