For the love of rock
Vol V, Issue 2 – 2-4-6-8 Motorway (01 Feb 2020)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– 2-4-6-8 Motorway
Band –Tom Robinson Band
Writer– Tom Robinson
Release year– 1977
Peak chart positions
#1 – Swedish Chart
# 5 – UK Singles Chart
# 12 – Australian Singles Chart
2-4-6-8 Motorway
“Tom Robinson Band” may be a relatively unknown rock band for many rock fans, but they were one of the most important definitive English punk rock bands of the late seventies. Formed by singer, songwriter and bassist Tom Robinson in 1976, along with Danny Kustow (Guitars), Brian “Dolphin” Taylor (Drums) and Mark Ambler (Keyboards), they had relatively fewer number of albums and a short career span, but their significance and influence in the seventies punk rock and new wave can’t be undermined.
2-4-6-8 Motorway is their debut single released in 1977. The single is their most well known number and gave them all the fame and name they deserved. It was written and composed by Tom Robinson in memory of driving back to London from night gigs during their early formation days. The song was somehow inspired by Climax Blues Band’s song “Couldn’t get it right.” The main chorus was taken from Gay lib chant- 2, 4, 6, 8, Gay is twice as good as straight. It details the lorry driving through a rainy night till dawn.
The song has catchy tune and easy to play simple chord sequence. It starts with the remarkable guitar riff by Danny Kustow. Tom Robinson’s cool and rough vocals go well with the driving song. The main chorus of the song and the main guitar riffs are the highlights of the song. Mark Ambler’s keyboards and Brian “Dolphin” Taylor’s drums equally contribute to the beauty of the song. The solo by Danny after the second stanza is also noteworthy. Relatively a short song, it does leave a long impression upon the listener.
Although Tom Robinson Band had a very few hits, this remarkable debut hit single “2-4-6-8 Motorway” is definitely their masterpiece. Although there are many drive songs, this number undoubtedly gets the rocking driver drive along the entire driveway!!
Happy listening!!!
Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
2-4-6-8 Motorway
Drive my truck midway to the motorway station
Fairlane cruiser coming up on the left hand side
Headlight shining, driving rain on the window frame
Little young Lady Stardust hitching a ride… and it’s
2-4-6-8 ain’t never too late
Me and my radio truckin’ on thru the night
3-5-7-9 on a double white line
Motorway sun coming up with the morning light
Whizzkid sitting pretty on your two-wheel stallion
This ol’ ten-ton lorry got a bead on you
Ain’t no use setting up with a bad companion
Ain’t nobody get the better of you-know-who
2-4-6-8 ain’t never too late
Me and my radio truckin’ on thru the night
3-5-7-9 on a double white line
Motorway sun coming up with the morning light
Well there ain’t no route you could choose to lose the two of us
Ain’t nobody know when you’re acting right or wrong
No-one knows if a roadway’s leading nowhere
Gonna keep on driving home on the road I’m on…
2-4-6-8 ain’t never too late
Me and my radio truckin’ on thru the night
3-5-7-9 on a double white line
Motorway sun coming up with the morning light
2-4-6-8 ain’t never too late
Me and my radio truckin’ on thru the night
3-5-7-9 on a double white line
Motorway sun coming up with the morning light
Motorway sun coming up with the morning light
That same old motorway sun coming up with the morning light
Yeah, yeah, yeah
2-4-6-8 ain’t never too late
Me and my radio truckin’ on thru the night
3-5-7-9 on a double white line
Motorway sun coming up with the morning light
2-4-6-8 ain’t never too late
Me and my radio truckin’ on thru the night
3-5-7-9 on a double white line
Motorway sun coming up with the morning light
Lyrics link- https://genius.com/Tom-robinson-band-2-4-6-8-motorway-lyrics
Video link –https://youtu.be/Jc7oZSBC-vk