Chet Nichols

Chet Nichols

The Last Riders On Route 66 (#1 Folk-Rock, Folk-Rural)

Story Behind The Song

Based on the novel, "The Last Riders On Route 66". http://www.chetnichols.net

Song Description

TOP TEN - Folk-Rock TOP TEN - Folk-Rural #1 Folk-Rural

Song Length 4:09 Genre Rock - Americana, Rock - Americana
Tempo Medium Fast (131 - 150) Lead Vocal Male Vocal
Mood Pleasant, Welcoming Subject Road
Similar Artists The Band, Bob Segar Language English
Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

"The Last Riders On Route 66"
*********************************
Lyrics and Music by Chet Nichols
Copyright 2002 by Chet Nichols (ASCAP)/Magic Garage Music (ASCAP)
MagicGarageMusic@gmail.com * http://www.chetnichols.net
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
"Grand Prize Winner in The Route 66 Theme Song Contest 2002-2003"

Verse 1
It was the Spring of '67
When this story starts
It's about two boys who hit the road
With their thumbs and their hearts
California was calling them
The blue skies and the beach
Were waiting down America's Main Street
They were right there in their reach
And they heard Will Roger's highway
Was about to change its name
To another nameless freeway
They knew they'd never get the chance again

CHORUS
They were the last riders on route 66
Hitchin' and crusin' and grooving' on the Mother Road
They were the last riders on route 66
They were livin' and laughin' and lovin' on the Mother Road

Verse 2
They saw lots of paintings of Elvis
Using neon paint against black velvet
Blacktop ham and eggs and red corvettes
Along that 4-lane amusement park
The road was lined with strange landmarks
And Desert-Deco towns shining thru the dark
They learned about love on the highway
And in a rockin' little beach hotel
By the time they got back to Oklahoma
Lord, they had some stories to tell

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE
Every ride that picked them up
Was like changing a TV channel
They met hippies and hustlers and soldiers and truckers
And quite a few dangerous damsels
And the jackalopes in Arizona
Where just the right size to ride
Out where the tee-pee motels
Meet the desert sky

REPEAT CHORUS


Great tribute to a great old road. It touches so many of the attractions and cool destinations of an era.

Always nice to hear about how it was in the old days when I was a young rabbit.

a good sounding country rock track with a bit of a honky tonk sound. quite a fun track that should appeal to the country rock fans

Very authentic roots/country/ rock tune. Reminiscent of Bob Segar and some of his classic songs. Well written story song, super vocals, very authentic rock and roll sound.

great story song sounds like you had a good time playing it its a toe tapper for sure. like the driving guitar

I like the feel of the song and all of the lyrics. Lots of nostalgia.

This song from the first note makes you want to dance at least it does me. Although it is a country song it has that early Elvis feel with a little bluesy feel great blend. This is a very fun song to listen to, the intro kind of has that Jail House Rock feel to it which is what got my attention from the start since I am a huge Elvis fan.

You nailed it!!!! I love the lyric...love the arrangement...at 4:10 it's a little long for commercial radio but it's a great length for a CD, download or live performance...you could always do a radio edit and end it around 3:45...loved the retro Americana/rock groove...you reminded me of the boss at times...this is one helluva song

I think the tune needs to find a home in some program about Rt 66. I hope it happens!!! Great garage band vibe. It's catchy and would really fit if paired with imagery of riders out on the road.

Nice travelling tune. Rockin guitar work. Tight harmonies. Well done.

I hit LA in '63 from Chicago on 66 and just took another run here and there this summer. I really enjoyed the sng ad the vibe. You all must be a kick to see and hear live. Loved the arrangement.

I love the story of this track. Have been that road many times from CA to OK and back. Nice groove. Good job!

Great job Chet! I have heard this before and you know I love it. Great song!

Fun nostalgic song! Nice vibe. Good hook.

Nice song - I wanted to hear what was going to happen next! I can imagine this being pitched to Toby Keith or Trace Adkins.

There is a good happy feeling to this song... and I like the lyrics...

Great tune! Well played, well sung, arranged and recorded

Nice beat; fun song; nice harmonies--really liked the harmonies. Like the keyboard. Really liked the instruments.

Lyrics Chet Nichols Music Chet Nichols
Producer Chet Nichols Publisher Magic Garage Music (ASCAP) & Chet Nichols (ASCAP)
Performance Chet Nichols on all instruments and vocals Label Magic Garage Records

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