What does 'CC Rider' mean?

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:52 PM

Fascinating stuff, here, folks. Thanks to all.

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:37 PM

Thanks for the excellent posts. I couldn't convince myself that my earlier guesses were it (included engines and "spoonful" [10 cc]...ha!), but I like the circuit court rider and rail company possibilities.

Now I suppose it is a variation of "easy" rider...thanks!

MichaelAnthony

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: Brendy
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:07 PM

Sorry...forgot to paste the link!!!

One more Time

B

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: Brendy
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 09:05 PM

Check it out.

B.

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: Homeless
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 07:30 PM

The earliest reference I can find to the song CC Rider being recorded is by Ma Rainey back in 1923. Tho there's no explanation of what the term stands for.

This talks about Big Bill Broonzy's version, and claims 'The "easy rider", also known as "See See Rider" or "C C Rider", is a blues cliché for the sexual partner, although originally it referred to the guitar hung on the back of the traveling bluesman.'

For the record, Harley Davidson started selling motorcycles in 1903. It was a concept they had developed by motorized a bicycle.

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: GUEST,Liam's Brother
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 04:36 PM

Roger is right. It is Easy Rider (meaning, um, "great in bed") which was changed to C.C. Rider to clear the sensors at the record companies.

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 03:30 PM

I agree with Roger In Ball'mer that the source is probably "Easy Rider". My understanding of that expression, however, is that "Easy Rider" is (to put it delicately) a man who lives on the earnings of young ladies who are no better than they should be. If you didn't understand that circumlocution, an easy rider is a pimp.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 03:14 PM

I see I digressed so far that I never explained what C. C. had to do with railroads. It might refer to a woman who road some rail line that was referred to as "C. C." just as the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was called the B & O.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 03:12 PM

All of the above are accurate in some context. However, if you are asking about the song with the line "C. C. Rider, see what you done done, You made me love you, now your man done come" none apply. I am hoping much of the above was collective pulling of the leg.

I have heard that the term C. C. Rider is a corruption of the term "easy rider" which referred to a woman with whom one has casual sex. Using that definition, the above line makes some sense. I am sure it has nothing to do with motorcycles since the song surely predates the internal combution engine. There may, however, be some connection with the Railroads. There were a multitude of little Railroad companies throughout the South. They were fairly independent and might only serve between two major cities. Different companies often did not share railways. There was no standard track gauges, so cars from one company often could not fit on the track of another company. This drove the armies crazy during America's Civil War. You'd transport the troops to one city and to get to the next one you may have to unload them, march them to another railroad in the town and put them on rail cars again. How inefficient. Later monopolies (and the utter destruction of the Southern rail system) helped lead to standardization.

Well, that's a long way from C. C., but them's my words and I'm stickin' to 'em.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: The Beanster
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 03:02 PM

Hmmm. I, too, always thought "cc" referred to cubic centimeters as in motorcycle engines. I do like Gary T's explanation though, as the song seems to be about moving on--but in this case, I do believe it refers to engine size although a motorcycle is not mentioned in the song...

Elvis did a version (earlier, of course) called "See See Rider" and lyrics can be found here: Click here These lyrics are very similar to Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels' version, called "CC Rider."

By the way, the lyrics site that link will send you to is pretty lame, with a lot of mistakes and not a lot of selection on pop songs...just thought I'd warn you.

Have to go get that from Napster now... ha!

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: Gary T
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 02:42 PM

I'm sure the phrase used in the song, and probably the song itself, predate motorcycles. It stands for "circuit court" rider if I recall correctly, and refers to the magistrates who made the rounds through their territory (circuit), originally on a horse or mule. Probably the sense in the song is a variation on the archtypal traveling salesman, someone who was in one place for only a brief time before moving on.

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 02:40 PM

I suspect it's just a couple of handy initials, but I may be wrong. Like Charles Cody Rider, or something along that line.

Subject: RE: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: JenEllen
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 01:49 PM

Could be wrong, but I'd always assumed the 'CC' referred to the motorcycle engine. 'CC Rider' being a motorcycle mama.

~Elle

Subject: What does 'CC Rider' mean?
From: MichaelAnthony
Date: 26 Aug 00 - 01:07 PM

Finally I found a place where I may get the answer to what "CC Rider" refers to? Any ideas?

Also if anyone has lyrics of early versions of this song, I like to see 'em. Thanks Mudcatters!

MichaelAnthony

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