Deep Cuts

Deep Cuts: Car Crash Songs

car crashesThis is a list that can go on and on. Car and motorcycle crash songs were an early rock and roll genre (“Leader of the Pack,” for example), and their popularity enjoyed a short revival with Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out Of Hell.”

But those are too easy. This is “Deep Cuts,” after all, so here are some more obscure crash songs for your playlist:

“Always Crashing in the Same Car,” David Bowie. From Low, the first album of the Berlin trilogy.

“Crash Landing,” Jimi Hendrix. Okay, it isn’t really about a car crash, but any excuse to listen to Jimi, right?

“Crash N Burn,” Social 66

“Car Crash,” Matt Nathanson

“Limo Wreck,” Soundgarden. You can buy an insanely expensive 20th anniversary edition of Superunknown, and if you do let me know whether it’s worth the money.

“Crawling From The Wreckage,” Rockpile. One of the many high points of Concerts for the People of Kampuchea is the Dave Edmunds/Nick Lowe awesomeness of Rockpile.

“Kiss Them For Me,” Siouxsie and the Banshees. You’d never know it unless you paid close attention, but this is a terribly sad song. Written from the perspective of a post-car accident Jayne Mansfield, the bombshell’s ghost asks the listener to “Kiss [my children] for me / I may be delayed.”

“The Right Profile,” The Clash. And speaking of celebrity car crashes, this one’s all about Montgomery Clift, honey.

Okay, it’s time for everybody to get up, move their feet, get down, and leave their seats. What car crash songs are on your playlist? I’m listening.

8 replies »

  1. I realize this is low hanging fruit, but “Mmm Mmm Mmm” by the Crash Test Dummies. Not just because of their name, but the verse about the kid that got into an accident and his hair turned white.

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  2. Don’t know if this really qualifies as a “car crash” song but this the first song that popped into my head….I’m feeling kinda punk today….

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  3. “Terminus Eldorado” – Ted Nugent
    “Dead Man’s Curve” – Jan & Dean
    “Come Back Jonee” – DEVO
    “Papa Loved Mama” – Garth Brooks
    “A Young Man is Gone” – The Beach Boys

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    • Outstanding. Can’t believe I forgot “Terminus Eldorado.” I left “Come Back Jonee” off hoping that some brilliant reader would come up with that nugget, so guess what that makes you?

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