(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66

"(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" is a popular rhythm and blues song, composed in 1946 by American songwriter Bobby Troup. The lyrics relate a westward roadtrip on U.S. Route 66, a highway which traversed the western two-thirds of the U.S. from Chicago, Illinois, to Los Angeles, California. The song became a standard, with several renditions appearing on the record charts.

"(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66"
Sheet music cover
Single by the King Cole Trio
B-side"Everyone Is Sayin' Hello Again (Why Must We Say Goodbye)"
ReleasedApril 22, 1946 (1946-04-22)
Recorded1946
StudioRadio Recorders, Los Angeles
GenreRhythm and blues
Length2:57
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Bobby Troup

Background

Bobby Troup got the idea for the song on a cross-country drive from Pennsylvania to California.[1] Troup wanted to try his hand as a Hollywood songwriter, so he and his wife, Cynthia, packed up their 1941 Buick and headed west. The trip began on US 40 and continued along US 66 to the California coast.[1] Troup initially considered writing a tune about US 40, but Cynthia suggested the title "Get Your Kicks on Route 66".

The song was started during the ten-day trip and finished after consulting a map in Los Angeles. The lyrics mention several cities and towns encountered along the way;[2] Cynthia later commented: "What I can't really believe is that he doesn't have Albuquerque in the song."[1]

Nat King Cole original version

Location of U.S. Route 66

Nat King Cole, with the King Cole Trio, first recorded the song in 1946 at Radio Recorders in Los Angeles. Capitol Records released it as a single, which reached number three on Billboard magazine's Race Records chart and number eleven on its broader singles chart.[3] Cole later re-recorded the tune for the album After Midnight (1956) and The Nat King Cole Story (1961).

Other recorded renditions

The song has become a standard and has been recorded by numerous artists:[2]

See also

References

  1. Kelly, Susan Croce (1990). Route 66: The Highway and Its People. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 148–149. ISBN 978-0806122915.
  2. Unterberger, Richie. "The Rolling Stones: 'Route 66' – Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Record Research. p. 94. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. p. 113. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955–2012. Record Research. p. 532.
  6. "Grammy Awards Results for Manhattan Transfer". Grammy.com. 1982. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  7. "Original Soundtrack: Sharky's Machine  Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  8. de Lisle, Tim (August 25, 2006). "Drive-Time Blues". Theguardian.com. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  9. "Depeche Mode: Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research. p. 234. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
  11. Phares, Heather. "Cars [Original Soundtrack]  Review". AllMusic. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  12. "Grammy Award Results for John Mayer". Grammy.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
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