Story Behind The Song
Pontiacs were my father's car of choice. Consequently, I drove a few myself as hand me downs. It was sad to see them go. Some of my family members worked in the breweries. I bought the Stella guitar for this song at a Goodwill for about $14. It was pretty much a wall hanging until I stumbled upon the Nashville or high strung tuning which made the guitar come alive and this song felt like it was trapped inside waiting to get out.
Song Description
'Pontiac's No More' is a ballad that laments the demise of the Pontiac brand as seen through the eyes of a worker who made them.
| Song Length |
4:10 |
Genre |
Folk - Americana, Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Outraged, Troubled |
Subject |
Frustration, Equality |
| Similar Artists |
Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
'Pontiac's No More'
I worked the line 30 years.
and I still hear it ringin' in my ears.
They shut it down.
put a chain across the door.
I don't build Pontiacs no more
Pontiac's no more.
The governor wouldn't cut a deal.
left the union boys
standin' on their heels.
There's no golden parachute
when you work the factory floor.
We don't build Pontiacs no more.
Pontiac's no more.
My uncle made Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.
They left him high and dry after 40 years.
They cut his medical.
They cut his pension.
The things they done to him,
flat out should not have happened.
Now he won't buy Pabst beer
at the store.
And I won't drive Pontiacs no more.
Pontiac's no more.
The first new car my Daddy
ever owned,
was a 60 Pontiac Ventura,
long and white and full of chrome.
2 door hard top coupe,
push-button radio
Rochester carburetor,
man that thing could go
jet tail lights, rear wheel drive,
not too good in snow,
tell me something
I don't already know.
They don't make them like that anymore.
Pontiac's no more.
You can blame it on the economy.
You can blame it on big corporate salaries.
You can blame it on the oil companies.
You can blame it on the Japanese.
You can blame it on Wall Street greed.
I just built Pontiacs.
Don't blame this on me.
Don't put this on me.
I worked the line 30 years
and I still hear it ringin' in my ears.
Written By: John Stano Copyright 2009
Stella high-strung acoustic guitar, vocals: John Stano
From the album: "Caribou Bar & Grill"
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