What was the first song about cars?

[Jon Haigwood]

The Automobile Spin was Only music , no lyrics , so it wasn't a song

[sjordan2]

I thought the question was about the FIRST car song. Seems like that's been answered, unless someone knows a song before 1901.

Edited September 6, 2014 by sjordan2

[Harry P.]

The Automobile Spin was Only music , no lyrics , so it wasn't a song

Technically... you're right.

[unclescott58]

"Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats" existed in name only on the label for Rocket 88 and one other song he sang lead on. The band was in reality Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. Brenston played saxophone in the band. He wrote the song, changing the lyrics from his earlier "Cadilliac Boogie", which I don't believe was ever recorded.

Interesting. Did not know this. So if that's the case, wouldn't Cadillac Boogie be the first real "Rock and Roll" song? Rather than Rocket 88? Or there more differences that pushed Rocket 88 into been what music historians consider to being the first?

Scott

[Harry P.]

Interesting. Did not know this. So if that's the case, wouldn't Cadillac Boogie be the first real "Rock and Roll" song?

Who can say? It's like asking what was the first muscle car. No single answer... it depends on what you consider a "muscle car" to be. Same with rock and roll... it depends on what you understand it to be.

A couple of "rock and roll" songs (depending on your definition of R&R) that predate "Cadillac Boogie"...

That's All Right, Mama-Arthur Crudup-1946 (later recorded by Elvis Presley)

Good Rockin' Tonight-Wynonie Harris-1948

Rock This Joint-Jimmy Preston-1949

[Ace-Garageguy]

I wonder if Ug the Neanderthal and his kin wrote songs about the first wheels, and how much easier they made rolling rocks.

Maybe not.

Edited September 7, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Harry P.]

I wonder if Ug the Neanderthal and his kin wrote songs about the first wheels, and how much easier they made rolling rocks.

I thought Rolling Rock was from Pennsylvania...

[Harry P.]

"Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats" existed in name only on the label for Rocket 88 and one other song he sang lead on. The band was in reality Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. Brenston played saxophone in the band. He wrote the song, changing the lyrics from his earlier "Cadilliac Boogie", which I don't believe was ever recorded.

Ike Turner wrote the intro and the first verse (which is the basic song), the rest of the lyrics were sort of a "group effort." I have no idea why a fictitious band that didn't even exist (Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats) were credited on the record. It was, as you said, in reality Ike Turner and his band, of which Brenston was a member.

[Brett Barrow]

Interesting. Did not know this. So if that's the case, wouldn't Cadillac Boogie be the first real "Rock and Roll" song? Rather than Rocket 88? Or there more differences that pushed Rocket 88 into been what music historians consider to being the first?

Scott

I made a mistake, Cadillac Boogie was a song already in the band's repertoire, it wasnt written by Brenston, it was written by Jimmy Liggins.

I think Rocket 88 gets credited as the first Rock n Roll song due to the recording and arrangement - the amplified guitar, Brenston's vocal style, Ike's piano riffs, etc...

Edited September 7, 2014 by Brett Barrow

[Brett Barrow]

Ike Turner wrote the intro and the first verse (which is the basic song), the rest of the lyrics were sort of a "group effort." I have no idea why a fictitious band that didn't even exist (Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats) were credited on the record. It was, as you said, in reality Ike Turner and his band, of which Brenston was a member.

Sam Phillips sold the recordings to Chess Records, the ones featuring Ike on vocals were credited correctly, but the ones with Brenston were given the fictitious name, I suppose it was to differentiate the two vocalists. As someone who has seen What's Love Got To Do With It, I can imagine Ike was not pleased...

[Jon Haigwood]

for your listening enjoyment