Motor City Steel

Album: Why You So Crazy (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In the years 2006-2014, Courtney Taylor-Taylor lived in a small Washington town. This song tells the true story of two young people that The Dandy Warhols lead singer knew back then.
  • This slice of country-fried Americana recounts a love story between typical small-town boy Travis and his more sophisticated girlfriend Ricky.

    Travis and Ricky, relationship is tricky
    But Ricky is a girl who wants to see the world
    But Travis is a boy, boys like a toy
    The Ram with a straight axle way off the board


    Taylor Taylor changed their names for the song.
  • Taylor Taylor said he found such a clash between teenage lovers to be a fairly common occurrence in the small Washington town. "The guys generally get online to check out fishing gear, truck parts, and compound bows," he explained. "Whereas more and more, the gals check out New York, Paris, Hollywood and the like."
  • There is a happy ending to the real-life story. "Rikki" returned home well over a year later, married "Travis" and now they're a family of four.
  • The song title refers to the nickname of Detroit, which is known as the motor car capital of the world. Both Ford and Chevrolet, who are referenced in the song, have their base of operations there.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.