For the past two weeks I’ve had three words echoing in my head: “Hot Rod Lincoln.” I’ve been trying to remember to get this song, which I heard on the radio recently but hadn’t heard in years prior. My introduction to this song was from a live version Bill Kirchen did where he put several famous riffs at the end to represent cars his Lincoln was passing (more on that in a minute), but I found this version by Commander Cody, which was — though not the original — the one I heard on the radio last.

MP3: Commander Cody – Hot Rod Lincoln
Now that I’m able to sit down and compare it to the Charlie Ryan original, I think I’m going to go ahead and say that I prefer the Commander Cody version. The iconic riff is really solidified here, and no doubt influenced the similar riff of Johnny Cash’s “One Piece at a Time” — another car song which came out four years after this cover.

But the most important thing about Commander Cody’s song is that it puts you right there in the car with them. Sure, it’s told in past tense, but after the first riff kicks in, you’ve already climbed in the car and strapped in. Each turn, jump and car passed is yours to experience as well. A lot of that is due to the strong vocals and no doubt a great bit is due to the sound effects of the trip — all of which are made by Kirchen on his guitar — but I think most of it is due to the backing section. It’s one of the same reasons I prefer this to the original version; the drums and bass never let up for one minute, constantly keeping you along for the ride. Your brain and ears are probably going to focus on the story as it unfolds, but your heart is tied the rhythm section, and therefore tied in to each twist and turn in the song.

Buy or Listen to Commander Cody on LaLa.com

And here’s more on Bill Kirchen’s updated version of the song. Before he gets arrested in the song, he passes several notables in their cars, signified their their famous riffs. He does everyone from BB King to the Monkeys.

Bill Kirchen “Hot Rod Lincoln”