1971Released
2:44

Did You Know?

Interesting facts and trivia about Hot Rod Lincoln. By Songfacts®.

As given by the band's now-defunct official site, "Hot Rod Lincoln" was originally written by Charlie Ryan. It was first recorded and released by Charlie Ryan and The Livingston Brothers in 1955. It tells the second half of the story started by the song "Hot Rod Race," recorded in 1951 by Arkie Shibley and his Mountain Dew Boys, as referenced by the opening: "Have you heard this story of the Hot Rod Race, when Fords and Lincolns was settin' the pace? That story is true, I'm here to say; I was drivin' that Model A." While the song tells of a race between a Lincoln and a Cadillac on the Grapevine grade in California, the actual location was on the Lewiston grade in Idaho.

The most iconic line from the song is: "Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin' if you don't stop drivin' that Hot Rod Lincoln!"

Was there really a "hot-rod Lincoln?" Yes and no. Actually, it was a rebuilt car with the body of a Model "A" coupe set into the frame of a 1941 Lincoln, along with a "hopped-up" Lincoln engine block. However, at the time of this song's writing, Ryan built a second car, this time with a chop-shop melding of a 1930 Model "A" Ford coupe and a wrecked 1948 Lincoln. It is this second restored car with which has Ryan toured.

Song Analysis

Key, BPM (tempo) and time signature of Hot Rod Lincoln.
EKey
MajorMode
4/4Time Signature
130BPM

Album

The album Hot Rod Lincoln is released on.

Released By

The record label that has released Hot Rod Lincoln.
Universal Special Markets
(C) 1971 Geffen Records
(P) 1971 Geffen Records

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