ROCKY’S PANDEMIC PLAYLIST, PART 5
SIX DAYS ON THE ROAD
Dave Dudley, 1963: This week’s playlist goes out to all the truck drivers keeping our supply lines open, without the benefit of diners and rest stops. First off we turn to the late Dave Dudley, who recorded dozens of truckers’ favourites. “Six Days on the Road” is his best known. Written by Earl Green and Carl Montgomery, the song was a hit for Dudley in 1963 despite the lyric “I’ve taken little white pills and my eyes are open wide.” Also try the 1971 Flying Burritos Brothers version.
MAMA HATED DIESELS
Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, 1972: Like everyone else, some truckers can have family issues, as this wonderfully over-the-top weeper demonstrates. Written by obscure California country singer Kevin (Blackie) Farrell, “Mama Hated Diesels” landed on “Hot Licks, Cold Steel and Truckers’ Favorites,” the second studio album by the Ann Arbor-based Commander Cody. Consider it homage to the White Freightliner. Also try “Semi-Truck” from the same LP.
I’VE BEEN EVERYWHERE
Hank Snow, 1962: The song was originally written by Australia’s Geoff Mack to celebrate the many unusual place names found “Down Under.” Nova Scotia country singer Hank Snow was offered the song and asked if Mack could rewrite it for a North American audience. He did and Snow’s version hit No. 1 on the country charts. The song cites about 90 different North American locales. It has been covered by many of the greats, including Stompin’ Tom Connors, and, of course, Johnny Cash.
WILLIN’
Little Feat, 1972: Truckers are often depicted in song as modern outlaws, never more so than in the Lowell George classic “Willin’.” George wrote it while still a member of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. “Willin’” was recorded by Seatrain and The Byrds before George formed Little Feat and released two different versions on the bands first two albums, slowing it down for 1972’s “Sailin’ Shoes.” Other great covers include Linda Ronstadt’s from her “Heart like a Wheel” album.
WHITE LINE
Willie P. Bennett, 1975. Life on the road can be hell, especially for a hitchhiker dependent on the kindness of a big-rig driver. Toronto-born songwriter Willie P. Bennett captured that lonesome torment perfectly on “White Line,” first recorded by David Wiffen before appearing on Willie’s debut LP “Trying to Start Out Clean,” recorded at Hamilton’s Grant Avenue Studio. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, featuring Hamilton’s Tom Wilson, also recorded a powerful version.