Hot Rod Lincoln: Difference between revisions
Bongwarrior (talk | contribs) m Reverted edits by 173.19.20.71 (talk) to last version by ClueBot NG |
Anabolic95 (talk | contribs) Corrected errors in lyrics and location references |
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"'''Hot Rod Lincoln'''" was recorded in 1955, as an [[answer song]] to "[[Hot Rod Race]]", a 1951 hit for [[Arkie Shibley]] and his Mountain Dew Boys. |
"'''Hot Rod Lincoln'''" was recorded in 1955, as an [[answer song]] to "[[Hot Rod Race]]", a 1951 hit for [[Arkie Shibley]] and his Mountain Dew Boys. Hot Rod Race tells the story of a late-model Ford and Mercury who end up racing along the highway, neither driver gaining an advantage, and staying "neck and neck" until they are both overtaken (to their amazement) by a kid in "a hopped-up Model A". |
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''Hot Rod Lincoln'' was written by [[Charlie Ryan]] (who had also recorded a version of ''Hot Rod Race'') and W. S. Stevenson. It begins with a direct reference to Shibley's earlier song/story, stating "You heard the story of the hot rod race, |
''Hot Rod Lincoln'' was written by [[Charlie Ryan]] (who had also recorded a version of ''Hot Rod Race'') and W. S. Stevenson. It begins with a direct reference to Shibley's earlier song/story, stating "You heard the story of the hot rod race that fatal day, when the Ford and the Mercury went out to play, well this is the inside story and I'm here to say, I'm the kid that was a-drivin' that Model A." |
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Ryan owned a real hot rod that was a 12-cylinder Lincoln chassis shortened about four feet and with a Model A body fitted to it. Thus the song explains how in "[[Hot Rod Race]]" a kid in a Model A could have outrun late-model Ford and Mercury sedans. Ryan claimed to have actually raced his hot rod in [[Lewiston, ID]], driving up the Spiral Highway (former [[U.S. Route 95 in Idaho|US 95]]) to the top of Lewiston Hill. His song, however, keeps the same location as "[[Hot Rod Race]]", namely the Grapevine Hill outside San Pedro in California. |
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The first, 1955, release of ''Hot Rod Lincoln'' was recorded by co-writer Ryan, recording as Charlie Ryan and The Livingston Brothers.<ref>Gotham Records issue 412</ref>. Ryan's 1959 version, on 4 Star, as Charlie Ryan and The Timberline Riders, is probably better known. |
The first, 1955, release of ''Hot Rod Lincoln'' was recorded by co-writer Ryan, recording as Charlie Ryan and The Livingston Brothers.<ref>Gotham Records issue 412</ref>. Ryan's 1959 version, on 4 Star, as Charlie Ryan and The Timberline Riders, is probably better known. |
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The 1960 version by [[Johnny Bond]] was a hit for Republic Records. Bond's Lincoln has eight cylinders ("and uses them all") rather than the 12 cylinders pulling Ryan's Model A. |
The 1960 version by [[Johnny Bond]] was a hit for Republic Records. Bond's Lincoln has eight cylinders ("and uses them all") rather than the 12 cylinders pulling Ryan's Model A. |
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The 1972 release by [[Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen]] went to #9 on the [[Billboard charts]] and #7 in Canada. Cody's version is |
The 1972 release by [[Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen]] went to #9 on the [[Billboard charts]] and #7 in Canada. Cody's version is largely true to the original with changes that most people don't notice. However, the first line "You've heard the story of the hot rod race when the Fords and the Lincolns were setting the pace..." completely misses telling the listener that this song is the story of the kid and his Model A that outran the guys in the late-model Ford and Mercury in the earlier song. |
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''Hot Rod Lincoln'' and ''Hot Rod Race'' are defining [[anthem]]s of the [[hot rod]] community. |
''Hot Rod Lincoln'' and ''Hot Rod Race'' are defining [[anthem]]s of the [[hot rod]] community. |
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Revision as of 17:53, 6 December 2010
"Hot Rod Lincoln" was recorded in 1955, as an answer song to "Hot Rod Race", a 1951 hit for Arkie Shibley and his Mountain Dew Boys. Hot Rod Race tells the story of a late-model Ford and Mercury who end up racing along the highway, neither driver gaining an advantage, and staying "neck and neck" until they are both overtaken (to their amazement) by a kid in "a hopped-up Model A".
Hot Rod Lincoln was written by Charlie Ryan (who had also recorded a version of Hot Rod Race) and W. S. Stevenson. It begins with a direct reference to Shibley's earlier song/story, stating "You heard the story of the hot rod race that fatal day, when the Ford and the Mercury went out to play, well this is the inside story and I'm here to say, I'm the kid that was a-drivin' that Model A."
Ryan owned a real hot rod that was a 12-cylinder Lincoln chassis shortened about four feet and with a Model A body fitted to it. Thus the song explains how in "Hot Rod Race" a kid in a Model A could have outrun late-model Ford and Mercury sedans. Ryan claimed to have actually raced his hot rod in Lewiston, ID, driving up the Spiral Highway (former US 95) to the top of Lewiston Hill. His song, however, keeps the same location as "Hot Rod Race", namely the Grapevine Hill outside San Pedro in California.
The first, 1955, release of Hot Rod Lincoln was recorded by co-writer Ryan, recording as Charlie Ryan and The Livingston Brothers.[1]. Ryan's 1959 version, on 4 Star, as Charlie Ryan and The Timberline Riders, is probably better known.
The 1960 version by Johnny Bond was a hit for Republic Records. Bond's Lincoln has eight cylinders ("and uses them all") rather than the 12 cylinders pulling Ryan's Model A.
The 1972 release by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen went to #9 on the Billboard charts and #7 in Canada. Cody's version is largely true to the original with changes that most people don't notice. However, the first line "You've heard the story of the hot rod race when the Fords and the Lincolns were setting the pace..." completely misses telling the listener that this song is the story of the kid and his Model A that outran the guys in the late-model Ford and Mercury in the earlier song.
Hot Rod Lincoln and Hot Rod Race are defining anthems of the hot rod community.
Arkie Shibley, who recorded a series of Hot Rod Race songs, died in 1975. Charlie Ryan died in Spokane, Washington, on February 16, 2008, at age 92. He was a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Other covers
Many different versions exist, with the words slightly altered by each new group.
"Hot Rod Lincoln" is also a signature song of Texas-based Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.
Roger Miller also recorded the song, with a few words changed.
In his live show Bill Kirchen (original guitarist on the Commander Cody recording of "Hot Rod Lincoln") performs an extended version of the song, in which he solos in the styles of many famous rock, blues, power pop, punk, and country guitarists.
On their 1989 album Allroy's Revenge, US pop-punk band ALL recorded a cover of "Hot Rod Lincoln". Their version, like Commander Cody's, places the story in the setting of San Pedro, California.
Jim Varney recorded a version that appeared in the film version of The Beverly Hillbillies in which Varney starred as Jed Clampett.
In 2002 Les Claypool recorded a version of "Hot Rod Lincoln" for the NASCAR on Fox album Crank It Up.
Lawrence Ramsay released a version of "Hot Rod Lincoln", March 2010, on the album "Blowin' Cash", featuring the guitar works of Dauwynn Cyncore.
References
- ^ Gotham Records issue 412
External links
- Rockabilly Hall of Fame - Documents the history of the song through dozens of covers, including lyrics.
- www.rockabilly.nl - Short article about Arkie Shibley and his difficulties in releasing the song.
- www.hot-rod-lincoln.com - The official site of Charlie Ryan