One of the most popular black singers of the 60s, Wilson Pickett helped introduce the aggressive, rhythmic style of black music to a wide audience and has influenced almost countless rnb artists over the years. It all got started in Prattville, Alabama, where he was raised. Pickett moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of sixteen, and he made his professional debut spending several years singing with the gospel group The Violinaires in the late 50s. From 1961 to 1963, he was in The Falcons, writing and singing their 1962 hit "I Found A Love".
Pickett then went solo and signed with Lloyd Price's Double L Records, where he wrote and recorded "If You Love Me" and "It's Too Late." In 1964, Pickett signed with Atlantic Records and did his early recordings in the Stax studio in Memphis, Tennessee with Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper of The MGs. Cropper co-authored three of his early hits, "In the Midnight Hour" and "Don't Fight It from his debut album The Exciting Wilson Pickett that established him as a major soul star. The album also included "Ninety-Nine and a Half (Won't Do)," "She's So Good to Me," and "Land of a 1,000 Dances," all recorded at Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals.
Pickett then had hits with "Mustang Sally," "I Found a Love," and "Funky Broadway," all recorded in Muscle Shoals. Pickett then teamed with Bobby Womack in 1968 for Midnight Mover that yielded a Top 10 R7B and pop hit with Womack's title song. In 1969, Pickett had a major hit with The Beatles "Hey Jude,", followed in 1970 by "Sugar, Sugar." Later in 1970, Pickett worked with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The result was two crossover hits "Engine Number Nine," and "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You."
After crossover hits "Don't Knock My Love - Part 1" and "Fire and Water" Pickett left Atlantic for RCA, with minimum success. Pickett later recorded for several record companies, including his own Wicked label, but failed to have anymore hits.
Wilson Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.In 1999 he performed with his friend Bruce Springsteen.In 2002 he performed in the movie Only The Strong Survive.Singing his classic hits like In the Midnight hour and Land Of 1000 Dances.In 2004 Pickett retired from performing do to Health problems.Pickett told his sister he was going to the field of God but he never recovered.
On January 19,2006 Pickett died of a heart attack at his home. At his funeral long time friend Richard Pennimen (Little Richard) did a eulogy for Mr Pickett with his brothers at his funeral.
Pickett's Personal life was troubled. In 1993 he struck a pedestrian Pepe Ruiz. Later that year Ruiz died. Soul Singer Don Covay called him "Young and Wild". Pickett was arrested many times in his life.
Mustang Sally
Wilson Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess you better slow your mustang down, oh Lord
What I said now
Mustang Sally now baby, oh Lord
Guess you better slow your mustang down, huh, oh yeah
You been running all over town now
Oh, guess I have to put your flat feet on the ground, huh
What I said now
Listen
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Huh
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Huh
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Ha
All you want to do is ride around Sally, oh Lord (ride, Sally, ride)
Well isn't it
One of these early mornings, hey
Woah, gonna be wiping your weeping eyes, huh
What I said now, lookit here
I bought you a brand new mustang
A nineteen sixty five, huh
Now you come around signifying a woman
You don't want to let me ride
Mustang Sally now baby, oh lord
Guess you better slow that mustang down, huh, oh Lord
Lookit
You been running all over town
Oh, I got to put your flat feet on the ground, huh
What I say now
Let me say it one more time, y'all
Now, all you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Huh
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Oh Lord
Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally" is a classic blues song that warns a reckless lover about the consequences of her actions. The song is a warning to a woman named Sally, who has been using her Mustang to race around town and run wild. The lyrics advise Sally that she needs to "slow her Mustang down" and warns her that she'll need to "put her flat feet on the ground" soon enough. The song describes the singer's disappointment with Sally's behavior and warns that she will ultimately regret her actions.
The song's lyrics are straightforward, but the energy and emotion conveyed through Wilson Pickett's voice make it a timeless hit. The call and response structure between Pickett and the backing vocals create a sense of urgency, and the use of repetition, particularly with the line "ride, Sally, ride" emphasizes the warning. The song's catchy chorus, memorable melody, and Pickett's powerful performance make it an enduring classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Mustang Sally, huh, ha
Addressing the person named Mustang Sally, with a hint of amusement and disbelief
Guess you better slow your mustang down, oh Lord
Advising Mustang Sally to slow down her car
What I said now
Reiterating the previous statement
Mustang Sally now baby, oh Lord
Calling Mustang Sally again, with a combination of affection and annoyance
You been running all over town now
Observing Mustang Sally's reckless behavior
Oh, guess I have to put your flat feet on the ground, huh
Threatening to punish Mustang Sally for her behavior
Listen
Directing attention to what is about to be said
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Huh
Accusing Mustang Sally of only wanting to drive around
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Huh
Repeating the accusation
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Ha
Mocking Mustang Sally's behavior
All you want to do is ride around Sally, oh Lord (ride, Sally, ride)
Reaffirming the accusation with a hint of exasperation
Well isn't it
Reiterating the previous point with a tone of disbelief
One of these early mornings, hey
Predicting a future event
Woah, gonna be wiping your weeping eyes, huh What I said now, lookit here
Suggesting that Mustang Sally will regret her behavior and will have to face the consequences
I bought you a brand new mustang A nineteen sixty five, huh
Reminding Mustang Sally of a gift given in the past
Now you come around signifying a woman You don't want to let me ride
Accusing Mustang Sally of disloyalty
Mustang Sally now baby, oh lord Guess you better slow that mustang down, huh, oh Lord
Addressing Mustang Sally again, while warning her to slow down her car
Lookit You been running all over town Oh, I got to put your flat feet on the ground, huh What I say now
Reiterating the warning, while using a threatening tone
Let me say it one more time, y'all
Emphasizing the previous statements, to make sure they are understood
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Huh
Repeating the accusation for the last time
All you want to do is ride around Sally (ride, Sally, ride) Oh Lord
Affirming the accusation with a note of resignation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mack Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daleclontz5421
1st Mustang I owned was a '65 notchback.
Traded it for a '69 notchback.
Then some years later, I bought a '92 Mustang hatchback.
I have not been without a Mustang since.
Currently I have a 2005 Mustang GT.
@UniqueJoy777
My grandma loved this song. She always bragged about her mustang in the 60’s and how hot she was in her day. She passed away today. I see her riding in her mustang thru heaven with Jesus now. ❤
@billyangus
And she's riding with the late great "Wicked" Wilson Pickett
along the glorious Highway To Heaven.🌈🌈✝✝
@UniqueJoy777
@@billyangus Amen! Thank you 🙏🏾
@cherylkringelbach8800
Shes in the choir now, living it up.
@Ernie_B
So sorry to hear that. God Bless her soul. 🙁
@UniqueJoy777
@@cherylkringelbach8800 Amen luv 🙏🏽 thank you ❤️
@amysugarbelly641
My dad was a Mustang man and loved this song .. He passed away a few days ago. This song will play at his funeral.. 🌹
@janeweisner8364
My nephew is a Mustang guy. He’s got a 1989 beauty. Auntie Jane wants one, too.
@dickydoobie2247
Your dad had great taste in music...he's smiling and happy now.
@Tangogold1968
Amy I'm sorry for your loss. Now you can be Mustang Sally lol 😉