 sj |
||
|
||
US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them
Related threads:
Lyr Add: Get Your Kicks on Route 66 (Bobby Troup) (29)
Saving The Sacred Blues Of Highway 61 (9)
Looking for Route 66 Songs (9)
Lyr Req: ROUTE 66 (8) (closed)
Route 66 (11)
|
|
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: David C. Carter Date: 27 Mar 24 - 09:59 AM Hank Williams:Lost Highway Arlo Guthrie:Highway in the Wind |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways and songs about them From: cnd Date: 26 Mar 24 - 08:51 AM Grapes On the Vine mentions Route 22, which I believe is US Route 22 as it passes through Pittsburgh (FYI -- not sure if this is a recent change, but my attempts to post were met with an error informing me the Subject title was 52 characters, two over a 50-character limit.) |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: POMPTON TURNPIKE (W Osborne, D Rogers) From: Jim Dixon Date: 22 Jan 24 - 06:39 PM My transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive. I have used dashes to indicate pauses in the rhythm. POMPTON TURNPIKE (Will Osborne, Dick Rogers) As recorded by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (vocal by Louis Jordan) on Decca 8500 A, 1940. Pompton—Turnpike: That’s a very famous Jersey roadway Full of—country—charm. Pompton—Turnpike Leads you to a place not far from Broadway. Still it’s—on a—farm. You dine with life subdued. The music interlude Puts you right in the mood To dance and find yourself romance. Pompton—Turnpike: Ride your bike, or if you like, just hitchhike. Come to—Pompton—Turnpike. You can ride your bike, if you like, But if you can’t ride a bike, you better hitchhike To Pompton, To Pompton, Better come to—Pompton—Turnpike. [From the Wikipedia article, Newark-Pompton Turnpike: Charlie Barnet recorded the song Pompton Turnpike, which was written by Will Osborne and Dick Rogers, about the Meadowbrook, a swing era performance venue on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove, NJ. It is now a Macedonian Orthodox Church. The song was covered as a jazz/blues vocal version by Louis Jordan, the "King of the Jukebox" in the 1940s.You can also hear Barnet’s recording at the Internet Archive, but it is an instrumental. [A catalog entry at the University of Alberta library indicates that there is a missing verse that begins: “Stranger, can you tell me where I'll find a certain highway leading to a very famous rendez-vous?”] |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHWAY (Willard Robison) From: Jim Dixon Date: 22 Jan 24 - 11:16 AM I don’t even know if this is meant to refer to a specific highway: My transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive: NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHWAY (Robison) As recorded by Willard Robison and his Piano on Perfect 12384 B, 1927. VERSE: I’m home again from such a grand vacation. My trip has not been all in vain. Amid the views of old New Hampshire I found the real lover’s lane. CHORUS: New Hampshire highway, I have this much to say: It broke my heart to leave you. Contentment everywhere amid your scenes so rare, They thrilled me through and through. I found someone to love me In that good old-fashioned way. New Hampshire highway, I have this much to say: I’ll come again someday. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: Asheville City Skyline From: cnd Date: 27 Nov 23 - 12:13 PM Listen to the song (click). Lyrics copied and modified from AZlyrics. Route 74 is of course US 74 which runs mostly through North Carolina and a little bit of Tennessee, starting in Wilmington and heading west through Charlotte, and Asheville before ultimately wending in to Chattanooga. I have driven all of the portion of US 74 in NC (not continuously) but none of the section in Tennessee. I'm hoping to eventually make a trip out of just going from one end to the other. ASHEVILLE CITY SKYLINE Guitar cases, long faces A warm embrace and Sarah's tears Freeway hums and sadness comes And LAX just disappears Airplane jails, and ginger ale A magazine or two Landing gear, an airport beer And I'm on my way to you CHORUS Rolling up route 74 Through the French Broad River corridor I see old Black Mountain holding court And I know the trip is getting short And then there you are so divine The crown on Queen Caroline The Asheville city skyline Old buds, bear hugs Settle in to pick some strings Blue Ridge trees, a Pisgah breeze Ian's hungry and Jacob sings Microphones, a banjo drones A banner head across my knee Makers Mark, gettin' dark Feels mighty fine to finally be CHORUS Then it's said and done with a warm chuckle The sound of a mando case buckle Morning chill, a coffee bill Take to the skies and realize I sure wish that I was still CHORUS |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: cnd Date: 12 Oct 23 - 09:49 AM Gordon Lightfoot's song "Carefree Highway" was written about Arizona State Route 74 (link) |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: crism Date: 12 Oct 23 - 01:55 AM Oh, and Jim Malcolm’s “Road to New York” is about the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: crism Date: 12 Oct 23 - 01:53 AM “Drivin’ on 9” by Ed’s Redeeming Qualities is, despite the Carson City reference, about NH-9 as I understand it (ERQ was formed at UNH.) “There Is a Road (Route 50)” by the great Cincinnati band The Tillers is about US-50 (of course). |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: oldhippie Date: 08 Oct 23 - 10:09 AM Route 666 - Robert Hazard You take route fifty off of route forty-nine Hang a left at the head of the river You tunnel through the woods where they turn pitch black Let the fog roll over your windows Now the eyes in your headlights They might be a deer Or some howling thing running the road You know, somebody could die out here And nobody would ever know C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks There ain't another soul around On Route Six Sixty Six They tell stories about demons that fly through the night On black wings just like eagles They say there's men that do things down here That ain't exactly legal Now I had a buddy and he drove off the road Into a ditch and his truck went down They searched the swamp and towed out his truck But my good buddy was never found C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks Get me over to that interstate Off of Route Six Sixty Six Took a ride in the old Camaro Bald tire on the right front side Should have stuck to the straight and narrow Instead of going on this hell-bent ride There's a house on the lake way back in the woods Where they're practicing some kind of voodoo The kids run around with no clothes on And their little eyes look right through you Now my foot's to the metal But I see the big E shining red on the dashboard light I ain't talked to God for a hundred years But I'm sayin' this prayer tonight C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks I thank heaven for a Seven-Eleven On Route Six Sixty Six C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks Not another livin' soul around On Route Six Sixty Six |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: Donuel Date: 02 Oct 23 - 03:10 PM On the Blue Ridge Parkway |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,paperback Date: 03 Oct 23 - 12:28 AM "Pasadena" Writer(s): Johannes Vandenberg, George Young, David Hemmings Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Where the dirt track meets the highway And there ain't no time at all Just a world movin' forward On a big black motored crawl And the drivers in their Chevrolet's Ain't got no time at all To find no lonely hikers way It's when I wanna say Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh just to find some air that's kind of cleaner Pasadena town is where I'm goin' Why did they cut Beales Rise To stage coach through Newhall For a Mustang pony car To muss up City Hall Now there's a long freeway Where the desert used to be And there's no way that you can hike it Ooh you'll see Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh just to find some air that's kind of cleaner Pasadena town is where I'm goin' Do, do, do, do, do, do do... Do, do, do, do, do, do do... Pasadena town is where I'm goin' There ain't no other town that I call home Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh yeah yeah Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Oh no my car wont start Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena _____ 1939 Arroyo Seco |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,Cnd Date: 29 Sep 23 - 05:34 PM Heard Jason Carter play Highway 52 tonight, the Mike Evans song. I'll add lyrics / post a link later |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: cnd Date: 12 Oct 23 - 09:49 AM Gordon Lightfoot's song "Carefree Highway" was written about Arizona State Route 74 (link) |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: crism Date: 12 Oct 23 - 01:55 AM Oh, and Jim Malcolm’s “Road to New York” is about the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: crism Date: 12 Oct 23 - 01:53 AM “Drivin’ on 9” by Ed’s Redeeming Qualities is, despite the Carson City reference, about NH-9 as I understand it (ERQ was formed at UNH.) “There Is a Road (Route 50)” by the great Cincinnati band The Tillers is about US-50 (of course). |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: oldhippie Date: 08 Oct 23 - 10:09 AM Route 666 - Robert Hazard You take route fifty off of route forty-nine Hang a left at the head of the river You tunnel through the woods where they turn pitch black Let the fog roll over your windows Now the eyes in your headlights They might be a deer Or some howling thing running the road You know, somebody could die out here And nobody would ever know C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks There ain't another soul