Greatest All-Time Trucking Songs?

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I'm trying to put together a few CDs of the best trucking songs. Here's the beginning of what I have--help me, I have to get this thing past Dallas by tomorrow night. What am I missing? What rock and roll songs fit here? Foreign-language trucking songs? What other country tunes are essential?

Red Sovine--Teddy Bear; Phantom 409; Little Joe; Freightliner; Gearjammer and the Hobo; Giddyup Go
Minnie Pearl--Giddyup Go Answer
Dave Dudley--Six Days on the Road; Truck Driving Son of a Gun
Jimmy Martin--Widowmaker
Gary Stewart--Caffein (sic), Nicotine, Benzedrine; Big Bertha, the Truck-Driving Queen
Del Reeves--Girl on the Billboard
T. H. Music Festival--White Knight; Convoy
Willis Bros.--Give Me Forty Acres to Turn This Rig Around
Tiny Harris--Endless Black Ribbon
Rod Hart--CB Savage
Coleman Wilson--Passing Zone Blues
Moore and Napier--Truck Drivin' Queen
Jimmy Griggs--Overloaded Diesel
Lonnie Irving--Pinball Machine
Claude Gray--How Fast Them Trucks Can Go


edd s hurt (ddduncan), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:25 (twenty-one years ago)

C.W. McCall, "Convoy." Try as you might to deny it, it's true.

The Obligatory Sourpuss (Begs2Differ), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Eddie Kendricks, "Keep On Truckin'"

and the theme from Smokey & the Bandit ("we got a long way to go / and a short time to get there" -- was that Jerry Reed?)

Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Also Eddie Rabbitt, "Drivin' My Life Away"

Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

"Truck Drivin' Man"!! (although offhand I don't know who did the original).

Burr (Burr), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Tom Waits - Big Joe and Phantom 309

tremendoid (tremendoid), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Now THIS is my kind of thread! Seriously and unironically. And I don't even wear trucker hats.

I've always wanted to make a compilation of these but wouldn't have had any idea where to start other than Agriculture Club's "Rubber Duck Breakdown" (featuring the anthemic line "Where've all the good truck drivin' songs gone?").

What we want? Sex with T.V. stars! What you want? Ian Riese-Moraine! (Eastern Ma, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 21:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Dick Curless "Tombstone Every Mile"
Dick Curless "Drag Em off the Interstate, Sock it to Em JP Blues"
Red Simpson "Nitro Express"
Red Simpson "I'm A Truck"
Red Simpson "The Flying Saucer Man and the Truck Driver"
Buck Owens "Truck Drivin' Man"
Kay Adams "Little Pink Mack"
Jim and Jesse "Diesel on My Tail"
Johnny Horton "I'm Coming Home"
Merle Haggard "White Line Fever"
Cowboy Jack Derrick "Truck Driving Man"
Modern Mountaineers "Everybody's Truckin"

Allen Baekeland (Allen Baekeland), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

There's a newish band Dutch Kills who do a truck driving song indie rock style ... it's called "Semi"

zaxxon25 (zaxxon25), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 22:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Junior Brown - Broke Down South of Dallas

theophilus jones (theophilus), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 22:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Pet Shop Boys - "The Truck Driver and His Mate"

Seb (Seb), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 22:57 (twenty-one years ago)

According to the video, "Horses" by Palace Music (re-recorded by Bonnie Prince Billy) is about truckers. Sorta makes sense. Truck driver'd rather be riding horses.

Derek Krissoff (Derek), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 22:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Drive-By Truckers - 18 Wheels Of Love!!!

stephen morris (stephen morris), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 23:28 (twenty-one years ago)

"Truckin" by The Grateful Dead.

Bobby Peru, Tuesday, 22 March 2005 23:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Weird Al Yankovic: "The Truck Drivin' Song"

Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 00:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Garth Brooks "Papa Loved Mama"

dave q (listerine), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 00:34 (twenty-one years ago)

eagles "take it easy"

shine headlights on me (electricsound), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

All great choices! Allen Baekeland, you are the man!

