"Rock This Town" is the second single by American rockabilly band Stray Cats, released January 30, 1981 by Arista Records in the U.K., where it peaked at No. 9 on the Singles Chart.[2] It was taken from the band's 1981 debut album, Stray Cats.
"Rock This Town" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Stray Cats | ||||
from the album Stray Cats/Built for Speed | ||||
B-side | "You Can't Hurry Love" | |||
Released | January 30, 1981 (U.K.)[1] August 31, 1982 (U.S.) | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Genre | Rockabilly | |||
Length | 2:39 (Single Version) 3:28 (Album Version) | |||
Label | Arista (UK) EMI America (U.S.) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Brian Setzer | |||
Producer(s) | Dave Edmunds | |||
Stray Cats singles chronology | ||||
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Alternative covers | ||||
Its first US release, by EMI America, was on the June 1982 album Built for Speed. Released as a single on August 31, 1982, it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week of September 18, 1982, and peaked at No. 9.[3]
"Rock This Town" was listed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".[4]
The song has been featured in a variety of media, including the video games Guitar Hero II, Elite Beat Agents, and the video game based on the 2006 Pixar film Cars (video game).
Chart (1981–1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] | 38 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] | 3 |
Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 6 |
Ireland (IRMA)[7] | 6 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8] | 3 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] | 3 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] | 18 |
Norway (VG-lista)[11] | 10 |
UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 9 |
US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 9 |
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[14] | 4 |
Chart (1981) | Position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[15] | 35 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] | 56 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] | 41 |