cock rock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, slang, often critical or humorous
Quick answer
What does “cock rock” mean?
A slang term for an aggressive, showy, and often sexist style of 1970s and 1980s hard rock or heavy metal music, characterized by overt masculine posturing and lyrical themes of sexual conquest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A slang term for an aggressive, showy, and often sexist style of 1970s and 1980s hard rock or heavy metal music, characterized by overt masculine posturing and lyrical themes of sexual conquest.
Can be used more broadly to describe any music, performance, or cultural artifact perceived as excessively macho, boastful, and ostentatiously heterosexual in a stereotypical and often dated way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in British and Australian cultural criticism. In American English, similar concepts might be described with phrases like 'arena rock' or 'hair metal,' though these are not perfect synonyms and have different connotations.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is a critical or mocking term. British usage may carry a stronger note of class-based mockery, while American usage might focus more on the aesthetic excess.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK music journalism and cultural discourse. Rare in formal American contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cock rock” in a Sentence
[Subject: Band/Song/Performance] is (dismissed as/considered/classic) cock rock.The [Noun: festival/show] was full of cock rock.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cock rock” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The band decided to cock-rock their way through the set, all leather trousers and windmilling guitars.
- They were accused of cock-rocking their image for the American tour.
American English
- The guitarist totally cock-rocked that solo, striking poses after every note.
adverb
British English
- The singer strutted cock-rockily across the stage.
American English
- He played the riff cock-rockily, with excessive flair.
adjective
British English
- It was a brilliantly cock-rock performance, utterly lacking in self-awareness.
- He has a very cock-rock attitude towards his equipment.
American English
- The album's cover is pure cock-rock aesthetic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, but possible in cultural studies, musicology, or gender studies papers analyzing masculinity in popular music.
Everyday
Used informally among music fans, often humorously or critically.
Technical
Not a technical musical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cock rock”
- Confusing it with 'cockney rock' (unrelated). Using it as a neutral genre label rather than a critical one. Assuming it refers to a specific sub-genre with strict musical rules.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All 'cock rock' is a type of hard rock, but not all hard rock is 'cock rock'. The term specifically describes a sub-style marked by exaggerated masculine and sexual theatrics.
Yes, but usually as a critical comparison. A modern band might be described as 'reviving the cock rock sound' or 'indulging in cock rock antics,' linking them to that earlier era's style.
It is pejorative and informal. Fans of the music may find it dismissive or reductive. It is not generally considered a severe slur but is critical in tone.
Bands often placed in this category (sometimes controversially) include Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake, early Van Halen, and certain aspects of Aerosmith's and Led Zeppelin's personae. The label is applied based on image and lyrical themes as much as music.
A slang term for an aggressive, showy, and often sexist style of 1970s and 1980s hard rock or heavy metal music, characterized by overt masculine posturing and lyrical themes of sexual conquest.
Cock rock is usually informal, slang, often critical or humorous in register.
Cock rock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒk ˌrɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːk ˌrɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All cock and no rock (humorous criticism implying more posturing than musical substance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a rooster (cock) crowing loudly to show off – combine that with electric guitars, and you have 'cock rock': loud, proud, and strutting.
Conceptual Metaphor
MASCULINITY IS A PERFORMANCE / SEXUAL AGGRESSION IS A MUSICAL GENRE
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as 'cock rock'?