A.D. 1928 / Rockin' The Paradise

A.D. 1928

Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung

Tonight's the night we'll make history, as sure as dogs can fly
And I'll take any risk to tie back the hands of time
And stay with you here all night
So take your seats and don't be late, we need your spirits high
To turn on these theatre lights and brighten the darkest skies

Here at the Paradise.... 

Rockin' The Paradise
Written by Dennis DeYoung, James Young, Tommy Shaw
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung

So whatcha doin' tonight?
Have you heard that the world's gone crazy?
Young Americans listen when I say

There's people puttin' us down
I know they're sayin' that we've gone lazy
To tell you the truth we've all seen better days

Don't need no fast buck lame duck profits for fun
Quick trick plans, take the money and run
We need long term, slow burn, getting it done
And some straight talking, hard working son of a gun.

Whatcha doin' tonight?
I got faith in our generation
Let's stick together and futurize our attitudes
I ain't lookin' to fight, but I know with determination
We can challenge the schemers who cheat all the rules

Come on take pride, be wise, spottin' the fools
No more big shots, crackpots bending the rules
A fair shot here for me and for you
Knowing that we can't lose

And we'll be rockin' in Paradise
Rockin' the Paradise tonight
Rockin' in Paradise
Rockin' the Paradise tonight
Tonight, tonight...

Interpretation

A.D. 1928 is an introduction to the Paradise Theatre theme, representing the grand opening of the Theater. The expression "as sure as dogs can fly" is probably a reference to Sparky The Flying Dog, one of the acts on the Theater marquee seen on the front cover of the album.

Many people are putting down America by saying we haven't kept the work ethic that made the country strong. Rockin' the Paradise calls on the youth of America to prove these naysayers wrong by ignoring the get-rich-quick schemes and other ways of ignoring the necessity for hard work and perseverance to lead a successful life. We know how to work and play in America!