Another one I remembered--Commander Cody, "Mama Hated Diesels."

Thank all of you!

edd s hurt (ddduncan), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 02:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Merle, "Movin' On."

Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 02:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Byrds, "Drug Store Truck Driving Man" (OK, it's really about Ralph Emery).

edd s hurt (ddduncan), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 02:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Dale watson: Hey Driver; Truckin' Man.

Billy Pilgrim, Wednesday, 23 March 2005 02:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Couple of no-brainers:
Golden Earring - "Radar Love"
Little Feat - "Willin'"

brianiac (briania), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 02:52 (twenty-one years ago)

18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses - Kathy Mattea
6 Days On the Road - Sawyer Brown

jim wentworth (wench), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 03:05 (twenty-one years ago)

C'mon people... King Of The Road Roger Miller

VegemiteGrrl (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 03:05 (twenty-one years ago)

George Thorogood - Gear Jammer

Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 03:32 (twenty-one years ago)

already got two dave dudley, but you really should include "i got lost". it's great.
over.

m0stly clean (m0stly clean), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 04:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Frank Zappa, "Truck Driver Divorce"
(It's very sad... steel guitars usually weep all over it...)

Curious George Finds the Ether Bottle (Rock Hardy), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 05:03 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.ofb.net/~epstein/sl/04/20040109-trucker-hat.jpg

Bimble... (Bimble...), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 05:13 (twenty-one years ago)

This comp is pretty good

http://wwws.mmjbdata.com/graphics/www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album_image/amg/dre900/e918/e91872ha6lq.jpg

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 05:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Zillions of stuff here and here

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 05:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Big Black "The Power of Independent Trucking"

Er, didn't anyone mention the convoy song? It's completely horrible, yet great..

daria g (daria g), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 06:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Motorhead, "(We Are) The Road Crew"

Hmmmm...hey, howbout anything at all by the Crown Electric Co.'s most famous truck driver:
http://truckweb.ca/images/BenardBoudreau/section4/elvis.jpg
(Can't spell "trucking" without "King"!)

Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 07:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm partial to Bill Anderson and the Po' Boys "Truck Drivin' Man". But then I'm partial to Bill Anderson.

Stormy Davis (diamond), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 07:32 (twenty-one years ago)

kay adams - wheels & tears, i must get that soon!

charltonlido (gareth), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 07:35 (twenty-one years ago)

ANYTHING by Deadbolt

NUXX (NUXX), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 17:50 (twenty-one years ago)

The Fall "The Container Drivers"
The Fall "Pinball Machine"

Silky Sensor (sexyDancer), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 19:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Nervous Norvus "Transfusion" (not technically about trucking, but about driving)

Maria D. (Maria D.), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

ZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM
Tooling down the hightway doing 79
I'm a twin pipe papa and I'm feelin fine
Hey man dig that was that a red stop sign-
(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)
Transfusion transfusion
I'm just a solid mess of contusions
Never never never gonna speed again
Slip the blood to me Bud

I jump in my rod about a quarter to nine
I gotta make a date with that chick of mine
I cross the center line man you gotta make time-
(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)
Transfusion transfusion
Oh man I got the cotton pickin convolutions
Never never never gonna speed again
Shoot the juice to me Bruce

My foot's on the throttle and it's made of lead
But I'm a fast ridding daddy with a real cool head
I'ma gonna pass a truck on the hill ahead-
(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)
Transfusion transfusion
My red corpsuckles (sic) are in mass confusion
Never never never gonna speed again
Pass the crimson to me Jimson

I took a little drink and I'm feelin right
I can fly right over everything everything in sight
There's a slow poking cat I'm gonna pass him on the right-
(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)
Transfusion transfusion
I'm a real gone paleface and that's no illusion
I'ma never never never gonna speed again
Pass the claret to me Barrett

