I'm a Truck
Encyclopedia
"I'm a Truck" is a song made famous by country music
singer Red Simpson
. Originally released in 1971
, the song — sometimes known as "Hello, I'm a Truck" — became Simpson's biggest hit single, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in January 1972, and spending 17 weeks on this chart.
in 1971, where Simpson agreed to record the song. That fall, it was picked up for national distribution by Capitol Records
.
, "I'm a Truck" is specifically about life on the road through the eyes of a truck
. Instead of giving praise to the hard work of the truck driver (as most truck-driving songs had), the truck — whose story is told in first-person narrative
— takes a cynical look at the profession. For instance, he (the truck) paints the man who drives him as an arrogant braggart, citing as an example the truck driver's story to others of how he topped a long, steep hill with ease but, as the truck points out, conveniently forgets other situations such as missing a gear and causing the truck's engine to stall or nearly driving off the road when he misses a curve. In the former instance, a "Volkswagen bus full of hippies passed us like I was sitting up on jacks"; in the latter case, if it hadn't been for the truck's efforts to stay on the road, "we'd both wound up in the ditch."
After bemoaning his thankless situation of never getting credit for the truck driver's job well done, he continues to muse about his life: The trucker flirts with waitresses but never tip
s them; he winds up parked next to a smelly cattle truck (instead of a pink Mack
with "pretty mudflaps" and chromed stacks); the trucker beats on the tires with an iron (the truck wishes aloud he'd have "a flat on the inside dual" to teach the driver a lesson); and the trucker will probably "take out that tape cartridge of Buck Owens
and play him again (instead of the artist that the truck apparently really enjoys, Merle Haggard
).
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Red Simpson
Red Simpson
Red Simpson is an American country singer-songwriter best known for his trucker-themed songs.-Biography:Red Simpson was raised in Bakersfield, California, the youngest of a dozen children...
. Originally released in 1971
1971 in country music
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1971.-No dates:*Seeking younger, more urban viewers, CBS cancels nearly all of its rural-themed programming...
, the song — sometimes known as "Hello, I'm a Truck" — became Simpson's biggest hit single, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in January 1972, and spending 17 weeks on this chart.
About the song
Producer Gene Breeden had been looking for artists for his label, Portland Limited, when he received a song called "I'm a Truck" from songwriter Robert Stanton. Breeden and Simpson met in Vancouver, WashingtonVancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
in 1971, where Simpson agreed to record the song. That fall, it was picked up for national distribution by Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
.
A truck's story never told
Although the song is about truck drivingTruck driver
A truck driver , is a person who earns a living as the driver of a truck, usually a semi truck, box truck, or dump truck.Truck drivers provide an essential service to...
, "I'm a Truck" is specifically about life on the road through the eyes of a truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
. Instead of giving praise to the hard work of the truck driver (as most truck-driving songs had), the truck — whose story is told in first-person narrative
First-person narrative
First-person point of view is a narrative mode where a story is narrated by one character at a time, speaking for and about themselves. First-person narrative may be singular, plural or multiple as well as being an authoritative, reliable or deceptive "voice" and represents point of view in the...
— takes a cynical look at the profession. For instance, he (the truck) paints the man who drives him as an arrogant braggart, citing as an example the truck driver's story to others of how he topped a long, steep hill with ease but, as the truck points out, conveniently forgets other situations such as missing a gear and causing the truck's engine to stall or nearly driving off the road when he misses a curve. In the former instance, a "Volkswagen bus full of hippies passed us like I was sitting up on jacks"; in the latter case, if it hadn't been for the truck's efforts to stay on the road, "we'd both wound up in the ditch."
After bemoaning his thankless situation of never getting credit for the truck driver's job well done, he continues to muse about his life: The trucker flirts with waitresses but never tip
Tip
A tip is an extra payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction. Such payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry...
s them; he winds up parked next to a smelly cattle truck (instead of a pink Mack
Mack Trucks
Mack Trucks is an American truck-manufacturing company and a former manufacturer of buses and trolley buses. A wholly owned subsidiary of Renault Véhicules Industriels since 1990, Mack Trucks is currently a subsidiary of AB Volvo. The company's headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina...
with "pretty mudflaps" and chromed stacks); the trucker beats on the tires with an iron (the truck wishes aloud he'd have "a flat on the inside dual" to teach the driver a lesson); and the trucker will probably "take out that tape cartridge of Buck Owens
Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
and play him again (instead of the artist that the truck apparently really enjoys, Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
).
Chart performance
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 4 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 4 |