around On Route Six Sixty Six They tell stories about demons that fly through the night On black wings just like eagles They say there's men that do things down here That ain't exactly legal Now I had a buddy and he drove off the road Into a ditch and his truck went down They searched the swamp and towed out his truck But my good buddy was never found C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks Get me over to that interstate Off of Route Six Sixty Six Took a ride in the old Camaro Bald tire on the right front side Should have stuck to the straight and narrow Instead of going on this hell-bent ride There's a house on the lake way back in the woods Where they're practicing some kind of voodoo The kids run around with no clothes on And their little eyes look right through you Now my foot's to the metal But I see the big E shining red on the dashboard light I ain't talked to God for a hundred years But I'm sayin' this prayer tonight C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks I thank heaven for a Seven-Eleven On Route Six Sixty Six C'mon baby, don't let me down Way out here in the sticks Not another livin' soul around On Route Six Sixty Six |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,paperback Date: 03 Oct 23 - 12:28 AM "Pasadena" Writer(s): Johannes Vandenberg, George Young, David Hemmings Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Where the dirt track meets the highway And there ain't no time at all Just a world movin' forward On a big black motored crawl And the drivers in their Chevrolet's Ain't got no time at all To find no lonely hikers way It's when I wanna say Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh just to find some air that's kind of cleaner Pasadena town is where I'm goin' Why did they cut Beales Rise To stage coach through Newhall For a Mustang pony car To muss up City Hall Now there's a long freeway Where the desert used to be And there's no way that you can hike it Ooh you'll see Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh just to find some air that's kind of cleaner Pasadena town is where I'm goin' Do, do, do, do, do, do do... Do, do, do, do, do, do do... Pasadena town is where I'm goin' There ain't no other town that I call home Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Ooh yeah yeah Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena Oh no my car wont start Ooh it's such a long, long way to Pasadena _____ 1939 Arroyo Seco |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: Donuel Date: 02 Oct 23 - 03:10 PM On the Blue Ridge Parkway |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,Cnd Date: 29 Sep 23 - 05:34 PM Heard Jason Carter play Highway 52 tonight, the Mike Evans song. I'll add lyrics / post a link later |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch Date: 24 Aug 23 - 01:47 PM Rereading the thread. Some old, old Tamiami Trail bidness. Joe: The last portion is known as Alligator Alley, which is mostly part of Interstate 75…. Miccosukee Indian Village: 25.7612101, -80.7795198. The East-West leg of the old Tamiami Trail of song and post card was Florida State Highway 41 several miles to the south. It's still there. Alligator Alley, The Big Cypress & Reservation &c &c were all bound up in the usual grand old Florida real estate and eminent domain politics. The tribe retained exclusive concession rights (the tourist traps, gas stations, fast food &c) for the whole stretch of both highways. The eastern portion of the levee on the “Old Trail” is now considered sacred tribal ground by the local folk. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: cnd Date: 24 Aug 23 - 12:51 PM Tyler Childer's song Country Squire makes a reference to US 23, eastern KY's self-appointed "Country Music Highway" (listen) Well tonight, I'm up in Chillicothe Down-wind from the paper mill I’m out here spittin' on the sidewalk Taking in the factory smells Head and nose, she tends to smokin' out the window In the air, that gas pipe leak I wonder if she’s cringing at the same time Thinking pretty thoughts of me I was up for hours this morning Pulling traps before I said goodbye I plan to tan myself a fox hide And hang it on my darling bride 'Cause they tell me that it's gonna be a big one And the snow is settin' in And I don't want her cold while I ain't at home The way that I have been CHORUS Spending my nights in a bar room, Lord Turnin' them songs into two-by-fours Dreaming 'bout the day that I’m sitting by the fire Huddled with my honey in the Country Squire Well tomorrow, we hit the country music highway On our way to Circleville We’re off to do some weekend warring While we sing and drink our fill And when I ain't out playing on my six-string With the nickels I acquire I’m trying to fix her up a castle It's called the Country Squire It's a 24-foot-long vessel That measures eight feet wide It's a 53-year-old camper It’s made to pull behind And I've gutted to the