Black Denim Trousers

Album: The Second Rock And Roll Collection Volume Two (1955)
Charted: 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by the team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, better known for writing hits for Elvis, this much recorded 1950s uptempo track was described by Desmond Carrington half a century later as a '50s anthem about speed, which sums it up accurately. Certainly it is not an ode to sartorial elegance:

    He never washed his face
    And he never combed his hair
    He had axle grease embedded
    Underneath his fingernails

    although it just might have been the song that inspired "Leader of the Pack." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • This song tells the story of a guy who loves his motorcycle more than anything in the world, including his girl, Mary Lou. He meets his doom when he goes for a ride and is cleaned out by a diesel truck. When the wreckage clears, all that's left of him is his black denim trousers and motorcycle boots.
  • Vaughn Monroe and The Cheers released competing versions of this song in late 1955, with the version by The Cheers proving more popular (#6 in the US; Monroe's peaked at #38). The Cheers recorded it with an orchestra conducted by Les Baxter as "Black Denim Trousers"; Monroe's was titled "Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots."

Comments: 1

  • Mr Pheasent from Etna CaMy brothers had a LP Album with this on it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.