The Stroke
Encyclopedia
"The Stroke" is the title of a song written and recorded by American rock artist Billy Squier
. It was released in May 1981 as the debut single from his 1981 album Don't Say No
.
Perhaps his most enduringly popular song, this was Squier's first single, reaching #17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
. It was an even bigger hit at rock radio, hitting #3 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Squier's song even dented the British pop charts
, rising to #52. It was named the 59th best hard rock song of all time by VH1
.
Billy Squier
William Haislip "Billy" Squier is an American rock musician. Squier had a string of arena rock hits in the 1980s. He is best known for the song "The Stroke" on his 1981 album release Don't Say No...
. It was released in May 1981 as the debut single from his 1981 album Don't Say No
Don't Say No
-Personnel:*Billy Squier: Vocals, Guitars, Percussion, Piano*Cary Sharaf: Guitars*Alan St. Jon: Keyboards*Mark Clarke: Bass, Backing Vocals*Bobby Chouinard: Drums-Later Samples:*"The Stroke"**"Hip Hop Is Dead" by Nas from the album Hip Hop Is Dead...
.
Perhaps his most enduringly popular song, this was Squier's first single, reaching #17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It was an even bigger hit at rock radio, hitting #3 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Squier's song even dented the British pop charts
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, rising to #52. It was named the 59th best hard rock song of all time by VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
.
Chart positions
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Rock Tracks | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 17 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 3 |
| Canada RPM Top Singles | 7 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 32 |
| UK Singles Chart | 52 |
In popular culture
- The song appeared in the films Billy MadisonBilly MadisonBilly Madison is a 1995 American comedy film directed by Tamra Davis and starring Adam Sandler, in the title role, Bradley Whitford, Bridgette Wilson, Norm Macdonald and Darren McGavin. The film was written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, and produced by Universal Studios. It made over $25.5 million...
(1995), Small SoldiersSmall SoldiersSmall Soldiers is a 1998 American action/science fiction film directed by Joe Dante starring Gregory Smith and Kirsten Dunst. The film revolves around two teenagers , who get caught in the middle of a war between two factions of sentient action figures, the Gorgonites and the Commando...
(1998), Let's Go to PrisonLet's Go to PrisonLet's Go to Prison is an American comedy that was released in theatres November 17, 2006, starring Dax Shepard, Will Arnett and Chi McBride, and directed by Bob Odenkirk....
(2006), Blades of GloryBlades of GloryBlades of Glory is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, and starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder. The movie was released on March 29, 2007 by DreamWorks and MTV Films...
(2007), Crank: High Voltage (2009) and "Larry CrowneLarry CrowneLarry Crowne is a 2011 American romantic comedy film starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. The film was directed by Hanks, who co-wrote its screenplay with Nia Vardalos...
" (2011) - "The Stroke" along with "Everybody Wants YouEverybody Wants You"Everybody Wants You" is a song written and performed by American rock singer and guitarist Billy Squier. It appeared as the first track of his 1982 album Emotions in Motion, and was released as the first single from that album, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
" and "When She Comes To Me" are available for download as of October 8, 2009 for Guitar Hero 5. - "The Stroke" was sampled in a song named "Stroke Me" by Mickey AvalonMickey AvalonMickey Avalon is an American rapper from Hollywood, California. His debut self-titled solo album was released Nov. 7, 2006 on Interscope/Shoot to Kill Records in association with MySpace Records...
in 2009, which was also featured in the advertisements for the game Duke Nukem ForeverDuke Nukem ForeverDuke Nukem Forever is a 2011 first-person shooter video game for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 developed by 3D Realms and Triptych Games and finished by Gearbox Software and Piranha Games...
. - The song was also featured in the pilot episode of The Good GuysThe Good Guys (2010 TV series)The Good Guys is an American action-comedy series about an old-school cop and a modern-day detective that premiered with a preview episode on Fox on May 19, 2010, and began airing regularly on June 7...