studs and the rafters And I'm building back piece by piece I'm trying to fix her up a temple My Lady of the Estill Springs CHORUS One day, I aim to have myself a family And a cabin on the hill And I might have to come off of the highway To help with the family bills But when the kids have got a little older On the day that I retire I'll take her somewhere warm for the winter Pulling our Country Squire CHORUS |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: Hagman Date: 23 Aug 23 - 04:32 AM [Verse 1] Lord, that 61 Highway, it the longest road I know Lord, that 61 Highway, it the longest road I know She run from New York City, run right by my baby's do' [Verse 2] Well, there some folks said them Greyhound buses don't run Lordy, some folks said them Greyhound buses don't run Lord, just go to West Memphis, baby, look down Highway 61 [Verse 3] I said, please, please see somebody for me I said please, please see somebody for me If you see my baby tell her she's alright with me [Verse 4] Lord, if I should happen a-die, baby before you think my time have come Lord, if I should happen a-die, baby 'fore you think my time have come I want you bury my body down on Highway 61 Mississippi Fred McDowell. "Perfect," wrote Alan Lomax, on first hearing. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,paperback Date: 22 Aug 23 - 11:56 PM Ellis Dolan - I-10 Highway Ellis Dolan - Rock Springs - by Dean Cook, Lon Austin, and Tony Norris - about Arizona State Route 69 |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: 13 HIGHWAY (Walter Davis) + THIRTEEN ... From: Jim Dixon Date: 02 Mar 22 - 12:18 PM 13 HIGHWAY (W. Davis) As recorded by Walter Davis on “Walter Davis Vol. 3 1937-1938,” Document Records, 1994. (Originally on Bluebird B-7693-B and Montgomery Ward 7762, both 1938) Lord, I went down Thirteen Highway; I went down in my V8 Fo’d. (2x) It was rainin’ an’ stormin’; Lord, I just couldn't see the road. It was rainin’ an’ stormin’ and the cloud was dark as night. It was rainin’ an’ stormin’, mama, the cloud was dark as night. But if my V8 is gon’ fail me, I swear I’ll make everything all right. I was goin’ sixty miles an hour, all up an’ down those hills. I was goin’ sixty miles an hour, mama, all up an’ down those hills. Sometime I was goin’ so fast, I just could[n’t] control my wheels. Don’t the highway look lonesome, mama, after the sun goes down? (2x) Lord, when you all alone by yourself an’ there ain’t nobody ‘round. THIRTEEN HIGHWAY As recorded by Muddy Waters on “One More Mile: Chess Collectibles, Vol. 1” (1994) I went down Thirteen Highway, drivin' a brand new V8 Ford. (2x) Oh, you know, I was drivin' so fast, baby, I couldn't hardly see the road. Oh, I was drivin' sixty miles an hour, all up and down the hill. Oh, you know, I was drivin' sixty miles an hour, all up and down the hill. Oh, you know, I was speedin' so fast, I couldn't hardly control my wheel. Don't the highway look lonesome, after the sun done gone down? Oh, don't the highway look so lonesome, after the sun done gone down? Oh, you know, you all alone by yourself; there ain't nobody else around. |
|
Subject: ADD: 95 South (recorded by Joe Ely) From: GUEST,Guest Date: 25 Feb 22 - 06:18 PM Not seen it mentioned; Joe Ely has '95 South' from his 2003 album 'Streets of Sin' 95 SOUTH 95 South 95 South 95 South from Portland Maine When am I ever gonna see you again 95 South 95 South 95 South tryin to whistle a tune Potholes deeper that the craters on the moon 95 South Well, the longest train that I ever saw Had the front in the summer and the back in the fall I wish I was on that train tonight Rollin in the pale moonlight 95 South 95 South 95 South to Boston town Honey this tunnel is getting me down 95 South 95 South 95 South to the big city lights There's a big empty hole in my heart tonight 95 South Well, the longest train that I ever saw Had the front in the summer and the back in the fall I wish I was on that train tonight Rollin in the pale moonlight 95 South 95 South 95 South off the Jersey Pike Coffee colored Cadillac rollin through the night 95 South 95 South through the Carolina Pines My head is swimming in the honeysuckle vines Well, the longest train that I ever saw Had the front in the summer and the back in the fall I wish I was on that train tonight Rollin in the pale moonlight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b92821GwTOQ |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: NEW HIGHWAY NO. 51 (Tommy McClennan) From: Jim Dixon Date: 25 Feb 22 - 01:05 PM My transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive: NEW HIGHWAY No. 51 (Tommy McClennan) As recorded by Tommy McClennan on RCA Victor 20-2931-A, 1941.
Highway 51 run right by my baby's do'.
Now, if I should die before my time shall come—
Now, yon' come that Greyhound with his tongue stickin' out on the side. (Yes, yes.)
My baby didn't have one five dollars; now she spent on that V8 Fo'd. (Yes, yes.)
