The Mother Road (#1 Folk-Americana)

Story Behind The Song

I love Route 66.... and have traveled it many, many, many times since the mid 1960's.... It is the BEST road trip in the world, as it shows you so much variance of what America is all about.

Song Description

Top Ten - Folk Top Ten - Folk: Americana Top Ten - Folk: Rural #1 Folk #1 Folk-Americana

Song Length 5:20 Genre Folk - Americana, Folk - Americana
Tempo Medium (111 - 130) Lead Vocal Duet Male
Mood Peaceful, Serene Subject Change, Hitchhiking
Similar Artists James Taylor, Eric Clapton Language English
Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

"The Mother Road"
Lyrics and Music by Chet Nichols
Copyright by Chet Nichols (ASCAP)/Magic Garage Music (ASCAP)
chet@chetnichols.net * http://www.chetnicholsmusic.com
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


Verse 1
Stranded lives
Drift along the roadside
The skin of souls
Still praying for a ride
Distant lights
Beacons in the twilight
Draw the weary travelers
Seeking shelter from the night
Chorus
The Mother Road has a rhythm
The Mother Road has a feel
The Mother Road will guide you
When you slide behind the wheel
And if you close your eyes and listen
You will hear the desert sing
Of the Mother Road, of the Mother Road

Verse 2
Billboard signs
Weathered and abandon
Messages from yesteryears
Lay splintered and forgotten
But, if you peer beyond the peeling paint
And the faded ?For Sale? signs
And you?ll see a breathing highway
Spinning dreams between the lines
Chorus
The Mother Road has a vision
The Mother Road has a feel
The Mother Road will guide you
When you slide behind the wheel
And if you close your eyes and listen
You will hear the mountains sing
Of the Mother Road, of the Mother Road

Bridge
Yeah, if you look real hard you?ll see the scars carved along her back
Etchings from the harvest plows that have churned across the cracks
Touch the beating asphalt that is worn and overgrown
And tell me where you?d be right now ?? if she had never led you home
Chorus
The Mother Road has a rhythm
The Mother Road has a feel
The Mother Road will welcome you
If you slide behind the wheel
And if you close your eyes and listen
You will hear the heartland sing
Of the Mother Road, of the Mother Road, of the Mother Road

This song has a nice "feel" and its lyrical imagery evokes a reflection of peace, and harmony. Vocalist sounds sincere. Delivery is smooth and clear.

An excellent lyric that takes us on a trip behind the wheel ...This is very reminiscent
of something John Stewart might have penned...He was a big Route 66 guy and this lyric reminds me of him. I had never heard the term Mother Road...I guess I've been sheltered in my apartment too long...good work.

I thought the song had a nice feel. I really liked the blending of the acoustic guitars and the piano. I liked how you played them off of each other with almost their own individual melody. I thought the song flowed together well. All the parts blended and transitioned nicely. I also liked your choice of harmonies in the chorus. This was quite good.

Really enjoyed this tune. The harmonies are really tight and add a lot to the melody. Great recording of the vocals. I think the guitar recording could use some work, but the grainy quality behind it actually works pretty well. Great hook, quality lyrics.

Great haunting feel to this one. The story is compelling and is performed with just the right touch, great heart and soul.
The melody is wonderful and floats along as does the journey of the song. The instruments are played well & their tones add to the overall vibe of the song. Nicely done.

An interesting song with a message. The singing voice is pleasantly vulnerable which fits the song very well.

I really really like this song! The lyrics are so well-crafted, five stars! You nailed one here. The word pictures you present are real and visible as you sing...you are painting a musical picture that really works for this song. Verse 3 is amazing. It just got better and better as the song went on. Kudos for your internal rhyme glide/slide. I love that kind of word-crafting.

What a wonderful journey we might take should we slide behind the wheel and travel the 'Mother Road'. I did close my eyes and listen, more than once and travelled to so many places I had yet to know and can now say - I found the 'Mother Road'.

Great vocals. Nice harmonies. Good lyrics. I like it.

Great hook. Interesting imagery and well-crafted lyrics. Nice fit between lyrics and music. Nice lift in the chorus. Unusual and original theme. The rhythm of the song captures the feel of a long, tiring trip.

A very captivating song that is able to draw you into its world with its striking imagery and descriptions. This song leads the listener to a distinct, yet still ambiguous, emotional state without being heavy handed in it delivery of a message.

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!--i wouldn't change a thing!---thanxs!--joe

A startling start. Vivid lyrics. Atmospheric melody and arrangement.

Lyrics Chet Nichols Music Chet Nichols
Producer Chet Nichols Publisher Magic Garage Music (ASCAP) & Chet Nichols (ASCAP)
Performance Chet Nichols - All vocals 7 instruments Label Magic Garage Records

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