| "Wagon Wheel" | ||||
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"Wagon Wheel" cover |
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| Song by Old Crow Medicine Show from the album O.C.M.S. | ||||
| Released | February 24, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 2003 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee | |||
| Genre | Country, folk, bluegrass | |||
| Length | 3:52 | |||
| Label | Nettwerk | |||
| Writer | Bob Dylan Ketch Secor[1] |
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| Producer | David Rawlings | |||
| O.C.M.S. track listing | ||||
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"Wagon Wheel" is the title of a song originally sketched by Bob Dylan and later completed by Old Crow Medicine Show.[2] Old Crow Medicine Show's version was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in November 2011.[3]
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The song describes a hitchhiking journey south along the eastern coast of the United States, from New England in the north-east, through Philadelphia, with the intended destination of Raleigh, North Carolina, where the protagonist hopes to see his lover.
"Wagon Wheel" is composed of two different parts. The chorus for the song comes from a demo recorded by Bob Dylan during the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid sessions. Although never officially released, the Dylan song was released on a bootleg and is usually named after the chorus and its refrain of "Rock Me Mama." Dylan's song is often credited to "A. Crudup." Although Dylan left the song an unfinished sketch, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show wrote verses for the song around Dylan's original chorus. Secor's additional lyrics transformed "Rock Me Mama" into "Wagon Wheel." Secor has stated the song is partially autobiographical. The song has become extremely popular since its inclusion on Old Crow Medicine Show's major label debut, O.C.M.S. in 2004, although the song appeared in earlier form on the now out of print "Troubles Up and Down the Road" EP in 2001. The official publishing information is Dylan/Secor.
Kevin John Coyne, reviewing the song for Country Universe, gave it an A+ rating, calling it "one of country music's all-time great sing-alongs."[4]
The song is extremely popular at North Carolina State University due to the song's numerous mentions of Raleigh, North Carolina, where North Carolina State University is located. "Wagon Wheel" is widely used by students and fans as a unofficial Fight Song at Sporting Events and Tailgate party.
The song is tremendously popular in Huntsville, Alabama. Known locally as, "Huntsville's favorite song," it can be found on most jukeboxes in local bars and is covered by many local music acts. The song is also extremely popular in Johnson City, Tennessee, which is mentioned in the third verse.
In Nashville, TN the song is widely considered the new "Free Bird" commonly requested to local cover bands. All across downtown Nashville "Wagon Wheel" can be heard at every bar every night of the week.
The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including:The Menzingers, The Chicken Pickers, Great American Taxi, Against Me!, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Little Feat, Donegal X-Press, Like Men Who Dreamed, Dylan Ortego, Chris Jett, Coyote Grace, Chris Pureka, David McMillin, Jeremy McComb, Matt Andersen, The Morning Red, Mumford & Sons, Bodega, Pat Buzzard of Saving Jane, and McCormack and Lowry .[5] Joe Rood and Robby Mason of Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys have also covered Wagon Wheel as an acoustic/harmonica duo.[6] The indie rock group Red Wanting Blue often performs a popular cover of this song at their live shows.
Several evening campfire programs at Philmont Scout Ranch, including the programs at Pueblano, Clarks Fork, and Cyphers Mine, perform mashup versions of the song.
Jason Webley and Reverend Peyton recorded a version of the song, titled "Rock Me Mama", which sticks more closely to the "Pat Garrett" out-take and is credited to just Bob Dylan.
The Band performed the song at the Station Inn in Nashville in 2001, as part of a series of songs commemorating Bob Dylan's 60th birthday.