There are songs that tell stories. There are songs that define eras. And then there are songs that explode into existence with such raw, physical energy that they feel less like compositions and more like events. “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” by Gary Glitter belongs firmly in that last category—a pounding, shout-along anthem that turned a simple beat and a single word into one of the most recognizable hooks in modern music history.
Released in March 1972 as the B-side to “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 1),” the instrumental track would go on to eclipse its more traditional counterpart. While Part 1 offered lyrical reflections on the history of rock music, it was Part 2—with its thunderous stomp, brassy swagger, and unforgettable “Hey!” chant—that truly captured the spirit of the early ’70s. It was primal. It was loud. It was impossible to ignore.
And against all expectations, it became a global hit.
From Jam Session to Chart Stormer
The origin story of “Rock ‘n’ Roll” is as unconventional as the track itself. The song began life under a different name—“Shag Rag, That’s My Bag”—a sprawling, experimental jam conceived by producer Mike Leander. Recognizing that the raw material held potential, Leander reshaped it, editing a fifteen-minute studio session into something leaner and more radio-friendly.
The result was divided into two halves. Part 1 became a vocal track nodding to the roots of rock and roll. Part 2, meanwhile, was stripped down to its essentials: a relentless drumbeat, driving guitars, saxophone blasts, and those now-iconic shouted interjections of “Hey!”
Sometimes, simplicity wins.
Upon release, the combined single surged to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, held off the top spot only by Donny Osmond’s “Puppy Love” for three consecutive weeks. Across the Atlantic, it became Glitter’s biggest American success, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
For a largely instrumental track, that was no small feat.
Later in 1972, the song anchored Glitter’s debut album, Glitter, cementing his role as one of the defining figures of the glam rock explosion.
Glam Rock’s Glittering Peak
To understand why “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” hit so hard, you have to step back into the cultural atmosphere of 1972. Glam rock was in full bloom—bold, theatrical, unapologetically flashy. Artists embraced glitter, platform boots, outrageous costumes, and a heightened sense of drama. The music was built on stomping rhythms, massive hooks, and a sense of communal excitement.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” distilled that aesthetic into pure sound. There were no complex lyrics to analyze, no intricate storytelling to unpack. Instead, it offered something more elemental: rhythm and release.
The beat was almost militaristic in its precision—boom, boom, clap—designed to get feet stomping in unison. The saxophone lines added swagger. The shouted “Hey!” wasn’t just a lyric; it was an invitation. It demanded participation.
This was music as collective experience.
In that sense, the song perfectly captured the youthful abandon of the time. The early ’70s were marked by cultural shifts, generational change, and a desire to break from tradition. “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” didn’t preach rebellion—it embodied it in physical form. You didn’t listen to it passively. You felt it in your chest.
The Birth of “The Hey Song”
While its chart success was impressive, the song’s second life is arguably even more remarkable.
In North America, “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” found a home far from radio playlists: inside sports arenas. Its pounding beat and easily chantable hook made it the perfect soundtrack for moments of high drama—goals scored, touchdowns made, victories secured. Over time, it became known simply as “The Hey Song.”
Few songs can claim such an immediate, visceral connection with mass audiences. Within seconds of the opening beat, entire stadiums would erupt in synchronized clapping and chanting. The track transcended its original context, morphing into a universal signal of celebration and adrenaline.
In this way, “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” achieved something rare: it became detached from its creator and reabsorbed into popular culture. It was no longer just a glam rock single—it was an atmosphere generator.
That transformation speaks volumes about the power of rhythm over words. Without narrative constraints, the track could adapt to any setting that required energy and unity.
Soundtrack of a Generation
For many listeners who came of age in the 1970s, the song remains a time capsule. Hearing that unmistakable beat can instantly conjure images of flared trousers, shimmering stage outfits, and neon-lit dance floors. It’s a sonic postcard from an era when rock music reveled in spectacle and showmanship.
At the same time, its endurance reveals something deeper about the mechanics of pop success. The song thrives on repetition and anticipation. Each “Hey!” lands like a punctuation mark, giving the crowd a cue. The rhythm is both simple and commanding, allowing it to cut through noise—whether that noise is radio static or the roar of 20,000 fans.
There’s an almost hypnotic quality to it. The groove loops back on itself, building tension and release in cycles. It’s not complicated—but it doesn’t need to be.
Legacy and Cultural Complexity
No discussion of “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” can ignore the complicated legacy of its performer. In later decades, serious criminal convictions involving Gary Glitter cast a long shadow over his career and led many institutions to distance themselves from his music. As a result, the song’s use in public venues—particularly sports events—became controversial and, in many cases, discontinued.
This tension between cultural impact and personal conduct has prompted ongoing debates about separating art from artist. Regardless of where one stands, the track’s influence on stadium music, chant culture, and glam rock’s sonic vocabulary remains undeniable.
The song stands as both a relic of a flamboyant musical era and a case study in how pop culture can evolve beyond its origins.
Why It Still Hits
More than five decades later, “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” still carries an electric charge. Its DNA can be heard in modern arena anthems, sports chants, and high-energy rock productions. Producers continue to chase that same formula: a pounding beat, a simple hook, and an irresistible call to action.
What makes it timeless isn’t lyrical depth—it’s physicality. It bypasses the intellect and goes straight to instinct. Clap. Stomp. Shout.
In an age saturated with complex digital production, there’s something refreshing about a track that thrives on straightforward impact. It reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful musical moments are built on the simplest foundations.
Final Thoughts
“Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 2)” is more than an instrumental B-side that outshone its A-side. It’s a cultural phenomenon, a stadium ritual, and a defining artifact of glam rock’s glittering heyday. It captured the pulse of youth in 1972 and, against the odds, kept that pulse beating in arenas for decades.
Whether heard through vintage speakers, blasting in an arena, or revisited through nostalgic playlists, that unmistakable “Hey!” still lands with force. It’s the sound of collective energy—of thousands of voices joining as one.
And in that moment, for a few electrifying seconds, rock and roll feels exactly as it was meant to: loud, communal, and unstoppable.