[7]: 71, 73  Mellencamp told Timothy White in a 1986 article for the Illinois Entertainer of his decision to include "R.O.C.K.

I was only including it on the cassette and CD copies of Scarecrow as a bonus party track, but my manager loved the energy of it and I thought, 'Yeah!

The recording was produced by Mellencamp (under the alias "Little Bastard") and Don Gehman, engineered by Gehman and Greg Edward; backing Mellencamp on the recording were Kenny Aronoff (drums), Toby Myers (bass), Mike Wanchic (guitars, background vocals), Larry Crane (guitars, flutophone), John Cascella (keyboards), and Sarah Flint (background vocals).

in the U.S.A." at the event, telling Rolling Stone that despite his opposition to Bush's political positions, "I don't see any sense in being silly about it.

[18] The song was also featured in The Simpsons episode "Eight Misbehavin'" during the scene where Apu (Hank Azaria) and Majula Nahasapeemapetilon (Jan Hooks)'s octuplets were being used in a zoo show.