Phantom 309 (Red Sovine song)
Encyclopedia
Phantom 309 is a song written by Tommy Faile
and released as a single by Red Sovine
in 1967.
The song tells of a hitchhiker (the singer, in first person) trying to return home from the West Coast
after being unable to make a living there. On the third day of his return, while at a crossroads in a driving rain, the hitchhiker is picked up by "Big Joe" driving his tractor-trailer named "Phantom 309". After driving through the night, Big Joe drops the hitchhiker off at a truck stop
, prior to making a turn "up the road." Big Joe gives him a dime for a cup of coffee, then disappears out of sight.
Once inside, the hitchhiker tells of Big Joe's generosity; the truck stop gets eerily quiet, then the waiter proceeds to tell him the rest of the story – the hitchhiker had been the beneficiary of a "ghost driver." Ten years earlier, at that same intersection where he was picked up, Big Joe nearly collided with a school bus full of children and swerved to avoid the wreck, but in doing so the truck skidded out of control costing Big Joe his own life. The waiter also tells the hiker that he wasn't the first; the ghost of Big Joe had been known to pick up other hitchhikers over the years.
with slightly different lyrics. This version was covered by Archers of Loaf
on 1995's Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits
.
, Del Reeves
, Ferlin Husky
, Boxcar Willie
, and Australian country singer Nev Nicholls.
Also recorded by retired Australian radio personality, John Laws, on his 1970's Motivatin' Man album.
, a storyline similar to that in the song takes place midway through the film. Pee-wee Herman
goes hitchhiking and is picked up by a female trucker named Large Marge. She scares him by telling a gruesome tale of an accident that occurred on that evening years ago on the stretch of highway they are driving upon, and he asks to be let off near a diner. She tells him upon leaving, "Be sure to tell 'em Large Marge sent ya!" When Pee-wee walks into the diner, he indeed announces that Large Marge sent him, and in the same manner as the song, the patrons grow quiet and the owner tells Pee-wee how the accident Marge described was that which claimed her life.
Tommy Faile
Tommy Faile was an American songwriter and singer best known for composing "Phantom 309" and singing "The Legend of the Brown Mountain Lights"...
and released as a single by Red Sovine
Red Sovine
Woodrow Wilson Sovine , better known as Red Sovine, was an American country music singer associated with truck driving songs, particularly those recited as narratives but set to music...
in 1967.
The song tells of a hitchhiker (the singer, in first person) trying to return home from the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
after being unable to make a living there. On the third day of his return, while at a crossroads in a driving rain, the hitchhiker is picked up by "Big Joe" driving his tractor-trailer named "Phantom 309". After driving through the night, Big Joe drops the hitchhiker off at a truck stop
Truck stop
A truck stop is a commercial facility predicated on providing fuel, parking, and often food and other services to motorists and truck drivers...
, prior to making a turn "up the road." Big Joe gives him a dime for a cup of coffee, then disappears out of sight.
Once inside, the hitchhiker tells of Big Joe's generosity; the truck stop gets eerily quiet, then the waiter proceeds to tell him the rest of the story – the hitchhiker had been the beneficiary of a "ghost driver." Ten years earlier, at that same intersection where he was picked up, Big Joe nearly collided with a school bus full of children and swerved to avoid the wreck, but in doing so the truck skidded out of control costing Big Joe his own life. The waiter also tells the hiker that he wasn't the first; the ghost of Big Joe had been known to pick up other hitchhikers over the years.
Tom Waits version
The song was later recorded by Tom WaitsTom Waits
Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
with slightly different lyrics. This version was covered by Archers of Loaf
Archers of Loaf
Archers of Loaf is an American indie-rock band originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, formed in 1990. The group toured extensively and released a total of four studio albums, a collection album, numerous singles and EPs, and a live album which was released after the band broke up in...
on 1995's Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits
Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits
Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits is the title of a tribute album to Tom Waits, released in 1995 by Manifesto Records. The songs are performed by various artists.-Track listing:All songs written by Tom Waits.#"Old Shoes" – [06:29] Drugstore...
.
Other Covers
Other artists who have recorded "Phantom 309" include Dave DudleyDave Dudley
Dave Dudley , born David Darwin Pedruska, was an American country music singer best-known for his truck-driving country anthems of the 1960s and 1970s and his semi-slurred baritone. His signature song was "Six Days on the Road," and he is also remembered for "Vietnam Blues," "Truck Drivin'...
, Del Reeves
Del Reeves
Franklin Delano Reeves , better known as Del Reeves, was an American country music singer, best known for his "girl-watching" novelty songs of the 1960s including "Girl on the Billboard" and "The Belles of Southern Bell"...
, Ferlin Husky
Ferlin Husky
Ferlin Eugene Husky was an early American country music singer who was equally adept at the genres of traditional honky honk, ballads, spoken recitations, and rockabilly pop tunes...
, Boxcar Willie
Boxcar Willie
Boxcar Willie, born as Lecil Travis Martin was an American country music singer, who sang in the "old-time hobo" music style, complete with dirty face, overalls, and a floppy hat...
, and Australian country singer Nev Nicholls.
Also recorded by retired Australian radio personality, John Laws, on his 1970's Motivatin' Man album.
Pop culture references
In the movie Pee-wee's Big AdventurePee-wee's Big Adventure
Pee-wee's Big Adventure is a 1985 American adventure comedy film directed by Tim Burton in his full-length debut and starring Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman. Reubens also co-wrote the script with Phil Hartman and Michael Varhol. Supporting roles are played by Elizabeth Daily, Mark Holton, Diane...
, a storyline similar to that in the song takes place midway through the film. Pee-wee Herman
Pee-wee Herman
Pee-wee Herman is a comic fictional character created and portrayed by American comedian Paul Reubens. He is best known for his two television series and film series during the 1980s. The childlike Pee-wee Herman character developed as a stage act that quickly led to an HBO special in 1981...
goes hitchhiking and is picked up by a female trucker named Large Marge. She scares him by telling a gruesome tale of an accident that occurred on that evening years ago on the stretch of highway they are driving upon, and he asks to be let off near a diner. She tells him upon leaving, "Be sure to tell 'em Large Marge sent ya!" When Pee-wee walks into the diner, he indeed announces that Large Marge sent him, and in the same manner as the song, the patrons grow quiet and the owner tells Pee-wee how the accident Marge described was that which claimed her life.