Trans Am (Highway Wonderland)

Album: Street Machine (1979)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Cars often serve as metaphors in rock songs (especially if they're by Led Zeppelin), but this one is literal: it's about Sammy Hagar's beloved 1979 red Pontiac Trans Am. Hagar had a love affair with Trans Ams, which he found superior to other muscle cars. "Catch me if you can" he taunts other drivers.
  • Hagar's Trans Am had a license plate that read "IEATZ28," a dig on the Camaro Z28. He mentions the plate in the lyric:

    Set's 10 inches off the ground with a custom plate
    That says IEATZ28
  • In later years, Hagar moved on to more exotic cars, buying a Lotus, and Astin Martin, and multiple Ferraris. But his Trans Am is the only one that made it into the title of one of his songs.
  • To promote this song, the San Francisco radio station KMEL ("The Camel") staged a contest where the winner got a Trans Am like Sammy's.
  • Songs about cars and driving fast are a big part of Sammy Hagar's discography. His most famous song is "I Can't Drive 55" from 1984. By that time, he had a Ferrari that he drove in the video.
  • "Trans Am (Highway Wonderland)" is part of Sammy Hagar's fourth album, Street Machine, released in 1979. It wasn't released as a single, but he played the song at many of his live shows until 1985 when he joined Van Halen.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."