Songs About Cars
Songs About Cars
Americans love their cars. So much, in fact, we can’t stop singing about them. Driving, cruising, racing and traveling in cars has long been a theme for both male and female singers. Tracy Chapman sang about a “Fast Car” and Sammy Hagar shouted “I Can’t Drive 55”. Gary Numan sang “Cars” and The Cars sang “Drive”.
Some artists have taken it further though, singing about more specific cars, some including makes and models. Here’s a look at songs about particular cars that have hit the charts.
Hot Rod Lincoln
Released in 1971 by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, Flying Airmen, the song was originally penned by Charlie Ryan, owner of the Hot Rod Lincoln that raced a Cadillac in the song. The tune included the line “Son, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’ if you don’t stop driving’ that Hot Rod Lincoln.” They just don’t write them like that anymore.
Little Deuce Coupe
When the Beach Boys sang about a “Little Deuce Coupe” in 1963, they were singing about a hot rod that was already over 30 years old. The little deuce coupe was a classic 1932 Ford that was considered the ultimate hot rod of its time. The song helped create the genre known as “Hot Rod Rock”.
Little GTO
Following the success of Little Deuce Coupe, in 1964 a group of session musicians in Nashville called Ronny and the Daytonas gave the world “Little GTO”. It reached number 4 on the Billboard rock charts. The GTO was produced by Pontiac, with the GTO coming from the Italian Gran Turismo Omologato. The GTO later became a Pontiac muscular car later in the sixties.
Little Red Corvette
Alright, Prince wasn’t really singing about a Chevy when he released Little Red Corvette on his 1982 album, “1999”. He was using the car as a metaphor for a woman who moves quickly from man to man. The theme is evidenced by the lyrics “Move over baby, gimmie the keys, I’m gonna try and tame your little red love machine.” Smooth talker that Prince.
Big Yellow Taxi
This song was written and released by Joni Mitchell in 1970 and released by Counting Crows in 2002. Rather than a song about public transportation, “Big Yellow Taxi” was a song of environmental lament and has turned into a sort of anthem for the cause. Lyrics include the iconic “Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.” Mitchell is said to have been inspired to write the song from looking at the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii and then looking at the massive paved parking lot of her hotel.
Red Camaro
You don’t have to be a country music fan to appreciate the theme of Red Camaro. The mere sight of a girl driving a red Camaro brings back fond memories for the singer. Uplifting lyrics to Red Camaro include “ Turn up the music loud, take the T-top down, and let the chrome shine.” Now THAT’s a car song.
Whether you drive a Camaro, Lincoln, Corvette, Pontiac or Ford, our team of independent automobile insurance agents has you covered. Let us do the comparison shopping for you. Connect with us today for your no-obligation price quote.
