The Byrds Drug Store Truck Drivin Man Lyrics
Introduction
The Byrds were an American rock band who were popular in the 1960s. They were known for their folk rock sound and close harmonies. One of their most famous songs is Drug Store Truck Drivin Man. This song was written by Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons and was first released in 1968. It is a protest song that takes aim at a radio DJ who was critical of the hippie movement.
Verse 1
The song starts with the lyrics "He's a drug store truck drivin man / He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan". These lyrics are a reference to a real-life radio DJ named Ralph Emery. Emery was a country music DJ who was critical of the hippie movement and the counterculture. He was also a member of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group.
Verse 2
The second verse of the song is "When summer rolls around / He'll be lucky if he's not found". These lyrics are a reference to the fact that Emery was known for his aggressive driving. He was often seen speeding on the roads and was lucky to have not been involved in a serious accident.
Chorus
The chorus of the song is "Well, he's got him a house on the hill / He plays country records till you've had your fill / He's a fireman's friend, he's an all night DJ / But he sure does think different from the records he plays". These lyrics are a commentary on the fact that Emery played country music on his radio show, but was critical of the hippie movement and the counterculture.
Verse 3
The third verse of the song is "He's the man who thinks he's learned to fly / He's always high, he's got no time to die". These lyrics are a reference to the fact that Emery was known for his drug use. He was often seen smoking marijuana and was known to be high on air during his radio shows.
Verse 4
The fourth verse of the song is "Tune in, he's a truck drivin man / But tonight he's in Los Angeles". These lyrics are a reference to the fact that Emery was based in Nashville, but had a show that was broadcast nationally. The Byrds were based in Los Angeles and were known for their ties to the counterculture.
Verse 5
The fifth verse of the song is "Checkin' the fill with Johnny 'Guitar' Watson / Up comes a car with Pennsylvania plates / Johnny wipes his hands on his denim / And he's pourin' gas in the pinto brakes". These lyrics are a reference to the fact that the song was written by Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons. Parsons was from Pennsylvania and was known for his love of country music. Johnny 'Guitar' Watson was a blues guitarist who was popular in the 1960s.
Verse 6
The sixth verse of the song is "Give me a half a gallon of red-eye / And a half a gallon of wine / We'll rock this truck from left to right / Until we see the Memphis skyline". These lyrics are a reference to the fact that the song is a protest song. The Byrds were known for their political activism and were often critical of the establishment.
Conclusion
Drug Store Truck Drivin Man is a classic protest song that takes aim at a radio DJ who was critical of the hippie movement and the counterculture. The Byrds were known for their political activism and were often critical of the establishment. This song is a testament to their commitment to social justice and their belief in the power of music to effect change.