Motor City Steel

Album: Why You So Crazy (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In the years 2006-2014, Courtney Taylor-Taylor lived in a small Washington town. This song tells the true story of two young people that The Dandy Warhols lead singer knew back then.
  • This slice of country-fried Americana recounts a love story between typical small-town boy Travis and his more sophisticated girlfriend Ricky.

    Travis and Ricky, relationship is tricky
    But Ricky is a girl who wants to see the world
    But Travis is a boy, boys like a toy
    The Ram with a straight axle way off the board


    Taylor Taylor changed their names for the song.
  • Taylor Taylor said he found such a clash between teenage lovers to be a fairly common occurrence in the small Washington town. "The guys generally get online to check out fishing gear, truck parts, and compound bows," he explained. "Whereas more and more, the gals check out New York, Paris, Hollywood and the like."
  • There is a happy ending to the real-life story. "Rikki" returned home well over a year later, married "Travis" and now they're a family of four.
  • The song title refers to the nickname of Detroit, which is known as the motor car capital of the world. Both Ford and Chevrolet, who are referenced in the song, have their base of operations there.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Jimmy Jam

Jimmy JamSongwriter Interviews

The powerhouse producer behind Janet Jackson's hits talks about his Boyz II Men ballads and regrouping The Time.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.