The prompt from Jim:
Our theme this week is Automobile, Car, Jalopy, Vehicle suggested by Melanie B Cee of Sparks From A Combustible Mind.
When I saw the prompt for today I immediately thought of the song “Thunder Road” but the song itself wasn’t really about the car. I felt it still applied, but then I knew I would easily go down a rabbit hole with the movie, Robert Mitchum, the history of moonshinin’, and how this region of the country was part of the history of that time. I think it may morph into a blog post all on its own sometime in the future.
Instead, I decided to give a shout out to hubby’s favorite car with the song “SS 396” recorded by Paul Revere and the Raiders. The song had little if any airplay as it was a promotional song requested by Chevrolet to promote the 1966 Chevelle SS 396 (hubby’s was a ‘67).
The flip side of this record is “Camaro” by the English group The Cyrkle (“Red Rubber Ball”). I would say it is pretty unusual to have two bands featured on one 45. And both promo songs about cars!
SS 396
Lyrics from Genius Lyrics
Forget about your Hemi’s and your GTO’s
I’ve got a new machine, and she really gos
When I pass you up on the drag strip you’ll know darn well
You’ve been beat by a porcupine V8 Chevelle
Taching it up now, you better be quick
Cus’ nothing can outrun my SS 396
There’s lots of chrome goodies sitting under the hood
She looks real pretty, like a tough one should
On the redline tires, she sits real mean
She’s the coolest hot one… you’ve ever seen
Crusing the highways, getting my kicks
Everyone’s checking out my SS 396
Look at her go (look at her go)
She sits real low (she sits real low)
Dealer tires grip the road
Her deep breathing fours (deep breathing fours)
And they’ll never settle short (never settle short)
Feel the rear end grab the load
Take you for a ride man, it’s really a treat
Strap yourself into a bucket seat
The four speed tranny is starting to whine
You’ll know about the Super Sport
Once we get off the line
Crusing the highway, getting my kicks
Nothing can match my…SS 396
Look at her go (look at her go)
She sits real low (she sits real low)
Dealer tires grip the road
Her deep breathing fours (deep breathing fours)
And they’ll never settle short (never settle short)
Feel the rear end grab the load
Take you for a ride man, it’s really a treat
Strap yourself into a bucket seat
The four speed tranny is starting to whine
You’ll know about the Super Sport
Once we get off the line
Nothing can match my…SS 396
SS 396
SS 396
SS 396
Song Lyric Sunday is hosted every Sunday by Jim Adams. If you would like to join in the fun, check out his blog for the rules and to take in all the other music posted by other blogg
Great choice Maggie. Certainly a product of its time, both the car and the record!
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Yes, young men and their cars were such a statement of that era.
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My guess is that, since both songs were promoting Chevy products, Chevrolet probably had it done that way. By the way, The Cyrkle are an American band…
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Really? I saw they were English. Dang – if I cannot trust the internet what will I do? 😂
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Well I never heard this one or it’s b side. What’s more I have not heard of different groups on different sides of a 45 let alone both car promos! Great choice 💜
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Thanks, Willow! It was a bit of an oddity made just for the car dealerships I imagine.
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It interesting isn’t it 💜
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It is!
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💜💜
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I was excited to see this challenge, as there are so many car songs. However, I decided to revisit a song from my past that I always enjoyed, using the prompt ‘Vehicle’ which was the title of the song. A one-hit wonder from 1970, when I was just 18.
This was from The Ides Of March, an American band. Sadly, the video is poor quality, but the sound is acceptable.
The lyrics are not at all politically correct these days!
Best wishes, Pete.
Hey well
I’m a friendly stranger in the black Sedan
Won’t you hop inside my car?
I got pictures, got candy
I’m a lovable man
And I can take you to the nearest star
I’m your vehicle, baby
I’ll take you anywhere you want to go
I’m your vehicle, woman
By now I’m sure you know
That I love ya (love ya)
I need ya (need ya)
I want ya
Got to have you, child
Great God in heaven you know I love you
Well, if you want to be a movie star
I’ll get a ticket to Hollywood
But if you want to stay just like you are
You know I think you really should
I’m your vehicle, baby
I’ll take you anywhere you want to go
I’m your vehicle, woman
By now I’m sure you know
That I love ya (love ya)
I need ya (need ya)
I want ya
Got to have you, child
Great God in heaven you know I love you
Oh, you know I do
Well, I’m the friendly stranger in the black Sedan
Won’t you hop inside my car
I got pictures, candy
I’m a lovable man
And I can take you to the nearest star
I’m your vehicle, baby
I’ll take you anywhere you want to go
I’m your vehicle, woman
By now I’m sure you know
That I love ya (love ya)
I need ya (need ya)
I want ya
I got to have you
Great God in heaven you know I love you
And I’m your vehicle, babe
You know I love ya (love ya)
I need ya (need ya)
I want ya
Got to have you, child
Great God in heaven you know I love you
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: James M. Peterik
Vehicle lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Concord Music Publishing
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I love that song, Pete. I know the words by heart!
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Glad to hear that. I had the .45 single, and really enjoyed that ‘big brass’ sound! I played it to death at the time. 🙂
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Thanks for contributing this song Maggie,
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I was not able to do much research, Jim, but it was fun.
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