Rapid Boy
Croce Jim Lyrics
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He too much too believe
You know he always got an extra pack of cigarettes
Rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve
He got a tattoo on his arm that say baby
He got another one that just say hey
But every Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon
In a '57 Chevrolet
Oh rapid Roy that stock car boy
He's the best driver in the land
He say that he learned to race a stock car
By runnin' shine outta Alabam'
Oh the demolition derby
And the figure eight
Is easy money in the bank
Compared to runnin' from the man
In Oklahoma City
With a five hundred gallon tank
Oh rapid Roy that stock car boy
He too much too believe
You know he always got an extra pack of cigarettes
Rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve
He got a tattoo on his arm that say baby
He got another one that just say hey
And Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon
In a '57 Chevrolet
Yeah Roy so cool
That racin' fool he don't know what fear's about
He do a hundred thirty mile an hour
Smilin' at the camera
With a toothpick in his mouth
He got a girl back home
Name of Dixie Dawn
But he got honeys all along the way
And you oughta hear 'em screamin'
For that dirt track demon
In a '57 Chevrolet
Oh rapid Roy that stock car boy
He too much too believe
You know he always got an extra pack of cigarettes
Rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve
He got a tattoo on his arm that say baby
He got another one that just say hey
But every Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon
In a '57 Chevrolet
The song "Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy)" is a tribute to stock car racing in the American South during the 1960s. The main character, Rapid Roy, is a legendary stock car driver who is admired for his skill on the racetrack and his cool demeanor off of it. He is a rebel, with tattoos on his arms and an extra pack of cigarettes rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve, but he is also a hero, racing his '57 Chevrolet every Sunday afternoon and winning every race he enters.
The song paints a vivid picture of the world of stock car racing, from the demolition derby to the figure eight to the dangerous practice of "runnin' shine," or transporting moonshine in order to avoid the police. Rapid Roy is the epitome of this world, a man who lives and breathes stock car racing and who is beloved by all who watch him.
Overall, "Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy)" is a celebration of the unique culture and history of stock car racing in the American South. Through its catchy lyrics and infectious melody, it captures the spirit of a bygone era and reminds us of the courage and tenacity of the men and women who made stock car racing what it is today.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh rapid Roy that stock car boy
Introducing the titular character of the song, Rapid Roy, who is a stock car driver
He too much too believe
Rapid Roy is so amazing that it's hard to believe how skilled he is
You know he always got an extra pack of cigarettes
A detail about Rapid Roy - he always carries extra cigarettes with him
Rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve
He keeps his cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve of his t-shirt
He got a tattoo on his arm that say baby
Rapid Roy has a tattoo on his arm that says 'baby'
He got another one that just say hey
In addition to the 'baby' tattoo, he has another one that says 'hey'
But every Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon
On Sundays, Rapid Roy is an incredible driver on dirt tracks
In a '57 Chevrolet
He drives a '57 Chevrolet during his dirt track races
He's the best driver in the land
According to the song, Rapid Roy is the best driver in the entire country
He say that he learned to race a stock car by runnin' shine outta Alabam'
Rapid Roy claims that he learned how to race stock cars by illegally transporting moonshine in Alabama
Oh the demolition derby and the figure eight is easy money in the bank
Compared to running from the law with a large tank of illegal goods in Oklahoma City, demolition derbies and figure-eight races are easy ways for Rapid Roy to make money
And Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon, in a '57 Chevrolet
Repeating a previous verse to emphasize how good Rapid Roy is at driving on dirt tracks in a '57 Chevy
Yeah Roy so cool, that racin' fool he don't know what fear's about
Rapid Roy is so confident in his abilities that he has no fear when driving at high speeds
He do a hundred thirty mile an hour, smilin' at the camera, with a toothpick in his mouth
Rapid Roy drives at 130 miles per hour while posing for the camera and chewing a toothpick
He got a girl back home, name of Dixie Dawn
Rapid Roy has a girlfriend named Dixie Dawn who is waiting for him at home
But he got honeys all along the way, and you oughta hear 'em screamin' for that dirt track demon in a '57 Chevrolet
Despite having a girlfriend, Rapid Roy attracts the attention of other women, and they can be heard screaming for him during his races
Oh rapid Roy that stock car boy, he too much too believe
Repeating the opening lines to close out the song
You know he always got an extra pack of cigarettes, rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve
Repeating a detail about Rapid Roy's smoking habits
He got a tattoo on his arm that say baby, he got another one that just say hey
Repeating the information about Rapid Roy's tattoos
But every Sunday afternoon he is a dirt track demon, in a '57 Chevrolet
Repeating the final line to close out the song
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES CROCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jtroopa
I love the lyrical cadence of this song. Really makes it catchy and memorable.
Debbie Henning
I was in Oklahoma City tonight and had the pleasure of singing this to a race car driver who had never heard it. Croce's songs sure stand the test of time.
VinnyMartello
+Debbie Henning That's awesome.
Psycho Path
That unstoppable guitar solo that you don't ever want it to finish...
Brenda Van Wie
That's my husband Ed Van Wie in the #111 car with the checkered flag in Florida with Collier Transmission sponsor in 1979! Thanks for finding it online and including it!
BeckyBoo
Small world! That's very cool đ
bill bill
did he ever race up in Indiana at the speedrome that name sounds familiar
Esper Nova
Pardon me but your husband's name is hilarious
Oliver Olinger
My favorite Croce tune! I could listen to it on repeat all day.
Dean Vaughan
In my life my heroes have been different renditions of rapid Roy,they were wild guys who always had time for the kids after the races