Cadillac Ranch (Bruce Springsteen song)
Encyclopedia
"Cadillac Ranch" is a song written by Bruce Springsteen
that was first released on Springsteen's 1980 album The River. In 1981 it was released as single in Europe, backed by "Be True
" in France and by "Wreck on the Highway
" in the UK. Although it was not released as a single in the US, it did reach #48 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. A favorite in concert, a live version was included on Live/1975–85. A version was also included on the documentary film Blood Brothers.
, it "made dinosaurs dance." It is highlighted by Clarence Clemons
' saxophone
solo. Author June Skinner Sawyers called the song "pure rowdy fun" and listed it as one of Springsteen's ten funniest songs. John Cruz of Sputnik Music called the song "just plain fun," noting its infectious beat. However, the theme of the song is "the transitoriness of all existence" and the inevitability of death. Marsh called the song "one of the smartest songs ever about the inevitability of death. Marsh further noted that although the protagonist of "Cadillac Ranch" seems similar to the protagonists of earlier Springsteen records, in this song he appears naive and vulnerable rather than bold and innocent.
The song's title comes from Cadillac Ranch
in Amarillo, Texas
. Cadillac Ranch is a sculpture showing ten Cadillac
automobiles with their hoods buried in the ground. Springsteen used Cadillac Ranch as a metaphor
for his theme; that these once elite cars are now expendable.
Among the real life people namechecked in the song are Burt Reynolds
, Junior Johnson
and the deceased James Dean
. However, in concert Springsteen can be flexible with the names used. For example, in 1985 concerts in Australia, Reynolds was replaced by the fictional Mad Max
.
, Rick Trevino
and Status Quo. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band covered the song on their 1984 album Plain Dirt Fashion
as well as the 1991 live album Live Two Five
. Status Quo's version was an outtake from album Back to Back
, and initially released on the 1999 album Back to the Beginning. Rick Trevino's version appears on the compilation albums NASCAR: Runnin' Wide Open and Highway Fever: All Time Greatest Country Road Songs.
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
that was first released on Springsteen's 1980 album The River. In 1981 it was released as single in Europe, backed by "Be True
Be True
"Be True" is a song by Bruce Springsteen. It was recorded on July 21, 1979 at The Power Station in New York in one the early recording sessions for Bruce Springsteen's album The River...
" in France and by "Wreck on the Highway
Wreck on the Highway
"Wreck on the Highway" is a song written and performed by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. It was originally released as the final track on his fifth album, The River...
" in the UK. Although it was not released as a single in the US, it did reach #48 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. A favorite in concert, a live version was included on Live/1975–85. A version was also included on the documentary film Blood Brothers.
Music and lyrics
"Cadillac Ranch" is an exuberant, playful rocker with rockabilly influences. According to music critic Dave MarshDave Marsh
Dave Marsh is an American music critic, author, editor and radio talk show host. He was a formative editor of Creem magazine, has written for various publications such as Newsday, The Village Voice, and Rolling Stone, and has published numerous books about music and musicians, mostly focused on...
, it "made dinosaurs dance." It is highlighted by Clarence Clemons
Clarence Clemons
Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr. , also known as The Big Man, was an American musician and actor. From 1972 until his death, he was a prominent member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, playing the tenor saxophone. He released several solo albums and in 1985, had a hit single with "You're a...
' saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
solo. Author June Skinner Sawyers called the song "pure rowdy fun" and listed it as one of Springsteen's ten funniest songs. John Cruz of Sputnik Music called the song "just plain fun," noting its infectious beat. However, the theme of the song is "the transitoriness of all existence" and the inevitability of death. Marsh called the song "one of the smartest songs ever about the inevitability of death. Marsh further noted that although the protagonist of "Cadillac Ranch" seems similar to the protagonists of earlier Springsteen records, in this song he appears naive and vulnerable rather than bold and innocent.
The song's title comes from Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation and sculpture in Amarillo, Texas, U.S. It was created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels, who were a part of the art group Ant Farm, and it consists of what were either older running used or junk Cadillac automobiles, representing a...
in Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
. Cadillac Ranch is a sculpture showing ten Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
automobiles with their hoods buried in the ground. Springsteen used Cadillac Ranch as a metaphor
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary figure of speech that uses an image, story or tangible thing to represent a less tangible thing or some intangible quality or idea; e.g., "Her eyes were glistening jewels." Metaphor may also be used for any rhetorical figures of speech that achieve their effects via...
for his theme; that these once elite cars are now expendable.
Among the real life people namechecked in the song are Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds
Burton Leon "Burt" Reynolds, Jr. is an American actor. Some of his memorable roles include Bo 'Bandit' Darville in Smokey and the Bandit, Lewis Medlock in Deliverance, Bobby "Gator" McCluskey in White Lightning and sequel Gator, Paul Crewe and Coach Nate Scarborough in The Longest Yard and its...
, Junior Johnson
Junior Johnson
Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr. , better known as Junior Johnson, is a retired moonshiner in the rural South who became one of the early superstars of NASCAR in the 1950s and 1960s. He won 50 NASCAR races in his career before retiring in 1966...
and the deceased James Dean
James Dean
James Byron Dean was an American film actor. He is a cultural icon, best embodied in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause , in which he starred as troubled Los Angeles teenager Jim Stark...
. However, in concert Springsteen can be flexible with the names used. For example, in 1985 concerts in Australia, Reynolds was replaced by the fictional Mad Max
Max Rockatansky
"Mad" Max Rockatansky, sometimes referred to as The Road Warrior and The Man with No Name, is the main character from director George Miller's Mad Max franchise, appearing in the films Mad Max, Mad Max 2, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome...
.
Cover versions
"Cadillac Ranch" has been covered by Nitty Gritty Dirt BandNitty Gritty Dirt Band
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band performed and recorded...
, Rick Trevino
Rick Trevino
Ricardo Treviño, Jr. , known professionally as Rick Trevino, is a Mexican American country music artist. Signed to Columbia Records in 1993, Trevino began his career that year with the release of his debut single, "Just Enough Rope", the first mainstream country music single to feature separate...
and Status Quo. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band covered the song on their 1984 album Plain Dirt Fashion
Plain Dirt Fashion
Plain Dirt Fashion is an album by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band which was released in 1984 by the record label Warner Bros. Records. This album went to #8 on the US Country charts. The three singles from this album all charted in the top 3. "Long Hard Road " went to 1, "I Love Only You" went to 3,...
as well as the 1991 live album Live Two Five
Live Two Five
Live Two Five is a 1991 live album from The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Most of the songs on this collection are live versions of songs that charted.-Track listing:#"High Horse" - 2:53...
. Status Quo's version was an outtake from album Back to Back
Back to Back
-Music:*Back to Back , 1983 album*Back to Back , 1967*Back to Back, a 1976 album by Brecker Brothers*Back to Back, a 1996 album by Lee Greenwood...
, and initially released on the 1999 album Back to the Beginning. Rick Trevino's version appears on the compilation albums NASCAR: Runnin' Wide Open and Highway Fever: All Time Greatest Country Road Songs.