While a first album (entitled Better Than the Rest) was recorded in 1974, the major recording debut came with the release of the eponymous album 'George Thorogood & The Destroyers', released in 1977 (Better Than the Rest was eventually released in 1979). The next album, entitled Move It On Over, was released in the autumn of 1978 and included the hit "Move It On Over" . Other singles from the album included "Please Set A Date" and "Who Do You Love".
During the 1980s, and 1990s, the band recorded some of their most well-known works, "Bad to the Bone" (used to great effect during the bar scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and in the opening scene of John Carpenter's Christine), "I Drink Alone" (from the 'Maverick' album), "You Talk Too Much", and "If You Don't Start Drinking, I'm Gonna Leave".
Thorogood himself is best-known for his animated stage presence and loud, raucous electric slide guitar playing. He is also known as "Lonesome George".
Also seen as or called George Thorogood and the Destroyers on Last.fm.
Official Website: George Thorogood And The Destroyers
Gear Jammer
George Thorogood & The Destroyers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rockin' and rollin' in overdrive
My heart's beating like a jackhammer,
It's the midnight ride for the gear jammer
Nine long days through twenty-three states,
I gotta see my baby soon you know I just can't wait
The police catch me I'll end up in the slammer,
Running my rig in a mighty high gear,
I don't care where I go just long as it ain't here
Something gets in my way you know I'm gonna ram it,
Nobody fools around with this gear jammer
Running my rig about ninety-five,
I'm a-rockin' and a-rollin' in overdrive
My heart's beating like a jackhammer,
Don't you get in the way of this gear jammer
The song "Gear Jammer" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers is an ode to the thrill and danger of high-speed truck driving. The lyrics describe the rush of driving a big rig, flying down the highway at a breakneck pace with the engine roaring in overdrive. The singer is on a mission to reach his lover, driving through many states and taking risks to get there as quickly as possible. He knows that if he's caught by the police, he may end up in jail, but he's willing to risk it all for the love of the open road and the power of his vehicle.
Beyond the surface interpretation of the song as a celebration of truck driving, there may be deeper meanings at work as well. The idea of the gear jammer as a rebel on the road, fighting against authority and the restrictions of everyday life, could be seen as a metaphor for other forms of resistance and rebellion. The pounding beat of the song and the driving guitar riffs convey a sense of energy and defiance that is infectious and thrilling to listen to.
Line by Line Meaning
Running my rig around ninety-five,
Driving my truck at a speed of ninety-five miles per hour
Rockin' and rollin' in overdrive
Driving in the highest gear possible to achieve maximum speed
My heart's beating like a jackhammer,
My heart is racing and pounding hard due to the excitement of driving at high speed
It's the midnight ride for the gear jammer
Driving at midnight, when there is less traffic and greater freedom to drive fast for a truck driver
Nine long days through twenty-three states,
Travelling through twenty-three states for a period of nine days
I gotta see my baby soon you know I just can't wait
The driver is eagerly waiting to see his loved one after a long journey
The police catch me I'll end up in the slammer,
The driver will be arrested and jailed if he's caught by the police for reckless driving
'Cause the law don't want no gear jammer
The law doesn't tolerate truck drivers who drive recklessly and cause danger to others
Running my rig in a mighty high gear,
Driving in the highest gear for maximum speed and power
I don't care where I go just long as it ain't here
The driver doesn't care about the destination as long as he's not stuck in one place
Something gets in my way you know I'm gonna ram it,
The driver will push over anything that comes in his way while driving, even if it's a risk to his life and others
Nobody fools around with this gear jammer
The driver is confident and dangerous, and nobody dares to mess with him
Don't you get in the way of this gear jammer
A warning to others not to come in the way of this truck driver, as he's an expert in driving and reckless to the extremities
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE THOROGOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mr.roaddogwade7107
Retired long haul gear jammer. 2 million accident free miles. 48 states. 🤠🚚🇺🇸 plugged this in a many a time. 👍 God bless Truckers.
@sirloinofbeef3862
30 years. Soda truck. Seen enough in the three counties I deliver. Lol.
@Dr.Madd138
Wish I could do it, my uncle said he’d take a semi breaker bar to my skull if I got my class A.
@michaelmichael6442
Badass!!
@sirloinofbeef3862
@@Dr.Madd138 why? A class A is a golden ticket now. If you can actually drive a truck. I've seen many that shouldn't be.
@Dr.Madd138
@@sirloinofbeef3862 he claims that since he hates it I will too. He doesn’t know me like I do tho good buddy. Come back
@ramonaludwig6390
My late husband was a long haul gear jammer for many years. The stories he told me….from lot lizards to hauling dynamite. My best to all the truckers. You guys and gals keep this nation rolling!
@prylosecorsomething3194
Why was your husband hanging around with the lot lizards?
@ramonaludwig6390
@@prylosecorsomething3194 He didn’t. They approached him. This was long before I met him.
@govetter
OTR! <grin>