The Super Stocks first showed up on the Capitol Records car song compilation album Shut Down (not to be confused with the Beach Boys' Shut Down, Vol. Two, which was done in its wake), on which they had four songs. They also contributed six songs to the album Hot Rod Rally, but the group's main claim to fame lies in the three LPs of their own that they released in 1964: Thunder Road, Surf Route 101, and School Is a Drag. Following those odd early sides, Usher assembled a core of regular players, including Glen Campbell, Richie Podolor, and Paul Johnson on guitars; Hal Blaine on drums; and Steve Douglas on sax. He handled some of the early vocals himself, with Chuck Girard, Ritchie Burns, and Joe Kelly also singing; and Girard eventually took over most of the vocal chores.
The Super Stocks were a good match for the early Beach Boys in the field of surf music or car songs Γ?? which isn't surprising, as they utilized several session musicians who subsequently moved in and out of the Beach Boys' orbit (as well as those of the similar-sounding Hondells, Revells, Surfaris, et al.) during the mid-'60s, as well as Usher and Christian as songwriters Γ?? but never for anything beyond that. The personalized touch that Brian Wilson and company began bringing to their work, however, both in music and lyrics, as they matured in 1964 and 1965, was totally lacking in the Super Stocks' work. On the other hand, blasphemous though it may sound, some enthusiasts for the Beach Boys' early sound regarded that maturation with disdain (more than one fan echoed Pete Townshend's criticism of Pet Sounds at the time as too soft, romantic, and sentimental), and surf and car song buffs understandably love the three Super Stocks albums. The group might well have continued, had Usher not become much more interested in releasing records by the Hondells (utilizing most of the same musicians, who enjoyed a Top Ten hit with "Little Honda"), the Revells, and other outfits that he'd created; before joining Columbia Records as a staff producer in 1965. Most of the Super Stocks' alumni were already busy and established musicians( Glen Campbell became a superstar, Hal Blaine a legend, and Richard Podolor one of the most successful producers of the 1970s ) but among the relative neophytes, Chuck Girard became the best known to the fans, by virtue of his lead vocals.
Wide Track
The Super Stocks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a 421 in front and lots of torque in back,
When it talks to the power shift I really got's some action,
For I've never been beaten in my new wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
She never breaks loose with posi-traction,
My dual carbs and filters they don't need more gas,
There's nothing in the road that I can't pass,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
I got the reputation the fastest shift in town,
Everyone tries but I always shut'em down
Red hot and cool with a big chrome tach,
And I've never been beaten in my new wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
Wide track my big wide track,
The Super Stocks' song "Wide Track" captures the essence of automotive power and speed. The song speaks of a car with a 421 engine in the front and lots of torque in the back. With a big chrome tach, red hot flair, and the ability to shift power thanks to the car's wide track, the narrative is extremely visual and imaginative.
This song is a celebration of automotive power and control, as demonstrated by the car's "big hot clutch" and "posi-traction." The car is equipped with dual carbs and filters that do not require more gas, allowing it to pass any obstacle in the road. The lyrics end by emphasizing the singer's reputation for having the "fastest shift in town," shutting down all challengers who attempt to beat him.
Overall, "Wide Track" is an energetic piece of music that visualizes the power and control of a car. The lyrics are simple yet rich, and the narrative paints an exciting portrayal of what it means to drive a powerful car with precision and skill.
Line by Line Meaning
Red hot and cool with a big chrome tach,
My car is both stylish and powerful, featuring a large chrome tachometer to measure my engine's RPMs.
Got a 421 in front and lots of torque in back,
My car has a 421 cubic inch V8 engine in the front, with plenty of power in the back wheels to produce strong acceleration.
When it talks to the power shift I really got's some action,
When the engine's power is communicated to the rear wheels via a power shift, I experience thrilling acceleration.
For I've never been beaten in my new wide track,
I have yet to lose a race in my new wide track car, which is a testament to its superior performance.
Big hot clutch she's ready for some action,
My car's clutch is large and strong, which makes it well-suited for high performance driving.
She never breaks loose with posi-traction,
Thanks to my car's posi-traction differential, the rear wheels are less likely to spin or slip during acceleration or cornering.
My dual carbs and filters they don't need more gas,
My car's dual carburetors and filters are highly efficient, which means my car doesn't need to consume more gas than necessary.
There's nothing in the road that I can't pass,
My car is so fast and powerful that there isn't any obstacle or vehicle on the road that I can't easily overtake or outrun.
I got the reputation the fastest shift in town,
My car is well-known throughout the town for having the fastest and most accurate transmission shifting.
Everyone tries but I always shut'em down
Despite frequent attempts by other drivers to beat me, I always win and shut them down due to my car's superior performance.
And I've never been beaten in my new wide track,
I still have yet to lose a race in my new wide track car, which is a testament to its unbeatable performance.
Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.