‘The Stroke’ is a song written and recorded by American rock artist Billy Squier. It was released in 1981 as the debut single from his 3× Platinum album Don't Say No. This was Squier's first single to chart, reaching No. 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was a bigger hit on rock radio, reaching No. 3 on the Top Tracks chart. It also reached the UK Singles Chart, rising to No. 52. It was named the 59th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.
‘The Stroke’ was inspired by the music industry, Squier’s experiences with labels, executives, and the overall machine that so readily uses, manipulates, and exploits artists. The song became a way for him to call out those evils while also offering up one of rock’s most memorable songs. Squier advises that if you want to be in this business, you’ve got to learn how to play its dirty game, one that involves letting the industry “stroke” you, or rather turn you into one of their toys.
It was never intended for “The Stroke” to sound as sexual as it initially does. “I take songwriting very seriously and I wouldn’t want anything I do to be construed as frivolous or mundane,” the rocker once explained to the Baltimore Sun. “Plenty of people saw sexual connotations in [‘The Stroke’] but to me, it was about what goes on in the business world,” Squier added, saying it doesn’t bother him too much. “I mean, I’m happy if people get something sexual out of it, but that was not its original intent or purpose.”
Label – CapitolSongwriter – William Squier
Producers – Reinhold Mack, Billy Squier
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]Now everybody
Have you heard?
If you're in the game
Then the stroke's the word
Don't take no rhythm
Don't take no style
Got a thirst for killin'
Grab your vial, yeah
Woo!
[Verse 2]
You put your right hand out
Give a firm handshake
Talk to me
About that one big break
Spread your ear pollution both far and wide
Keep your contributions by your side and
[Chorus]
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Could be a winner, boy, you move quite well
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Stroke!
(Stroke me, stroke me)
You got your number down
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Say you're a winner but man, you're just a sinner now
[Verse 3]
You put your left foot out
Keep it all in place
Work your way
Right into my case
First you try to bed me
You make my backbone slide
But when you find you bled me
Step on by
Keep on
[Chorus]
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Give me the business all night long
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Stroke!
(Stroke me, stroke me)
You're so together, boy
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Say you're a winner but man, you're just a sinner now
[Bridge]
Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!
Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!
[Verse 4]
Better listen now
Said it ain't no joke
Let your conscience fail you
Just do the stroke
Don't you take no chances
Keep your eye on top
Do your fancy dances
You can't stop, you just
[Outro]
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Stroke! Stroke!
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Stroke! Stroke!
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Stroke! Stroke!
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Stroke!
Do it
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Stroke!
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Keep on Stroke!
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Yeah, you're gonna Stroke
(Stroke me, stroke me)
Say you're a winner but man, you're just a sinner now