sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll

English

Etymology

In use since the 1960s, later popularized by the song “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (Ian Dury and the Blockheads, 1977).

Noun

sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll pl (plural only)

1. (informal) Indulgent and pleasurable activities.
   • 1977, “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll”, performed by Ian Dury:

     Sex and drugs and rock and roll / Is all my brain and body need / Sex and drugs and rock and roll / Is very good indeed

   • 1982 December 4, Rob Kaplan, “Life in the Last Days”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 20, page 12:

     This, then, is Larry Mitchell's ultimate message: we all do have to be awake. Sex and drugs and rock 'n roll are fun, and fun is necessary, but it is not enough.

Translations

indulgent and pleasurable activities

• French: sexe, drogue et ’rock n’ roll
• German: Wein, Weib und Gesang
• Italian: sesso, droga e rock 'n' roll
• Latin: venus, vina, musica
• Portuguese: sexo, drogas e rock and roll