7 Famous Songs About Cars
Mentioned in almost every type of media possible, cars have been included in some of the most famous songs of all time.
Whilst there are hundreds of songs that talk about driving or using a car in general, these 7 songs all feature actual car makes or models.
1. Mercedes Benz – released in 1971, Mercedes Benz (sic) was one of the last songs Janis Joplin ever recorded but is arguably one of her most popular.
A short song where Janis asks the Lord to buy her several items (including a Mercedes-Benz), it has been used in various ways since it’s release, including a selection of television advertisements, most recently in 2007 when a new range of C, CL and GL Class cars entered Mercedes-Benz dealers.
2. Mustang Sally – recorded originally by Mack Rice in 1965 but made popular by Wilson Pickett in 1966, it was influenced by the fact that the leader of Della Reese’s (a popular American singer) band wanted a new Mustang.
Something that isn’t widely known is that the song was called Mustang Mama to start with, but the name Mustang Sally was suggested by soul singer Aretha Franklin.
3. Little Red Corvette – released in 1982, Little Red Corvette is a song by Prince that is famous more for being full of innuendos than anything else.
With the Rolling Stones currently ranking the song at just above place 100 in their 500 greatest songs of all time list, it is arguably the most popular song about a car to date.
4. Jaguar – included on The Who’s third studio album, The Who Sell Out, Jaguar is a catchy 2 minutes 51 second song that talks about how you can get to certain places you particularly adore in your car, but that you may already be there if you own a Jaguar.
5. Red Barchetta – a song by the famous Canadian prog rock band Rush, Red Barchetta was released on 28 February 1981 and is said to have been inspired by one of Richard Foster’s stories titled A Nice Morning Drive.
Revolving around a time set in a dystopian society in the future where most cars have been taken under The Motor Law, one person has kept a vehicle they shouldn’t have – a red Barchetta – and drives it occasionally, once almost getting caught for doing so.
6. Black Devil Car – if you’re a fan of Jamiroquai, you’ll be aware that front man Jay Kay is an avid car fan and he has included references to his cars and driving in general in various Jamiroquai songs.
The most notable of these is Black Devil Car, which features on Dynamite, the band’s sixth album and is about Jay Kay’s stunning black Ferrari Enzo.
7. Cortina MK II – recorded by mod revival band The Lambrettas in 1981 and included on their debut album Beat Boys In The Jet Age, the song is about a young boy who was going out with a girl and wants a Ford Cortina desperately because the boy she left him for had a Cortina.
Jardine Motors Group UK operates a large portfolio of specialist franchises of the world’s most prestigious marques, including Mercedes-Benz dealers.
