“Turn Up the Radio” is a hard rock anthem by the American band Autograph, released as the lead single from their debut album Sign In Please in December 1984. The track, written by all five band members (Steve Plunkett, Steve Lynch, Randy Rand, Keni Richards, and Steven Isham), was initially rejected by RCA Records for being too simple but was insisted upon by the band. It peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in March 1985 and remains the band’s signature hit, earning them recognition as a one-hit wonder.
The song originated from a demo titled “Turn Up the Tape Machine,” which guitarist Steve Lynch developed during a pre-production break. The band refined the riff and lyrics into a radio-friendly anthem centered on escapism and the transformative power of rock music, featuring the iconic line “Things go better with rock.” Despite RCA’s preference for other tracks like “Send Her to Me,” the band’s insistence secured its place on the album and as the lead single.
The music video, directed by Oley Sassone, was a pioneering example of product placement, featuring Paper Mate pens and funded by the company. Set in a futuristic venue where the band interacts with a robotic receptionist, the video received heavy rotation on MTV, significantly boosting the song’s popularity and helping the Sign In Please album achieve gold certification. The track has since been featured in media such as Miami Vice and the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
[Intro]
Ooh, yeah
Turn it up
Come on
[Verse 1]
I’m working hard, you’re working, too
We do it every day
For every minute I have to work
I need a minute of play
[Pre-Chorus]
Day in, day out, all week long
Things go better with rock
The only time I turn it down
Is when I’m sleepin’ it off
[Chorus]
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimme some more
Turn up the radio
I wanna feel it, got to gimme some more
[Verse 2]
Now, listen
I wanna shake, I wanna dance
So count it off–one, two, three
I hear the beat, I’m in a trance
No better place to be
[Pre-Chorus]
Daytime, nighttime, anytime
Things go better with rock
I’m goin’ twenty-four hours a day
I can’t seem to stop
[Chorus]
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimme some more
Turn up the radio
I wanna feel it, got to gimme some more
[Guitar solo]
[Chorus]
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimme some more
Turn up the radio
I wanna feel it, got to gimme some more
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimme some more
Turn up the radio
I wanna feel it, got to gimme some more
Turn up the radio
I need the music, gimme some more
Turn up the radio
I wanna feel it, got to gimme some more
