Hot Rod Lincoln by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen

Album: Lost In The Ozone (1971)

Charted: 9

License This Song

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.
Both the songs "Hot Rod Lincoln" and "Hot Rod Race" are defining anthems of the hot rod community and 1950s car song culture. "Hot Rod Lincoln" has appeared in the soundtracks to The Beverly Hillbillies and MTV's Beavis and Butthead.
This was the only hit for Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, who were a county-rock group formed at the University of Michigan. Commander Cody is lead singer and piano player George Frayne.

Comments: 16

Jennifur Sunthe opening guitar riff reminds me of another song, but for the life ff me I can't think of what it is.
Holly Woods from 59601My dear friend Rebecca Pulley (singer song writer) just released her 8th album..Rebbeca's father played lead guitar in the original "HOT ROD LINCOLN" ..The entire family are very musically talented..including Cindy.
Raysingr from MichiganJennifur Sun, that is Bill Kirchen on the Telecaster.
Jennifur Sun from RamonaWho played the guitar solos on this song?
Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkThanks for all the background info on this song's history. Wow! Well, I only know the Commander Cody version from '71. I was a mere tot in those days & my older brother had the single & album. I loved hearing the song on the radio & it was on quite a lot. I still love it. I always thought the Lincoln they referred to was a Sixties model, but one of our teachers said it was from the Forties. As a classic car nut, I know what those old Lincolns look like. Of course the Sixties Lincolns were so huge and super luxurious, but the song wasn't about them. Then the early Fifties Lincolns were famous for their engines that won many international endurance races. So it seems the song is actually about either a 30s or 40s Lincoln. Ahhh, I still love Lincolns - even the latest ones. What a cool cool song! But - I'm babbling on.
Rocky from Fort Smith, ArI remember the Charlie Ryan version, but also recall the Johnny Bond version was more popular in my area when growing up in 1960. Then later on, I dug the Commander Cody version, but for me, it was the Johnny Bond version that was really cool. This was all 55 to 65 years ago, kids. And thanks to Tom of Marble Falls, AR. I agree with you about the first hot rods being Lincolns & favorites of the bootleggers. We had many of those in my family & a few hot rod Lincolns as well. Cannot agree ith Rich of Portsmouth, NH. But then, New Hampshire was never "hot rod" country anyway. That was mostly in the South and West Coast back in the early 50s, then it spread. Now don't get me wrong----Commander Cody's version is very cool. As a personal preference, I like Bond's version. Well, actually you could say that they all are COOL. Howz that for being very diplomatic?
Rich from Portsmouth, NhLincolns were never hotrods! (big,heavy,luxurious) If you strip one down... maybe. (Charlie Ryan's sequel, "Side-car Cycle" was good too)
Esskayess from Dallas, TxJim Varney did a great cover of this in 1993 for the end credits of the "Beverly Hillbillies" movie.
Wayne from Midvale, UtAs someone has done here, Hot Rod Lincoln is often referred to as the first ever rap song. I think it's only meant jokingly. But still, it can't be the first, since Hot Rod Lincoln is really just a remake of "Hot Rod Race", done with different words.
Michael from Mcfarland, WiTiny Hill also had charting hits with this classic tune, and a response record; "Hot Rod Race #2"
Jeff from Ontario, CaI never did care for the remake of "Hot Rod" link, by Commander Cody. For me, the REAL version was done by Johnny Bond in 1960. When I first heard Commander Cody's version...my first thought was..."who the hell is that?" Unfortunatly as the years went by....the oldies station seem to always play the Cody version..I guess the program directors were too young to know the difference.

Jeff Butler
Ontario, CA
Barry from Sauquoit, NyWhen Charlie Ryan re-released this song in 1960 his back-up group were The Timberline Riders and it peaked at No. 33. Johnny Bond also charted with it; he made it to No. 26 in 1960!!!
John from Kirkland, WaFirst ever recorded rap song ??????? You decide!
Tom from Marble Falls, ArLincolns were the first "hot rods," so much that they became a favorite getaway car for bootleggers and gangsters in the late forties, and early fifties.
Fred from Laurel, MdCommander Cody did piano work on the New Riders of the Purple Sage's first, self-titled, album, released in 1971. Others who played on that album include Jerry Garcia of Grateful Dead, and Spencer Dryden of Jefferson Airplane. This song was deliciously retro, even in 1971, 21 years after its introduction, as we see in the songfacts. Thanks, Darrell!
Guy from Woodinville, WaLove the song! Great story. Great storytelling.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

RaptureBlondie

The first #1 hit with a rap was "Rapture" by Blondie in 1980. Debbie Harry's rhymes left lots of room for improvement.

The FlameCheap Trick

Cheap Trick hated the ballad "The Flame" but recorded it because they needed a hit, and the song delivered, going to #1.

All I Wanna DoSheryl Crow

"All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow started with the first line from an obscure poem called "Fun" that read, "All I wanna do is have some fun."

My AllMariah Carey

Mariah Carey's "My All" is about her affair with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.

Feel It StillPortugal. The Man

"Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Man deals with lead singer John Gourley becoming a "rebel just for kicks" after having a daughter and settling down. "It's hard to be a punk when you're thinking about your baby daughter at home," he says.

Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran wrote the 2014 love song "Thinking Out Loud" about his girlfriend at the time, Athina Andrelos. They split the following year, and Ed started seeing Cherry Seaborn, whom he married in 2019; songs like "Perfect" and "No Strings" are about her.