Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show – The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone’

“The Cover of ‘Rolling Stone'” – Single by Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show from the album Sloppy Seconds. B-side: “Queen of the Silver Dollar”.
Released on October 26, 1972.

This was written by Shel Silverstein, a best-selling author of children’s poems who was also a contributor to Playboy magazine and writer of many country hits, including A Boy Named Sue. His books include Where The Sidewalk Ends, Giraffe and The Giving Tree. Silverstein also wrote Dr. Hook’s first hit, “Sylvia’s Mother.”

This song is a parody of the rock and roll lifestyle. It pokes fun at all the things that rock stars indulge in when they’re successful: groupies, shady characters hanging around, limo rides, etc.

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Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show - The Cover of 'Rolling Stone'

Dr. Hook The Medicine Show - Cover Of The Rolling Stone03:17

The group had a funny side and a serious side, but it was the funny side that came out on stage and framed their image. The pirate theme added to the novelty of the group: originally known as the Chocolate Papers, they took the name Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show after the character in Peter Pan, which also played up the eye patch worn by their singer Ray Sawyer, who many people assumed was “Dr. Hook.” Sawyer wore the eye patch as a result of a car accident.

The group made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine on March 29, 1973, three months after this song was released. The text next to their picture read: “What’s Their Names Make The Cover.” The song was great publicity for Rolling Stone magazine, which was only five years old.