You’ve heard of flash mobs, but you ain’t heard anything like this. The amazing phenomenon that is Rockin’ 1000 is just that, a band comprised of a thousand members: singers, drummers, guitarists – hundreds of them – mind-bogglingly playing rock anthems in unison at mega stadium concerts and dubbed “the biggest rock band on earth.”
The enterprise started in Italy and was originally simply designed as a lover letter to the Foo Fighters asking them to come to their town, Cesena, to play (they did!). That online performance took flight and turned into a more structured unit which now plays concerts and includes members “from newbies to professionals, from kids to retired people, from metalheads to jazzmen…”
Indeed, prospective members are invited to apply on the band’s website.
A highlight performance, suitably depicted in various places online, including at rocking1000.com and on YouTube, took place in Paris in 2019. (The group is advertising a return engagement at the Stade de France on May 14, 2022).
Imagine songs like “We Will Rock You,” “Seven Nation Army,” and “Highway to Hell” played by a thousand rabid fans (1,002 to be precise at one concert, apparently), led by a dignified, but dynamic conductor.
For the purposes of this column, I picked The Clash’s 1982 classic “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” After all, the answer is obvious: Stay!
Lyrics
Darlin’ you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I’ll be here ’til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
It’s always tease tease tease
You’re happy when I’m on my knees
One day is fine and next is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on an’ let me know
Should I Stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An’ if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision’s buggin’ me (Indecisión me molesta)
If you don’t want me, set me free (Si no me quieres, librame)
Exactly who am I supposed to be (Dime! Qué tengo ser?)
Don’t you know which clothes even fit me? (Sabes que ropa me queda?)
Come on and let me know (Pero me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (Me debo ir o quedarme?)
Split
(Doble!)
(Me frío o lo soplo?)
(Es verdad)
(Rrattarrattarrattaa…)
(No)
Should I stay or should I go now? (Yo me frío o lo soplo?)
Should I stay or should I go now? (Yo me frío o lo soplo?)
If I go there will be trouble (Si me voy, va a haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (Si me quedo, es doble)
So you gotta let me know (Pero me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (Me frío o lo soplo?)
Should I stay or should I go now? (Me frío o lo soplo?)
If I go there will be trouble (Si me voy, va a haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (Si me quedo, es doble)
So you gotta let me know (Pero me tienes que decir)
Should I stay or should I go?