A rollin down the mountain on a rainy day
Oh when you see me coming better start to pray
I'ma cuttin up the road and I'm the boss all the way-
(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)
Transfusion transfusion
Oh doc pardon me for this crazy intrusion
I'm never never never gonna speed again
Pump the fluid in me Louie

I'm burning up the highway early this morn
I'm passing everybody oh nothing but corn
Man outa my way I don't drive with my horn-
(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)
Transfusion transfusion
Oh nurse I'm gonna make a new resolution
I'm never never never gonna speed again
Put a gallon in me Alan

Oh barnyard drivers are found in two classes
Line crowding hogs and speeding jackasses
So rememmber to slow down today
Hey daddy-o
Make that type O huh
Atta-boy
(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)

Maria D. (Maria D.), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

King Of The Road Roger Miller

OTM! I love this album!

nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh shoot! Gang of Four - "Cheeseburger" has a trucking theme! Throw in the live version from Hammersmith Palais that appeared on the Another Day, Another Dollar EP!

What we want? Sex with T.V. stars! What you want? Ian Riese-Moraine! (Eastern Ma, Wednesday, 23 March 2005 20:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I love that Nervous Norvus song. It got me through a whole year when I was thirteen.

moley, Wednesday, 23 March 2005 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

br5-49 - 18 wheels and a crowbar

I'll have to consult my large collection of truckin' tunes for more, but I recommend this comp for stuff that's beyond the usual classics:
http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/g00311.jpg

Avi (Avi), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

The Pastels: "Sit On It Mother" and "Truck Train Tractor"
Pop-O-Pies: "Truckin'" ("Tired of travelin'/I wanna go to McDonalds!")

mike a, Wednesday, 23 March 2005 21:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Did I miss it, or did no one yet mention:

Jerry Reed: "East Bound and Down," the theme to Smokey and the Bandit.

(and of course there is also "texas bound and flyin'," the theme to Smokey and the Bandit II, but that's not in the "best" category).

Scott CE (Scott CE), Wednesday, 23 March 2005 22:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Tom Robinson Band--"2-4-6-8 Motorway"

late adopter, Wednesday, 23 March 2005 23:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Ronnie Milsap - "Prisoner of the Highway".

masked lamb, Friday, 1 April 2005 05:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Johnny Bond "Thunder on the Road"

el sabor de gene (yournullfame), Friday, 1 April 2005 05:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Weird Al Yankovoic - The Truck Driver Song

Bryan Moore (Bryan Moore), Friday, 1 April 2005 06:46 (twenty-one years ago)

oops already said, apologies

Bryan Moore (Bryan Moore), Friday, 1 April 2005 06:46 (twenty-one years ago)

"Looking at the world through a windshield" -- Son Volt (cover)

giboyeux (skowly), Friday, 1 April 2005 07:48 (twenty-one years ago)

"I Like Truckin'" - Not the Nine O'Clock News

darren (darren), Friday, 1 April 2005 08:33 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...
Just wandered onto to this researching correct material for playlists, thought I'd contribute...

CW McCall "Wolfcreek Pass" And the "Old Home Filler Up an' Keep on Trucking cafe"

So what he was a guy who wrote jingles! : )

Earle Scruggs "Fogg Moutain Breakdown" Go find the lyris, it's about being alone and away..

Or you could go the other way with "Move B*t*h get out tha way"?

W K M..., Wednesday, 10 May 2006 20:13 (twenty years ago)

I cannot imagine a large bearded man driving an eighteen-wheeler down I-95 or whatnot to the accompaniment of the Pastels.

Disturbingly, I also cannot stop imagining it.

Pavement -- "Heaven is a Truck" might actually work, though.

Pessimist (Pessimist), Wednesday, 10 May 2006 22:39 (twenty years ago)


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