Vehicle

Album: Vehicle (1970)
Charted: 31 2
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  • Hey, well
    I'm the friendly stranger in the black Sedan
    Won't you hop inside my car?
    I got pictures, got candy
    I'm a lovable man
    And I can take you to the nearest star

    I'm your vehicle, baby
    I'll take you anywhere you want to go
    I'm your vehicle, woman
    by now I'm sure you know

    That I love ya (love ya)
    I need ya (need ya)
    I want ya
    Got to have you, child
    Great God in Heaven, you know I love you

    Well, if you wants to be a movie star
    I can-a take you to Hollywood
    But if you want to stay just like you are
    You know, I think you really should

    I'm your vehicle, baby
    I'll take you anywhere you want to go
    I'm your vehicle, woman
    by now I'm sure you know

    That I love ya (love ya)
    I need ya (need ya)
    I want ya
    Got to have you, child
    Great God in Heaven, you know I love you
    Oh, you know I do

    Well, I'm the friendly stranger in the black Sedan
    Won't you hop inside my car?
    I got pictures, candy
    I'm a lovable man
    And I can take you to the nearest star

    I'm your vehicle, babe
    I'll take you anywhere you want to go
    I'm your vehicle, woman
    by now I'm sure you know

    That I love ya (love ya)
    I need ya (need ya)
    I want ya
    I got to have you
    Great God in Heaven, you know I love you

    And I'm your vehicle, babe, alright
    You know I love ya (love ya)
    I need ya (need ya)
    I want ya
    Got to have you, child
    Great God in Heaven, you know I love you Writer/s: James M. Peterik
    Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 29

  • Rich P. from Homer Glen, IllinoisI saw the Ides at Richards Ballroom in Berwyn, Il. right after Vehicle hit the airwaves. They were great and had to play it many times because that's what the crowd wanted. We had 2 top notch club bands in the area then. The Ides and TW4 who later changed their name to Styx. I met Jim a few times and he is just a regular guy who's still having fun and will play anywhere and anytime. One question for him...What happened to my green Precision?
  • Diane Lori from PhiladelphiaOne of best songs ever. And I love music, from Godsmack, Incubus, Country Western. I'm a legend in my own time. Bad to the bone. God fearing. Loyal. I do know my music. People tell me that all the time. I rocked out today. I also race cars. Auto mechanic.
  • Ray White from Columbus I used to race cars in when I was young and heard this song at the track. I felt it related to me and my car which motivated my desire to win. Later on I felt he was a child molester but the song was strong had a strong rhythm. I still get nostalgic when I hear it and love it to death.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenMy mother did not react well to this song's lyrics. She thought it portrayed some pervert riding around, looking for innocent girls to pick up and molest. The fact that my sister was 12 at the time didn't help one bit.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm
    Morton College in Cicero, Illinois inducted Jim Peterik of the Ides of March and Survivor into its inaugural Hall of Fame class Friday (February 10th, 2017). Jim was present and sang “Vehicle” and “Eye Of The Tiger” for the assembled guests.
    "Vehicle" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} in 1970, while "Eye of the Tiger" reached #1 {for 6 weeks} in 1982...
  • Markantney from BiloxeMay 2015, someone mentioned it earlier but I too thought this song was about a Pimp or Pimpish, picking up strays. Which made this song a "Guilty Pleasure" for me, so I'm glad I'm still going to H3LL but not because I like this song.

    Same with "Into the Night" by Bennie Mardones(sp); though I still have a problem with that "she's only 16 yrs old,..."

    Not to mention, some of my favorite "R&B" (sounding) songs aren't from "Brothas"?? This Song, "LowDown", "JoJo", "Georgy Porgy", "G.L.O.R.I.A." (Van Morrison's), "A Love of Your Own"...
  • Markantney from BiloxeMay 2015, between this (GREAT) Song and Sly Stone "Thankyoufaletmebemyself" they fight to a Draw on which is the funkiest. I've never played/heard either and didn't want to hear it from start-finish.

