Music and GM
Connecting the Notes and the Cars Backstage
“Rock ‘n roll was born in an automobile and given its sound by the road.”
-- The New York Times, 2002, September 15
Cars have been influencing music for more than a century. In fact, the most popular song in America back in 1905 was about a car. In My Merry Oldsmobile was a best-seller as sheet music and as one of the first mass market musical recordings. In the 1930s, there was even a cartoon based on the song that was considered risque for its time.
The manufacturer had nothing to do with actually writing or publicizing the song, and the same has since been true of thousands -- yes, thousands -- of songs about other cars.
From Bruce Springsteen’s Pink Cadillac to Prince’s Little Red Corvette … from Blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson’s Pontiac Blues to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love and current country star Dwight Yoakem’s Guitars, Cadillacs and Hillbilly Music . . . cars continue to be the muse for the songwriter and singer as well as the driver and passenger. In the case of one brand alone, Cadillac, it’s been estimated that well over a thousand published songs feature the word Cadillac in their title.
Which songs have struck a chord with you? The Beach Boys’ ode to Chevy power, 409? Ronny and the Daytonas’ GTO? Don McClean’s American Pie? Lyle Lovett’s Pontiac? Or, more recently, rapper WhiteDawg’s ChevyBoy? All conjure up vivid images of moments in life, love, and dreams that these cars bring to the listener’s mind.
No family of cars has had more songs written about it than General Motors, and the GMnext team is tuned in to the huge role that music and cars continue to play in American culture.
That’s why GMnext went on the concert tour, following several artists in a series of music events in several countries and regions this year. GMnext reporters and cameras went behind the stage to get the artists’ insight about the inspiration behind their music and how they connect with their audience.