Hot Rod Race
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Hot Rod Race is a song written by George Wilson and first recorded by Arkie Shibley in 1950[1][2]. It is a story of a young man, along with his wife and brother-in-law, cruising in his souped-up Ford. He gets involved in an impromptu race with another "Ford Man" in a Mercury. The race is indecisive; they stay "side-by-side." The song ends as both are passed by "a kid in a hopped-up Model A."
The song has been covered by several others, including Red Foley, Tiny Hill, Bob Williams and Jimmy Dolan; the last being the best known. The Shibley version contains that which would be considered obnoxiously politically incorrect today in the line, "We were zippin' along like white folks might...." Williams changes this to "nice folks" and Dolan's version uses "plain folks." Shibley later recorded at least five other hot rod ballads.
Hot Rod Lincoln was recorded as an answer song in 1955. It was written by Charlie Ryan (who had also recorded a version of Hot Rod Race) and W. S. Stevenson. It was first recorded by Ryan, recording as Charlie Ryan and The Livingston Brothers.[3]. It begins, "You heard the story of the hot rod race, where the Fords and Mercurys were setting the pace...I was the kid in the Model A." The 1959 version, on 4 Star, as Charlie Ryan and The Timberline Riders, is probably better known. The version that may be considered most popular is Johnny Bond's 1960 hit on Republic Records. Bond's Lincoln has eight cylinders ("and uses them all") rather than the 12 cylinders pulling Ryan's Model A. Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen's may be the best known version today; it was released in 1972 and went to #9 on the Billboard charts. Cody's version is essentially true to the original--with only minor changes.
The songs are a defining anthem of the hot rod community and many different versions exist as the words have been altered by each new group. While Arkie Shibley died in 1975, Charlie Ryan, now 90 years old, is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He is still performing.
[edit] Covers
Hot Rod Lincoln is also a signature song of Texas-based Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.
On their 1989 album Allroy's Revenge, US pop-punk band ALL recorded a cover of Hot Rod Lincoln, this time placing the story in the setting of San Pedro, California.
[edit] 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
- http://www.geocities.com/shakin_stacks/arkieshibley.txt