    The horns in "Vehicle" are off the Planet.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 22nd 1970, "Vehicle" by the Ides of March entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #98; eight weeks later on May 17th, 1970 it would peaked at #2* {for 1 week} and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
    Between 1966 and 1971 the Chicago-based group had five Top 100 records; after "Vehicle" their next biggest hit was "You Wouldn't Listen", it reached #42 in 1966 and was their debut on the chart...
    Jim Peterik, the group's lead singer & guitarist, wrote "Vehicle", and come next November 11th {2015} he will celebrate his 65th birthday...
    * The week "Vehicle" was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "American Woman" by the Guess Who.
  • Biggie from Lansing, MiI love one hit wonders like The Ides of March. For the 3 minutes "Vehicle" is on, they might as well be the best band ever.
  • Adrienne from Los Angeles, CaMy mom had a green 1970 Oldsmobile we used to call "the Green Bomb"...the radio was always tuned to the oldies stations because she thought modern music didn't have a good message [it was the 80's!] Anyway, I always loved this song growing up, and now that I *am* grown up...it has become my shower-song! Yes, Vehicle by The Ides of March, is my song of choice while showering! Peterik doesn't know it, but we've had lots of good, clean, fun together! ; ]
  • Ken from Wilmington, NcAll great songs have a great story behind them - it is so cool to know the story behind this one. Thanks Jim for sharing it!
  • Teresa from Mechelen, Belgium"Beware of the Ides of March" he said but Julius Caesar didn't, and that's why he was assassinated in the senate-house by his enemies and also by his adopted son Brutus . The great Caesar said " tu quoque, fili" (you too my son) and than he died.
  • Carol from Clayton, CaI used to think this song was about a dope pushing pimp, thanks for setting the record straight! One of my favorites from 1970, especially love the horn section.
  • Rob from Muscatine, IaGot to be one of my all time favorites, I'm from the 60's Once got kicked off home town radio station for playing Love Me Tender.

  • James from Gettysburg, PaI love this song. My dad described the Ides of March to me as "a poor man's Blood Sweat & Tears", and I think he was right but what a song they managed to squeeze out of their one-hit-wonder status! I listen to this on loop every March 15, over and over and it never gets old.
  • Mike from Hueytown , AlCool song...you can't help but put the petal to the metal when you here it
  • Jane from Prattville, AlI've always loved Vehicle and it's a good thing that cops were never around when it blasted my radio back in the day, because my foot would always get heavy! My son, David, met Jim today and loved the show he put on, David even got an autograph for me. Great music, thanks Jim and thanks for the autograph. Jane
  • Pete from Ny, NyI'm amazed to read that they were all teenagers when this was made. If any song sounds like it was recorded by old pros, it's this one. Great growling vocal, great lead, great horns.... teenagers! I don't believe it.
  • Michael from Bolingbrook , IlI grew up in Berwyn. My older brother went to school with Jim and the other members of the Ides of March. They ALWAYS won the "Battle of the Bands" contests that were held among tyhe high schools in the area. Without a doubt Jim Peterik is the most famous alumni to come out of Morton West high school. What a great time those days were.
  • Jeffrey from Milwaukee, WiVehicle is a great song, but lets forget about Superman!
  • Antonio from Monterrey, MexicoA great song,one of the all-time best rock songs, and even when i'm not a great fan of tv shows like American Idol, Mr. Bice did a good job
  • Rick from San Juan, United StatesTheir 1966 hit "You Wouldn't Listen" (as "The I'des Of March) is one of the finest recordings from the garage rock era.
  • Donna from Rochester, NyBO DID AWESOME JOB WITH "VEHICLE", He has an amazing sounding voice!!! I can listen to him for hours. I have purchased his single cd with "Inside Your Heaven" and "Vehicle", and have been playing it over and over again. I also think there should have been 2 American Idol winners this season, because Bo deserved to win!!!
    Best of luck to you Bo, in your career!!!
    Congratulations to you and your bride!!!
    Faithful fan 4-ever!!!

    Donna, Rochester NY
  • Sally from Fairfax, VaWhat do you think about Bo Bice's cover of this song? I enjoyed the song when it originally came out and am loving Bo's version.
  • Debra from Alexandria, LaMy Mom used to crank this one (And many others), but she really loved this song...I do too :) I mean Im an "Oldie" and this is definately a "Goodie" still!!
  • Mike from Indianapolis, InLove the horns on this song! I believe that I had read that Led Zeppelin's TRAMPLED UNDERFOOT was influenced by this song, thus the automobile/love connection. Seeing that they toured together probably confirms this.
  • Jordan from WvYa this song is F'in sweet!
  • Ric from Hartsdale, NyOne of my all time favorite oldies
  • Dave from Pomeroy, OhIt dosen't get a whole lot better than this
see more comments

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