Author Topic: Bad Motorcycle (Read 4204 times)

frozengoose · « **on:** November 21, 2019, 12:20:09 AM »

So I was plowing snow again, the third or fourth time in a week or so. It gets kind of boring, so the mind wanders, when this song pops into my head.

" Well, my little baby, she rides a motorcycle, brrooom-pa-pa-pa, pa-pa-pa-pow"

So then I. think, where did that song come from? When I get done, it takes a while cause I only go 5-6 mph on the tractor when it's chained up, I Google it up. Turns out it's called She's a Bad Motorcycle, done by the Crestones, a local Chicago area band that had one big hit in 1964. So now it's starting to make sense. My seminal year in high school and I really wanted a motorcycle, but of course my parents wanted me to go to college. As luck would have it, I got a job that summer loading trucks at union scale, so not only did I make enough to pay my tuition and room and board, there was enough left over to buy a motorcycle. A 1958 500 cc BSA single. Not a Gold Star, but a really bad motorcycle. Everybody starts somewhere, that was mine. So do you have a motorcycle song that brings back memories from when you got your first bike, or maybe just thought about getting one?. Instead of arguing about the fate of Roamers or discussing a cure for hemorrhoids, what's your favorite biker song?

And for anybody who cares to know the lyrics...
http://www.rockabilly.nl/lyrics4/s0275.htm

chuck peterson · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2019, 06:25:12 AM »

"I don't want a pickle..."

jas67 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2019, 06:33:47 AM »

Quote from: chuck peterson on November 21, 2019, 06:25:12 AM

"I don't want a pickle..."

"Just want to ride my motor-sickle....."

Sheepdog · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2019, 09:26:50 AM »

As a fourteen year old with my first bike, I absolutely dug "Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf. The soundtrack to "Easy Rider" was one of my first LPs...

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2019, 09:33:51 AM »

Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yw2yKNLEPc

My older Brother had a Rapide but I could only afford a Commet

RinkRat II · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2019, 10:00:31 AM »

Being a West coast kid it was the Beach Boys' "Little Honda" for me. I could only afford a mini bike on a paperboys salary, but it was the start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZOGlgVldAs

Paul B

screamday · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2019, 10:04:37 AM »

Being a whack-job it was Love and Rockets "I Feel Speed".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHPDfJK-MjM

Lannis · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2019, 10:21:31 AM »

This combination of "bad" and "motorcycle" is still my favorite after all these years ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZncehIh_Kw

Lannis

frozengoose · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2019, 01:37:29 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on November 21, 2019, 10:21:31 AM

This combination of "bad" and "motorcycle" is still my favorite after all these years ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZncehIh_Kw

Lannis

Great collection of old bike vids. The first 2 bikes are pre-unit Triumph Thunderbirds, I believe, with the Nacelle headlight and "bathtub" enclosed body work. Nice!

Couldn't find a video but here's the original song...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1TaVKpyO-s

travelingbyguzzi · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2019, 01:42:20 PM »

Don’t forget ‘Bad Motorscooter’ by Montrose.

menzies · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2019, 05:00:15 PM »

Motorcycle Mama by a group called Sailcat. Recorded in Muscle Shoals in the early 70's.

Shorty · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2019, 05:16:16 PM »

JJ Cale Low Rider https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmMli26WPqY

ratguzzi · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2019, 05:19:09 PM »

I don't think Dylan wrote it but partial lyrics from his website.
You belong to someone else, and I do too

It's just crazy bein' here with you

As a bad motorcycle with the devil in the seat

Going ninety miles an hour down a dead end street

Ninety miles an hour down a dead end street.

Matteo · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2019, 05:49:16 PM »

Quote from: Sheepdog on November 21, 2019, 09:26:50 AM

As a fourteen year old with my first bike, I absolutely dug "Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf. The soundtrack to "Easy Rider" was one of my first LPs...

The Weight became my favorite, went to see that movie 12 times when it came out.

guzzisteve · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2019, 06:44:57 PM »

Heard them all, my Fav is Rock & Roll Lifestyle by Cake---------

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILRpRv57H0g

"How much did you pay for that Bad Moto Guzzi"

Testarossa · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2019, 07:00:25 PM »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8UKf65NOzM

Lame fame: Leader of the pack, by the Shangri-Las. Around 1978 I was teaching rock climbing and whitewater canoeing at an adult camp in the Berkshires. The staff put on a show each Saturday night and I rode the Honda up a ramp onto the stage for this number.

frozengoose · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2019, 07:35:46 PM »

Quote from: frozengoose on November 21, 2019, 01:37:29 PM

Couldn't find a video but here's the original song...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1TaVKpyO-s

Here's a remake with a video from a group called the Long Rifles? Audio not so good but some scenes from The Wild One, I'd guess...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-eFZIBC3s8

Robert · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2019, 07:46:44 PM »

Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots
Vaughn Monroe
Album There I Sing / Swing It Again

He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101

Well, he never washed his face and he never combed his hair
He had axle grease imbedded underneath his fingernails
On the muscle of his arm was a red tattoo
A picture of a heart saying "Mother, I love you"

He had a pretty girlfriend by the name of Mary Lou
But he treated her just like he treated all the rest
And everybody pitied her and everybody knew
He loved that doggone motorcycle best

He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101

Mary Lou, poor girl, she pleaded and she begged him not to leave
She said "I've got a feeling if you ride tonight I'll grieve"
But her tears were she'd in vain and her every word was lost
In the rumble of an engine and the smoke from his exhaust

Then he took off like the Devil and there was fire in his eyes! He
Said "I'll go a thousand miles before the sun can rise." But he hit a screamin' diesel
That was California-bound" And when they cleared the wreckage, all
They found

Was his black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
But they couldn't find the 'cicle that took off like a gun
And they never found the terror of Highway 1 oh 1

stonelover · « **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2019, 08:00:34 PM »

Quote from: Robert on November 21, 2019, 07:46:44 PM

Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots
Vaughn Monroe
Album There I Sing / Swing It Again

He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101

Well, he never washed his face and he never combed his hair
He had axle grease imbedded underneath his fingernails
On the muscle of his arm was a red tattoo
A picture of a heart saying "Mother, I love you"

He had a pretty girlfriend by the name of Mary Lou
But he treated her just like he treated all the rest
And everybody pitied her and everybody knew
He loved that doggone motorcycle best

He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101

Mary Lou, poor girl, she pleaded and she begged him not to leave
She said "I've got a feeling if you ride tonight I'll grieve"
But her tears were she'd in vain and her every word was lost
In the rumble of an engine and the smoke from his exhaust

Then he took off like the Devil and there was fire in his eyes! He
Said "I'll go a thousand miles before the sun can rise." But he hit a screamin' diesel
That was California-bound" And when they cleared the wreckage, all
They found

Was his black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
But they couldn't find the 'cicle that took off like a gun
And they never found the terror of Highway 1 oh 1

Turin · « **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2019, 08:55:30 PM »

You guys understand CAKE is not being complimentary when they mention "that bad moto guzzi" right? The song is about a douchebag.

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #20 on:** November 22, 2019, 01:02:53 PM »

Hank Snow did this one in the fifties. It's a favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLiCSp6tQ8c

poorBob · « **Reply #21 on:** November 22, 2019, 09:52:17 PM »

Shin Kicker by Rory Gallagher

It's a shin kickin' morning
gonna kickstart the day
wind up my machine and I'll be on my way....

Automatically jumps into my head and turns up the volume at the start of every long ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFF4VP-EclU

moto-uno · « **Reply #22 on:** November 23, 2019, 12:10:29 AM »

Sammy Hagar ," I can't drive 55 " ,

, Peter

larrys · « **Reply #23 on:** November 23, 2019, 07:27:47 AM »

Quote from: Sheepdog on November 21, 2019, 09:26:50 AM

As a fourteen year old with my first bike, I absolutely dug "Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf. The soundtrack to "Easy Rider" was one of my first LPs..

John Kay, way underrated songwriter. "Magic Carpet Ride" was a favorite.
Larry

Moto Vita · « **Reply #24 on:** November 25, 2019, 08:03:05 AM »

Speeding Motorcycle by Daniel Johnston. If your not into oom pa pa you might like Yo La Tengo's version better.

frozengoose · « **Reply #25 on:** November 25, 2019, 10:40:23 AM »

Quote from: Moto Vita on November 25, 2019, 08:03:05 AM

If your not into oom pa pa you might like Yo La Tengo's version better.

But that's the best part of the song...along with the ending where "she's runnin' nitro". At least, that is in my memories of a 17 y.o. wanna be biker!

BrotherJim · « **Reply #26 on:** November 25, 2019, 11:42:00 AM »

Quote from: screamday on November 21, 2019, 10:04:37 AM

Being a whack-job it was Love and Rockets "I Feel Speed".

And they had their song "Motorcycle" as well. "Sometimes you let me down, sometimes you let me down..."

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Author Topic: Bad Motorcycle (Read 4204 times)