Everybody Likes My Rocket '88

This time I had a more in-depth look into the history of some of the more popular car songs, such Hot Rod Lincoln and Mercury Blues, which I only knew from Commander Cody and Steve Miller…

The first one was recorded originally by Charley Ryan in 1955 as an ‘answer song’ to Arkie Shibley’s Hot Rod Race hit from 1950! 

Besides these 2 classics I’ve included 2 more ‘related’ songs:  Hot Rod Nissan & Hot Rod Hybrid!

Mercury Blues also dates from the 1950s and was recorded by K.C. Douglas for his first album, which imho had one of the coolest album titles around: A Dead-Beat Guitar And The Mississippi Blues!

Finally, there’s at last a (relatively obscure) song from the master of car songs: Chuck Berry’s , My Mustang Ford, from 1965.

Other cars being celebrated here include the 4WD, Chevrolet, Trans Am, Buick, Jeep, Henry Ford's Model A, Coupe de Ville, Studebaker, and of course the Rocket ‘88.

And I found a Tesla song!

Granted it’s more about politics than the car itself, but I thought it deserved a place here!

Many thanks to our regular blog visitors who came up with great suggestions:

Crab Devil, Richard, Jonder, Berni, andreyud, Stinky, efredd, and more

 

Featuring: Sam McGee / Oscar Ford / Arkie Shibley And His Mountain Dew Boys / Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats / K.C. Douglas / Charley Ryan and The Livingston Bros. / The Delicates / Chuck Berry / C. W. McCall / Mickey Jupp ft Godley & Creme / Urban Disturbance / The Barracudas / The Skeletons / Radio Birdman / Dangerous Birds / Bill Carter / The Del Fuegos / Roy Rogers / Robert Earl Keen / The Rolling Stones / The Luxurious Panthers / Tom Heinl / Jordan Zevon / Fred Mollin and the Blue Sea Band feat Pat Buchanan / Vince Vanlandingham / Marc Almond / Arthur Olins, Chris Gordon

God drives a Volkswagen Thing

Our previous Cadillac Car compilation generated a lot of response and therefore it made sense to continue this theme.

However without realizing I had already planted myself a seed in the comments which would give this theme a different twist…

 

‘Do you think there ever will be a lot of songs about present day cars? Toyota Blues? Pink Suzuki??’

 

That send me down the digital rabbit hole tracking down ‘other’ type of car songs.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover heaps of songs about non American brands as well as present day cars in various languages by at times not particularly well known artists, but overall intriguing enough to be featured here.

Whether British (the ‘naughty’ Ballad of the Mini Cooper), French (2CV, my mom used to drive one, great car!), German (the hilarious Volkswagen Thing), Japanese (Police In Toyota reggae!) or general (You're Still Not Safe In A Japanese Car & Tiny European Cars), you’re bound to have a good time here!

Featuring the following artists: The Beggarmen / Gilberto Gil / The Sports / Jumpin' John Goldsmith / Lloyd Cole & The Commotions / Taj Mahal / Arthur Adams / Clem Snide / Hugo Matthysen / Joseph Arthur / Fountains of Wayne / Henry & The Bleeders / O Martim / Asylum Street Spankers / Russell Dickerson / Media Suela Rock / Neil Camm / Plastic Tones / Savoy Brown / Andrew D. Gordon / Us / Buccaneer / Mads Kinen

Cadillac 23 Tracks

 In the vast universe of sound, where rhythms interlace with heartbeats and lyrics dance like fireflies under the moonlight, the Cadillac stands as a shimmering emblem of aspiration, freedom, and the bittersweet tales of life. It is not just a vehicle; it is a vessel that carries dreams, a mythical chariot that traverses the highways of the soul. From the sultry echoes of rhythm and blues to the booming choruses of rock, the Cadillac glides through the corridors of music, embodying desire, rebellion, and the eternal search for meaning.

Classic ChatGPT style bollocks, but the fact remains that the Cadillac definitely has become iconic and appeared countless times in songs – varying from Blues to Rock to Hip Hop, and beyond – either literally or symbolic, take your pick!

