"Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)" is a 1973 song written and originally performed by Australian singer Kevin Johnson, most famously covered by American singer Mac Davis.
Johnson's version reached number four in Australia. The guitar solo in Johnson's version was played by Rory O'Donoghue.<br />In Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom, only Johnson's original version charted.
In the United States, it was Mac Davis who had the primary hit version in 1974, although three versions of the song became American chart hits. His version reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Rock 'N' Roll" is the first track on his sixth studio album All the Love in the World. The song was the lead single of two issued from the LP, the other being the title track, and both of which became hit records.
Dutch band the Cats released a version in the Netherlands in 1973 on EMI Nederland. The song reached #3 on both the Single Top 100 and Dutch Top 40.
In Canada, Terry Jacks' version made the charts in 1975. It also reached number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100. His version appeared on the album Y' Don't Fight the Sea and was a bonus track appearing on Seasons in the Sun.
New Zealand singer Craig Scott covered the song in 1974, reaching #13.
In 1977, Gary Glitter recorded a version on his album Silver Star.
In 1973, Joe Dassin recorded "Les plus belles années de ma vie" ("The Best Years of My Life"), a French cover.
In 1975, Peter Belli recorded a Danish cover, titled "Rock'N'Roll, jeg gav dig mine aller bedste ÃÂ r".
In 1976, Brimkló recorded an Icelandic cover, tited "Rock'n Roll, ÃÂll mÃÂn bestu ÃÂr".
In 1975, Esko Rahkonen recorded a Finnish cover, titled "Rock'n'Roll sen teit" ("Rock'n'Roll You Did It"). The same version was recorded also by Kai Hyttinen, also in 1975. The Finnish lyrics were written by Veikko 'Vexi' Salmi.