A friend from Nashville made a Facebook post last week on “Truckin’ Songs” and asked what ever happened to them in country. He is correct, they have disappeared off the country landscape but they have a real history and had a great run in our format. I have given spins to hundreds of them over many years on great country stations around the country.
Sawyer Brown – Big (Rig) Remake
Truckin Songs were not a trend in Country, they were far more. Unlike Pop-Country, Urban Cowboy, the Neo-Traditionalists, or Bro-Country. Those all had a definite “run” as one era sort of gave way to another. Truckin’ songs were there for decades, as there always seemed to be room for a couple on the charts no matter the current trend. Now though, it’s out of favor, but if history is our guide one cool new song by a new, hot and relevant artist today one could be a hit.
Truckin’ Song Anthem
Most of course from the 1970’s or so. In the 70’s and some on either side, there was a truckin’ song phase that spawned a ton of big hits. The C.B. Radio phase of the late 70’s fueled by the tremendous success of the movie, Smokey And The Bandit and a few others, gave new life to more trucking songs, like East Bound And Down by Jerry Reed from the movie was a number two hit. It has also lived on for years in commercials, and other uses.
Ronnie Milsap
At their core honor a sect of our workforce that sometimes can feel unappreciated for their work. And even though they sing about truckers, the sentiment is felt by other hard working, blue collar people in other fields that the work ethic in the song sings about. Truckin’ songs are many times poignant and powerful. That may sound strange to some, but they certainly are to those who live the songs. And they can also be simple escapism.
One Of Alabama’s Most Popular Songs
Six Days On The Road, originally by Dave Dudley (1962-Original), has been done by many artists over the decades, including Sawyer Brown (1997), and rocker Steve Earl to name a few. It’s one of the real truck anthems that has a life of its own. Many artists have recorded huge truckin’ hits, including Ronnie Milsap, Alabama, Alan Jackson, Kathy Mattea, Eddie Rabbitt, Garth, Dierks Bentley and old schoolers too like Merle Haggard, (Theme to a TV Show) Red Sovine, and Joe Stampley in 1975 may have recorded the ultimate truckin’ anthem with Roll On Big Mama. It went number one and was a gigantic hit! I interviewed him as a young broadcaster, and he told me he was eternally thankful for that song as he went on to a long run on the charts after. (I also think it’s the only song ever that mentions “Coeur d’ Alene) (Idaho)
The Quintessential Truckin’ Song
These anthems are also viewed as patriotic to a degree. I feel they share a whole lot of the same audience that love songs that honor the military, as many of them applaud the commitment to a tough, and important job that doesn’t just need to be done – but has to be done. They are plain and simple songs of the working man or woman, and country loves that, as it is about the only genre that takes the time to remember that there are people that should be honored when it is easier to sing about something else.
Eddie Rabbit – One Of His Biggest Songs!
Yes, there are silly ones too that found their way to number one. C.W. McCall with Convoy in 1975 comes to mind, but he had the last laugh as it sold a few million, has been used in thousands of ways since, plus a movie was based on it. Cledus Maggard And The Citizens Band went number one with The White Knight in 1976 a silly speed trap song that was a real novelty favorite. And of course Red Sovine’s, Teddy Bear, which actually has a silly title, but the song is anything but. And is a real old-school favorite.
HUGE Hit – LOL
Truckin’ Songs helped give birth to the working folks anthems, and that list is endless in country. That is one of the most unique things we do. They are songs of a different sort. A love of their job, a love of the road, their country, a love of their rig, and above all – love to the spouses and loving family that anxiously await their safe return home after a long week on the road.
