Drug Store Truck Driving Man
Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris Lyrics


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He's a drug store truck drivin' man
He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
When summer rolls around
He'll be lucky if he's not in town

Well, he's got him a house on the hill
He plays country records till you've had your fill
He's a fireman's friend he's an all night DJ
But he sure does think different from the records he plays

He's a drug store truck drivin' man
He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
When summer rolls around
He'll be lucky if he's not in town

Well, he don't like the young folks I know
He told me one night on his radio show
He's got him a medal he won in the War
It weighs five-hundred pounds and it sleeps on his floor

He's a drug store truck drivin' man
He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
When summer rolls around
He'll be lucky if he's not in town

He's been like a father to me
He's the only DJ you can hear after three
I'm an all night musician in a rock and roll band
And why he don't like me I can't understand

He's a drug store truck drivin' man
He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
When summer rolls around
He'll be lucky if he's not in town





He'll be lucky if he's not in town

This one's for you, Ralph

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" by Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels tell the story of a man who is a drug store truck driver during the day but at night, he's the head of the Ku Klux Klan. He has a house on the hill and plays country records all day and night on his radio show. He claims to be a fireman's friend but his views differ from the music he plays. The song goes on to describe how he dislikes the younger generation and proudly displays his war medal that weighs 500 pounds on his floor. The final verse talks about the singer and how he's part of a rock and roll band but the DJ doesn't like him, despite being the only one on in the early hours.


The song is widely considered to be a jab at Ralph Emery, a popular country DJ in the 1960s and 1970s. Emery was known for playing traditional country music but was also known to have conservative views, including being against the anti-Vietnam war movement and the civil rights movement. Emery was said to have supported segregation and had ties to the Ku Klux Klan, which explains the central theme of the lyrics. Parsons has sung about social inequality and injustice in his other songs, and "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" is no exception.


Line by Line Meaning

He's a drug store truck drivin' man
He's a man who drives a truck for a drug store


He's the head of the Ku Klux Klan
He's a leader of a notorious, hate-fueled organization known as the KKK


When summer rolls around
During summer season


He'll be lucky if he's not in town
He'll be fortunate if he's not around


Well, he's got him a house on the hill
He owns a house located on a hill


He plays country records till you've had your fill
He plays country music records incessantly


He's a fireman's friend he's an all night DJ
He's a friend of a fireman, and he works as a DJ all night long


But he sure does think different from the records he plays
He has different opinions and beliefs that don't match the messages conveyed by the music he plays


Well, he don't like the young folks I know
He doesn't have a favorable view of the younger generation that I'm associated with


He told me one night on his radio show
He expressed his dislike for young people during his radio program


He's got him a medal he won in the War
He won a medal during a war he participated in


It weighs five-hundred pounds and it sleeps on his floor
The medal weighs a whopping five hundred pounds and is kept on the floor of his house


He's been like a father to me
He has taken on a fatherly role in my life


He's the only DJ you can hear after three
He's the only DJ playing after three in the morning


I'm an all night musician in a rock and roll band
I'm a musician, playing all night long with my rock and roll band


And why he don't like me I can't understand
I don't comprehend why he has a dislike for me


He'll be lucky if he's not in town
He'll be fortunate if he's not around


This one's for you, Ralph
This song is dedicated to you, Ralph




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@LindaCafaro

Whenever I see Emmy with Gram you can see in her eyes that she adores him and vice versa. They were meant for each other❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@lynnefromthelake

One of my favorite recordings of all time. Gram has been so traditionally underrated forever and it's a complete shame. There will never be another Gram and Emmylou.

@chuckvanyo9327

Incredible. Love this

@heinvandewijgert3407

Here in the Netherlands/Europe, country is a niche. A few years ago, I discovered true country artists like Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. A perfect match. Really love it!

@nowayout8773

Townes Van Zandt is definitely a legend. Poncho and Lefty, If I needed you, Lungs.... I think Gram would have been bigger than the Stones. Mick copied the Bakersfield country sound. Kieth Richards was GP soul mate. Wild Horses quite possibly was written by GP. It was first performed by GP a year before the Stones recorded it.

@1AvW1

@@nowayout8773 Yep- and Van Zand(t) ... is a Dutch name too 😄 Townes must have had some far away forefather who came from the Nether Lands...

@clifftanner8266

Never make it on the top 40 pop crap country today. Thank the Lord we have YouTube. Thanks for posting

@sandyjohnson3030

I just recently started to listen to Gram! I am a major fan now! Listening to him makes me cry! I am signing the petition now!

@jojoheartspaypay

That's the spirit!

@sandyjohnson3030

@@m.cabbagetonto9316 Yes! I agree! I listen to Gram everyday now! I have bought all the CD's I can find. I live in NC and my friend just bought me a Joshua Tree Shirt from a store here. What a find!

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