Chevy Van
Encyclopedia
"Chevy Van" is a 1973 song written and sung by Sammy Johns
. The song was a hit single in the United States and Canada in 1975, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart, and becoming a million seller.
It details how an unnamed male driver picks up an unnamed female, who then proceeds to eventually seduce
him into a one-night stand
in the back of his Chevrolet Van
. At the end he drops her off "in a town that was so small, you could throw a rock from end to end. A dirt road mainstreet, she walked off in bare feet", and laments "It's a shame I won't be passing through again." The song struck a chord with listeners in the sexually liberated early 1970s when Johns released it.
In more recent years, country artists Eric Church
, Waylon Jennings
and Sammy Kershaw
and rock band Fu Manchu
have each released covers of the song. The original 1973 version was also featured in the 1977 film The Van.
Sammy Johns
Sammy Johns is an American country singer-songwriter, best known for his million selling 1975 hit single, "Chevy Van".-Career:...
. The song was a hit single in the United States and Canada in 1975, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, and becoming a million seller.
It details how an unnamed male driver picks up an unnamed female, who then proceeds to eventually seduce
Seduction
In social science, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage. The word seduction stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". As a result, the term may have a positive or negative connotation...
him into a one-night stand
One-night stand
Originally, a one-night stand was a single theatre performance, usually by a guest performer on tour, as opposed to an ongoing engagement. Today, however, the term is more commonly defined as a single sexual encounter, in which neither participant has any intention or expectation of a relationship...
in the back of his Chevrolet Van
Chevrolet Van
The Chevrolet and GMC G-Series vans were made by General Motors for North America. They are in the same vehicle class as the Ford Econoline van and the Dodge Ram Van.The term "Chevrolet van" also refers to the entire series of vans sold by Chevrolet...
. At the end he drops her off "in a town that was so small, you could throw a rock from end to end. A dirt road mainstreet, she walked off in bare feet", and laments "It's a shame I won't be passing through again." The song struck a chord with listeners in the sexually liberated early 1970s when Johns released it.
In more recent years, country artists Eric Church
Eric Church
Kenneth Eric Church is an American country music singer and songwriter. Signed to Capitol Records in 2006, Church released his debut album Sinners Like Me that year...
, Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
and Sammy Kershaw
Sammy Kershaw
Samuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
and rock band Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu (band)
Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who released their debut single "Kept Between Trees" in 1990. They have been featured on compilations put together by Tony Hawk and ESPN's X Games, and invited to perform on the US television program Monster Garage...
have each released covers of the song. The original 1973 version was also featured in the 1977 film The Van.