Truckin’ Top Ten: Hero (#3)

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Way back when — about two weeks ago, to be precise — @LoriAMoore posted a few songs with truck driving themes in honor of our former truck driving myLotter @UncleJoe . I thought I’d jump on board and post some of my favorite truck driving songs. Here’s the next one on the list. #3: Hero - Dale Watson (I know, @JohnRoberts , long time no use....) Truck driving songs have been a staple of country music for decades. “Truck Drivin’ Man” by Terry Fell was originally recorded in 1954 and has been covered a blue billion times since (and you can track the evolution of the price of playing the song on the jukebox increasing from a nickel to a dollar). Back before satellite radio there were all-night trucker shows on AM radio stations, and they played country music exclusively. Dale Watson is steeped in the traditions of country music, so it’s no surprise that he would record an album of original songs he’s written about life as a truck driver. Three albums, to be exact (available as the Truckin’ Sessions Trilogy). The songs range from humorous (“Exit 109,” about, ahem, “lot lizards”) to the serious looks at the effects of long-distance driving on relationships (“Truckin’ Time”). This song is definitely in the “serious” category. It takes a look at traffic from the point of view of the man in the cab. Instead of cussing out the four-wheeler who cuts him off, the driver selflessly drives cautiously, and even dangerously (“they throw on their brakes and I hold on real tight”) to make sure there’s no wreck. The driver knows that the one-ton car usually will lose in an argument with a vehicle that’s “sixteen tons on an average day.” This is a great ballad about the dangers of life on the road. I’ve never seen Dale do this live, but you can bet I’m gonna call for it some time this year!! Hero Written by Dale Watson Recorded by Dale Watson From Truckin’ Sessions Volume 2, 2009 I try to keep a safe distance between their wheels and mine: