March 28, 2025 —– Chart #291
Hello Music Friends,
Hey folks, welcome to another edition of Chart of the Week. I don’t know about you, but there are certain songs that just ooze cool. They make you want to put the top down, throw on some shades, and cruise down a sun-drenched highway with nothing but the wind in your hair and a sense of reckless abandon in your heart. One of those songs is Route 66.
Now, this gem was penned in 1946 by a guy named Bobby Troup, who, much like the rest of us, had a dream of escaping the mundane. His big plan? Take his wife, pack up the car, and head west to Los Angeles. I don’t know what exactly he was running from, but considering he wrote a song about a highway that stretches across eight states and roughly 2,500 miles, I’d say he was pretty serious about getting gone.
While most of us would stop for gas and beef jerky, Troup took a slightly different approach—he wrote a song that would become a timeless road trip anthem. The tune was first recorded by Nat King Cole, which is a little like having your high school essay turned into a Broadway play starring Al Pacino. It was smooth, classy, and an instant hit.
Who Played It Best?
Since its debut, Route 66 has been covered by a veritable who’s who of rock, jazz, and blues. You’ve got Chuck Berry giving it some rock ‘n’ roll attitude, the Rolling Stones making it extra gritty, and even Depeche Mode (yes, you read that right) putting their own spin on it.
But one of my all-time favorite recordings? Asleep at the Wheel. Now, these guys know their way around a road song. Their version swings like a honky-tonk on wheels, blending their signature Western swing style with the song’s bluesy roots. It’s the perfect soundtrack for rolling down the highway with nothing but open road and a cooler full of cold ones in the backseat. If you haven’t heard it, stop what you’re doing and give it a listen:
The Road Itself
Now, let’s talk about the actual Route 66. This is no ordinary stretch of pavement. It’s Americana on asphalt. It’s roadside diners, neon motel signs, and quirky attractions like the Cadillac Ranch in Texas and the Wigwam Motel in Arizona. It’s the road where you can still find a gas station that sells motor oil and moon pies in the same aisle.
Though the highway was decommissioned in 1985 (because apparently, progress hates fun), sections of the old route remain, lovingly preserved by road trip junkies, vintage sign enthusiasts, and folks who just don’t trust GPS. If you ever get a chance to drive it, do yourself a favor—roll the windows down, put Route 66 on repeat, and let the road work its magic.
Playing the Song
For all my fellow guitar slingers out there, this one is a blast to play. The classic blues progression is simple, the rhythm is infectious, and if you really want to impress people, try working in a Chuck Berry-style riff. Just be warned—if you pull this out at a jam session, somebody will inevitably try to sing it in a key no human should ever attempt.
So, whether you’re traveling, playing, or just dreaming about open roads, this song is for you. As the great Bobby Troup wrote, “Get your kicks on Route 66.” And remember, there’s no such thing as too many road trips, just not enough vacation days.
Keep Rockin’,
Stan Bradshaw
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