The Stroke

"The Stroke" is a song written and recorded by American rock artist Billy Squier. It was released in 1981 as the debut single from his 3× Platinum album Don't Say No.

This was Squier's first single to chart, reaching No. 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was a bigger hit on rock radio, reaching No. 3 on the Top Tracks chart. It also reached the UK Singles Chart, rising to No. 52. It was named the 59th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

An acoustic blues version, titled 'Stroke Me Blues', was later recorded and released by Squier on his 1998 album Happy Blue.

In popular culture

 * The song was sampled in "Berzerk" by Eminem on his 2013 album The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
 * In 2007, the song was used in an episode of the Adult Swim series Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil.
 * The song was the inspiration for the 1989 rap artist Maestro Fresh-Wes hit "Let Your Backbone Slide".
 * Rapper Mickey Avalon samples the song in his 2009 song "Stroke Me".