Now, any time you get lonesome an' you wants to have some fun, (Yes, yes.) |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: HIGHWAY 99 (Lowel Fulson) From: Jim Dixon Date: 25 Feb 22 - 11:28 AM My transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive: HIGHWAY 99 As recorded by Lowel Fulson and Trio, Down Beat 116-A (1948). Now, there was no fare; I’m broke an’ ain’t got a dime. (2x) My time is up in California; gonna hit Highway Ninety-Nine. When I had plenty money, friends all around my do’. When I had plenty money, nothin’ but friends all ‘round my do’. Now all my money’s gone; I ain’t got no friend no mo’. I’m gonna hit that ol’ highway, and try to catch myself a ride. (2x) Because that’s a long old lonesome road and a man is bound to get very tired. - - - U.S. Route 99 runs from the Canadian border in Blaine, Washington to the Mexican border in Calexico, California. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: cnd Date: 24 Feb 22 - 11:02 PM Jim, here are a few spots I feel I can help. Feedback is welcome. HIGHWAY 101 Have you ever been to Memphis? Seen those Greyhound buses run, (2x) HIGHWAY 59 I’ll just keep on ridin’ until that highway ends |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: reggie miles Date: 24 Feb 22 - 10:09 PM Oops! My bad! Let's try that again. 51 Highway Blues by Reggie miles |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 24 Feb 22 - 08:29 PM Reggie, both those links lead to Joe Williams himself. Jim, second to last line concerns her 'out at a club on 45' (another M'sippi highway). But the last few words in the song still mysterious, sounds like "see why my doll's alive" but not quite right either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_45_in_Wisconsin -Joe Offer- |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: HIGHWAY 61 BLUES (Gatemouth Moore) From: Jim Dixon Date: 24 Feb 22 - 06:55 PM My transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive. This one was clearer than the last 2 I posted: HIGHWAY 61 BLUES (Moore) As recorded by Gatemouth Moore and the Monty Morrison Trio on King 4178-B (1947) Highway 61 is the longest highway that I know. (2x) Runs past my gal’s house to the Gulf of Mexico. Yes, I love you, baby, better than I do myself. (2x) Yes, when I leave this city, it’s where I go an’ take nobody else. When you see me passin’, hang your head an’ cry. When you see me leavin’, baby, please wave bye an’ bye. Lord knows you a beautiful woman, but still you gotta cry. Yes, baby, bye you bye. Baby, bye you bye. Baby, baby, baby, bye you bye. When you see me leavin’, hang your head and cry. I’m goin' way back home. Goin’ way back home. Goin’ way back home. Goin’ way back home. Highway 61 is the place where I must go. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: reggie miles Date: 24 Feb 22 - 04:51 PM Here's a recent partial capture of my bottleneck slide version of this one, played with my self-made junk/art Nobro resophonic guitar, with harmonica lines and spoken word/storytelling parts. I wish that the whole thing would have been captured but this gives an idea about where I've taken it. 51 Highway Blues |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: reggie miles Date: 24 Feb 22 - 02:13 PM I've always associated the version of 51 Highway Blues that I play with Big Joe Williams. Here's his version called New Highway 51 But my bottleneck slide version is a direct interpretation of my friend Robert One-Man Johnson's bottleneck slide version. I first heard him playing this one bottleneck slide style about 50 years ago and his playing approach heavily influenced my interest in music and early acoustic Blues by artists like Big Joe Williams. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: HIGHWAY 59 (Roy Hawkins) From: Jim Dixon Date: 24 Feb 22 - 01:05 PM My transcription from the Internet Archive. Again, there are several doubtful phrases. HIGHWAY 59 (Hawkins) As recorded by Roy Hawkins and His Orchestra on Modern Hollywood 859 (1952) Yeah, I woke up this mornin’ with just one thing on my mind: (2x) To get me a bus down Highway Fifty-Nine. My baby have left me, but she’s still on my mind. (2x) She’s somewhere travelin’ on Highway Fifty-Nine. I’ve got spendin’ money; don’t have many friends. I’ll just keep on ridin’ and say, God, I’ll be in. Roll me outside, yes, keep on singin’ mine. Yes, singin’ my blues out on Highway Fifty-Nine. - - - U.S. Route 59 runs from the Canadian border near Lancaster, Minnesota, to the Mexican border near Laredo, Texas—but I don’t know if this is the highway Hawkins had in mind. Hawkins was born in Texas but his professional life took place mainly in California. There is a California State Route 59 but it seems relatively unimportant. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: Stilly River Sage Date: 24 Feb 22 - 12:40 PM The only highway still labeled 101 is along the edge of the Pacific Coast, but obviously Memphis and New York City are in the east. It could be that a highway was renamed when it was turned into an Interstate route. I seem to remember a description of the highway out of New York City toward the lower Midwest in Kerouac's On The Road. I'll have to look into that (lit, not song, but it is a clue.) The state highways are the ones he would have taken, or federal ones that weren't freeways yet. