Hot Rod Lincoln

Hot Rod Lincoln was recorded as an answer song to "Hot Rod Race" 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. [Gotham Records issue 412] . It begins, "You heard the story of the hot rod race, where the Fords and Lincolns 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. 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.

Covers

"Hot Rod Lincoln" is also a signature song of Texas-based Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel.

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 NASCAR on FOX album Crank It Up.

References

External links

* [http://www.rockabillyhall.com/HotRodLncln1.html Rockabilly Hall of Fame] - Documents the history of the song through dozens of covers, including lyrics.
* [http://www.rockabilly.nl/references/messages/arkie_shibley.htm www.rockabilly.nl] - Short article about Arkie Shibley and his difficulties in releasing the song.
* [http://www.hot-rod-lincoln.com/ www.hot-rod-lincoln.com] - The official site of Charlie Ryan