From a massive amount of Cadillac songs I cherry-picked 23 tracks and made sure to cover a wide range of styles.

I skipped a few classics (e.g. Bo Diddley’s Cadillac) and in some cases selected a cover instead of the original track (e.g. Boz Scaggs doing Moon Martin’s Cadillac Walk, Nathalie Cole tackling Springsteen’s Pink classic)…

While searching for musical Cadillacs I encountered a few weirdo’s, e.g. Guy Drake’s Welfare song which actually is embarrassing, but I doubt many of you had heard it before...

Whereas similar styled compilations tend to focus on older songs I deliberatly added some more recent ‘Cadillacs’ for your musical education, all free of charge!

Backseat's Back With Stinky

And now it's time for More Tales From The Backseat! Since the last time he swung an episode, Stinky has collected another forty fab tunes with titular and/or lyrical references to the nether regions of the automotive interior.

Stinky has crammed some big names into the backseat this time. Classic rockers like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, John Mellencamp, and Boz Scaggs. Punks like the Dead Boys, Ramones, and Undertones. Blood, Sweat & Tears are rubbing shoulders with Blue Oyster Cult -- just take a look in the rear view mirror if you don't believe me!

There may be no room to rhumba in a sports car, but you can find Heaven in the backseat if you're lovable and limber.

Gettin' Stinky In The Backseat

Car Trouble inspired a spinoff series of songs about getting into a different kind of trouble in the back seat (which is, as reader Nancy McClelland calls it, the "most favorite part of any car")! We haven't conducted a formal poll here at the blog, but Stinky and I suspect that most automotive enthusiasts would agree.

What we can report is that you can drive, boogie, bowl, or even play bingo in the back seat. But statistically speaking, the activity most frequently described in these songs is the sharing of affection. Some tunesmiths tenderly allude to romantic rambles in the rumble seat, while others are more specific (and inventive) in their explorations. 

But don't assume that it's all fun and games. The Royal Shandels caution listeners to "Be Careful With Your Carful", and excessive erotic exercise can lead to unplanned parenthood, as Paul Evans' tune "Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Back Seat" can attest. That type of trouble takes the car out of carnal calisthenics, or vice versa. Perhaps the "Backseat Education" curriculum (as outlined herein by Zodiac Mindwarp and his orchestra) should include contraception and family planning? Let the listener decide, with Stinky as your guide, as we venture into Volume One of a brand new series of backseat adventures! 

More Car Trouble Every Day

Stinky's got car trouble again. Twenty-six troubled tunes sharing a theme of ignition issues, piston problems, bothersome belts... every headache under the hood. If you have a car, you know the story.

Once again, Stinky has combed the crates for classic songs of car trouble, as well as rarities like "This Old Bomb Of Mine" and "Put Your Brakes On, Papa".

There are some oldies but goodies (another Jan & Dean tune, and two Chuck Berry covers), plus some new wave and punk rock (Dead Kennedys, Naked Raygun, and Billie Joe Armstrong).

There are famous names, old friends like Al Anderson (from NRBQ) and Billy Bremner (from Rockpile), and more than a few artists who are new to me. I sent Stinky a half dozen nominees for Volume 3. He appreciated all the comments on Volume 1, so hopefully some of your favorites and mine will make the cut. Keep the suggestions coming, and drive friendly!

Stinky's Got Car Trouble!

A new theme for another of Stinky's Homemade Records! This one's dedicated to Chuck Berry (the king of automobile songs). First generation rockers like Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent are represented. The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean are here too. There are pub rockers, cowpunks, rockabilly revivalists, and more!

If you created your own compilation on the theme of "car trouble", you might come up with a few of the classics included here. But it takes a mixtape maestro like Stinky to dig up tracks like "My Hearse (It's Double Parked)" by 1313 Mockingbird Lane, or "A Good Mechanic Is Hard To Find" by The Pimps. 

I have it on good authority that Stinky's already putting the finishing touches on Car Trouble Volume 2. I suggested "Cartrouble" by Adam And The Ants, but Stinky already had that one on deck. If you have any suggestions, post them in the comments!