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: HIGHWAY 101 (Jimmy McCracklin) From: Jim Dixon Date: 24 Feb 22 - 12:12 PM My transcription from the recording on the Internet Archive. There are some doubtful phrases: HIGHWAY 101 As recorded by Jimmy McCracklin (with Jimmy Nichols on piano) on Globe 104 (1945) Have you ever been to Memphis? Leave those greenhouse bosses run, (2x) And leave out o’ New York City, right down Highway One-Oh-One. One-Oh-One Highway, the longest highway in the world, (2x) Runs all the way to New York City, and it ain’t got a girl. I’m gon’ make some money, up on Highway One-Oh-One. (yes, yes) (2x) When I find a new still, Lord, we gon’ have some. - - - I don’t know which highway this song refers to. U.S. Route 101 is on the west coast. Several states on the east coast have state and county highways numbered 101, but I don’t see how they could link up to be “the longest highway in the world.” If anyone wants to investigate further, see Wikipedia’s List of highways numbered 101. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST Date: 24 Feb 22 - 11:16 AM Jim Dixon.....Just by chance you last post was Post No. 66...very apt Tim |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: 80 HIGHWAY BLUES (Son Bond[s]) From: Jim Dixon Date: 24 Feb 22 - 11:14 AM My transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive. There are several phrases that don’t make sense and are probably wrong: 80 HIGHWAY BLUES As recorded by Son Bond* on Bluebird B-8927-A (1941) Sittin’ down here thinkin’; yes, babe, I believe I’d better go. (2x) You know I believe I’ll go down that long, long ol’ dusty road. Now that Eighty Highway is the longest highway that I know, (2x) Runnin’ all the way from Frisco, Texas, way ‘cross the Atlantic on that other wider coast [or “watercourse”?]. The church bell begin to tone; yes, some other good gambler’s gone. (2x) You know I wouldn’t hate it so bad, but that Eighty Highway is so long. You women fuss an’ argue with your good man, when you know you don’t do right yourself. (2x) You know when I look for you at night, way down on Eighty Highway with someone else. Yes, and you get in trouble, callin’ on a plowed-out forty-five. (2x) Baby and now I just open up my chifforobe, and you’ll see why my darlin’ loves to die. - - - * “Son Bond” as printed on the record label, but see Wikipedia: Son Bonds. See Wikipedia for a description of U.S. Route 80. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: Stilly River Sage Date: 23 Feb 22 - 02:29 PM A bit of a segue (pardon the pun!) It seems like Under the X in Texas (by Johnny Gimble) has been around forever, but I see in his partial discography on Wikipedia that he first published it in 1992. It talks about maps and travel, not a specific road, but it always struck me as a highway type of song. It's also a popular Cowboy song (Red Steagall, who caught polio at age 15 and took up guitar for PT—he apparently got a lot of mileage out of the song.) The usual proviso: there are a lot of lyric sites that repeat the same mistakes from wherever the first one was. I poked around and found a closer-to-accurate transcription (from CowboyLyrics.com) that I corrected. The Cowboy Lyrics song may be based on Steagall's performance. I transcribed the corrected lyrics from Gimbel's performance. Under the X in Texas by Johnny Gimbel I'm sittin' here looking at a map, I got laid out on my lap There's not too many places I ain't been But the one place I love best, why it's spread all over the west And I'm tryin' to figure how to get back home again [chorus] I wish I was sittin' right under the X in Texas Right in the heart of where my heart must be No matter where I roam I never feel at home, ‘cept in Texas Right under the “X” in Texas, is where I'd like to be [solo, various: piano - guitar - steel - fiddle] I don't know what I miss the most Those mountains out west or the southern coast Or just bein’ where a fella can see for miles and miles The East Texas hills and the tall pine trees The level land with the prairie breeze Maybe I'm lonesome to see a Texas smile [chorus] Right now I wish I was sittin' right under the X in Texas Right at* the heart of where my heart must be No matter where I roam I never feel at home, ‘cept in Texas Right under the “X” in Texas, is where I'd like to be No I aint got nothin’ against the rest But why settle for better when you know what’s best And under the “X” in Texas is where it's best for me *(In the second chorus he changes the "in" the heart to "at" the heart) |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Feb 22 - 03:14 AM I've always known US 41 as the Dixie Highway. It runs up the eastern third of Wisconsin to "Up North." During deer hunting season, it was (in 1965) and probably still is bumper-to-bumper crowded with traffic going north on Friday nights, with cars full of men with guns and brandy. And on Sunday night, it was bumper-to-bumper going south, with some cars with deer carcasses on top (and a lot less brandy). I lived in Racine in Southeast Wisconsin and went to school in Milwaukee. We had wooded areas nearby and we loved them, but mostly they were areas where hunting was not allowed. So people went "up North" on the Dixie Highway to get their deer. And the venison was delicious. I apologize to my wife and all you other vegivores. I finally drove the Dixie Highway "Down South" in the 1990s after I got divorced, and I've done it a few times since. It's a wonderful trip. -Joe- |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 22 Feb 22 - 10:34 PM Cool! We took the Dixie Highway across the South to near Savannah long ago, great trip. This week I got to experience some great US Highways. US 90 through West Texas is always a thrill, the wide open and dramatic landscape. Okay so we didn't actually see the mysterious Marfa lights, but it was still cool to camp by the side of 90, train rumbling nearby. Detouring into the Davis Mtns for the observatory. And the newish visitor center/museum Texas has built off 90 at Langtry in honor of Judge Roy Bean etc. was fantastic, shows up before you cross the Pecos, tailgated by Border Patrol. Spent a lot of that drive singing "You Ask Me What I Like About Texas". Which does not mention US highways, but might as well. Later I cut north on US 83 from Uvalde, where the west begins if you ask me. On the east side of the road, more green fields and cedar, on the west, more mesquite scrub. This road skirts the west side of the Hill Country and so has not been ruined yet, unless you count the aggressive drivers. But close enough to Austin for a truckload of radio stations to suddenly appear, 90% various varieties of country but a sprinkling of Hispanic-Christian and whatnot. Where else can you hear "Delta Dawn" twice in one hour? Nowhere, methinks. Then it was time to fire up "East Bound and Down" by the mighty Jerry Reed, get on US 190, blast through goat, pecan, and sheep country through San Saba etc. Regrettably, like many places, 190 disappears, and you get forced onto a horrible interstate loaded with horrible new buildings, through the concrete sprawl and construction mess around Ford Hood and Killeen. But, at trail's end near Temple, a delightful campground overlooking limestone bluffs and a lake, little deer herds, live oaks, and swooping birds, not to mention warm temperatures and a homey southern host lady. Ahh. Where was I? Oh, sorry. My point was, along US 190 I heard Charley Pride singing "Is Anybody Going to San Antone" wherein he mentions "walking down 66". A damn good song which deserves to be sung more. |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GUEST Date: 21 Feb 22 - 10:45 AM Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son" Abe says, "Man, you must be putting me on" God say, "No". Abe say, "What?" God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but The next time you see me comin' you better run" Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killing done?" Highway 61 (Dylan & Susan Tedeschi 1999) Highway 61 - the Blues Highway voyager |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: David C. Carter Date: 21 Feb 22 - 04:08 AM Lucinda Williams mentions Louisiana Highway,in her song"Lake Charles". Steve Young recorded "Alabama Highway". There's a video on Y.Tube. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: DIXIE HIGHWAY (Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson From: Jim Dixon Date: 20 Feb 22 - 10:52 PM From the sheet music at York University. Other copies are held by Mississippi State University and Indiana University. DIXIE HIGHWAY Words by Gus Kahn, music by Walter Donaldson, ©1922. 1. I’ve been working all day long fixing up my car, Making sure that nothing’s wrong. I’m traveling far, Way down south where I belong. How surprised they’ll be! ‘Cause I came away by freight, but I’m going home in state. CHORUS: Down the Dixie Highway I’ll be wending my way. I’m just goin’ to fly ‘way home To my little nest in Dixie. How I’ll count the hours Till I see the flowers: Roses red, violets blue. Down there they grow forget-me-nots for you. I’ll bless each rattle in my flivver, Each little knock. When I ride beside that Swanee River, I reckon All my cares will fly ‘way When I’m wending my way Down the Dixie Highway. I’m going home. PATTER: My little flivver is a real good friend. All you have to give her is a twist and a bend. She isn’t worth a nickel but I bet, by gee, She’ll bring a million dollars worth of smiles to me. Needs new tires, front and rear, The horn won’t speak to the steering gear. A little lopsided, lamps don’t light, But outside of that, ev’rything’s all right. [To CHORUS.] 2. Folks all said: “He won’t make good” when I started out. I determined that I would; now there’ll be no doubt. When they see that Ford sedan, they’ll know that means wealth. And I have done mighty fine. Ten more payments and it’s mine! - - - The Internet Archive has a vocal recording by Aileen Stanley, on Victor 18935-A (1922) – plus several instrumental arrangements. The Dixie Highway ran from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Miami, Florida—see Wikipedia. |
|
Subject: ADD: New Lee Highway Blues (David Bromberg) From: Joe Offer Date: 06 Dec 21 - 01:41 AM Cool stuff, Jim. Where are Highway 53 and Route 23? From https://genius.com/David-bromberg-the-new-lee-highway-blues-lyrics: “The New Lee Highway Blues” by David Bromberg appears on his album, Wanted: Dead or Alive (1974). It’s an adaptation of “Lee Highway Blues”, a traditional southern string band song. Named after Gen. Robert E. Lee, the Lee Highway was an Auto Trail that connected New York City and San Francisco via the south and southwest. It was named after Robert E. Lee. Auto Trails were an informal network of highway routes in the U.S. and Canada in the early 20th century. Marked with colored bands on telephone poles along the road, they helped travelers find their way through a patchwork of different highway numbers on cross country road trips. The trails were marked by civic and fraternal organizations. The Lincoln Trail is probably the best known of these, and people used them extensively because many states and counties gave road improvements for the trails high priority to increase traffic and promote tourism. NEW LEE HIGHWAY BLUES (David Bromberg) All through Northern Oregon Always at my side Sleeping in those narrow beds And then we'd ride Drinking in those dirty bars Keeping out of sight Sleeping in that cold back seat And then we'd ride You know that God-damned road seemed like it went forever Exhaust fumes made our eyes turn red and swell With our clothes stuck to the seat and to our bodies It was a stinkin' summer trip to southern hell Eating carbonated crap Churning up inside Gas-soaked service station johns And then we'd ride Silence in the front seat Trying not to start to fight Quiet, half-hid cryin' And then we'd ride You know you can grow to hate these crummy little one horse towns With their seamy movie houses long closed down No where to go from here but up and down the road And nothing over there but the same goddamned town Another sour coffee cup One more piece of cardboard pie Buy a tooth brush and a change of clothes And then we'll ride https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMuGy4HMPms |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: PHJim Date: 06 Dec 21 - 01:26 AM Ones in my repertoire are:
Wayne Hancock's Highway 54, Wayne Hancock's Route 23 |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GerryM Date: 06 Dec 21 - 12:56 AM The Golden Triangle by the Austin Lounge Lizards starts, Oh, the Gulf breeze was blowing those sweet petrochemical fumes I was hauling a truckload of cattle through Texas in June The cattle were lowing and calling for brew Abnormally sober, I wanted one, too I left I-10 at Beaumont, to look for an open saloon. https://youtu.be/CIVdMHoFTfk |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: GerryM Date: 05 Dec 21 - 05:31 PM The War Between the States, by Hank Card & Conrad Deisler of the Austin Lounge Lizards, has this stanza: We invaded Pennsylvania The turnpike, it was long We all marched into Stuckey's One hundred thousand strong (hut-two-three-four!) The pecan logs were delicious They were a tasty treat How could we know that later We would taste a great defeat |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: Gators For Sale From: cnd Date: 05 Dec 21 - 11:05 AM Here's a zany one I found recently on a CD at a thrift store. Performed by Sound Traveler, a husband and wife band (Bob Tatum and Patty Kunze Tatum) based out of Florida and Western North Carolina. Here's the description printed with their eponymous CD which the song comes from: This is a true story -- more or less. Some details have been "enhanced" for the sake of the story, but many are right on the money. When I was a kid, we did buy a baby alligator from a side-of-the-road establishment on US Highway 17. Lord Chesterfield most certainly lived in our unfinished bomb shelter, and the little beast has been the subject of legend ever since. As I've said before about this little song, "If it didn't happen this way, it should have!"GATORS FOR SALE We were headed south on U.S. 17 The sky was blue, the trees were green Muggiest day I think I've ever seen Well the sun shone hot on our sedan* roof Sweat rolled off my daddy, he began to droop Up ahead, like a mirage, we saw a sign: REFRAIN "Come see our gorilla," the billboard screamed "And snakes by the dozen like an African scene And gators, genuine gators, for sale" We were six packed in a car built for four The excitement grew til we could take no more Mama threatened murder if we didn't hush But in a moment of weakness my daddy pulled over At a shabby little shack called the Jungle Marauder And a like a herd of jackals we bolted right out of the car Well it wasn't quite Disney's Animal Kingdom And Busch Gardens had nothing to fear But back in '63 it was the finest thing we'd seen When we all burst in that man had our number Showed a tiny little gator from this land down under "Florida's finest," he said with a wicked grin REFRAIN Well, mama said "No!", daddy said "So, I wonder how big that little critter will grow!" "Please daddy! Tell him that we'll take him!" When we were back on the road again We named him after the Lord Chesterfield Inn Chester for short--and he was, for a while Then he outgrew his box in a few So we moved him into our unfinished bomb shelter To be ready, it seemed, for whatever might commence REFRAIN You see, we thought Chester might feel at ease In that block-lined hole with the water of green Showing his chompers pretty as you please Besides the Cold War didn't seem so hot In light of this growing reptile we'd got I guess the Russians would just have to wait Well, it's many years later, and I say with a tear We released that gator not far from here In a swamp just perfect for his sun lazin' style And as far as I know, he's probably content With a Mrs. Chesterfield, and they're making gators Genuine gators, for sale REFRAIN (x2) We talkin' gators Lord Chesterfield gators For sale * Pronounced see-dan |
|
Subject: RE: US Highways (fed and state) and songs about them From: cetmst Date: 14 Aug 21 - 10:44 AM Another cross-Pennsyvania route was US322, the Lakes to the Sea highway and we'd stop off in Downingtown at a place called The Mudcat Cafe where there was good food and good music. I have loggged in to Mudcat almost daily sincee 1997 |
| Share Thread: |