Jr Walker (I'm a) Road Runner

[kat197603]

I love a bit of sax on a tuesday lol

[Wolfsky9]

These are the words to be placed on my Gravestone!! Theme of my life, & at 65 y/o, I say them with no apology. And I love like I live!!! Wolfsky9

[motownfan5]

Someone help me ...whom was better the Maeco( James Brown's Sax player) or Jr.Walker ?? After 40 plus years I can't chose one over the other .

[bluesgird]

Couldn't find either of the two you mentioned on YouTube :( I was curious. You might want to check out Chris Rea's Road Runner. He's very good. Junior Walker number one and Chris Rea number two. Just my opinion, and I'm a Black woman :)

[justphil101]

ONLY two others to EQUAL this magnificent presentation. Two Dog Night Road Runner and  Promised land. Just my opinion.

[spegangles]

keep on keepin on!!

[bluesgird]

Everyone, you should keep abreast of the National Museum of African American History being built in Washington, D.C. Surely they will include our music that has influenced the whole wide musical world; and without a doubt, one of our music's creator--Junior Walker, will be in THIS Hall of Fame.

Sometimes I see comments that people are looking for certain songs. I have tons of 78 and 45s. Ske4an8@Verizon.net. I'd like to help out if I can.

Love myself some Tenor Sax. Walker you ROCK!!!!

[Bandtrip50]

Jr. Walker was a great and wonderful talent! He will never be forgotten!

[MimiZ914]

OMG one of the best! When music was made with real instruments and real people singing. Jr. Walker's the man.

[chazncharm]

1 of the BEST soul/funk songs of all time

[bmxmovies2k11]

TDU :D

[MrKenndawg]

...slidin' across tha floor; head just bobbin'...instant cool back in tha day! what a jam?!

[MrRomans829]

WE DANCED THE SKATE TO THIS UP IN BRONX RIVER PROJECTS

BACK IN 1966

[motownfan5]

@MrRomans829 I was also doing the skate to this song in Jersey "back in the day "...Great party song :) This is when music was music...party,party,party.....­..... Jr.was cookin back then !!

[MrRomans829]

@motownfan5 AND YOU KNOW DAT

[motownfan5]

@MrRomans829 Not trying to be rude but know what ?

[MrRomans829]

@motownfan5 TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID, WHEN MUSIC WAS MUSIC.... PARTY PARTY PARTY.......... JR WAS COOKIN BACK THEN!!!!! AND I SAID YOU KNOW DAT.... MEANING IM IN AGREEMENT WITH WHAT YOU SAID..

[motownfan5]

@MrRomans829 Sorry about the misunderstanding...nothing personal :)

I'm a lawyer and when someone speaks every word is analyzed.You will never believe this I spoke to Jr.Walkers granddaughter last week.Very nice young lady.I informed her I've seen her grandfather and dad (he opened the show for Jr.back in the 80's) several times and how great a sax player he was.She is only thirty something and when I asked her about Maceo she had no idea who he was/is. Regardless Jr. was the man.

[MrRomans829]

@motownfan5 HEY THATS KOOL, I BELIEVE THAT.

[SalBaby1000]

I am going on 71 and love all of Jr. Walker and the All Stars Music. RIP Jr.

[grandslam1998]

Bravo Bravo.

[mar9man7]

Junior played the sax solo on "Urgent" by Foreigner, what a double threat, great voice, great sax.

[odiousj]

Thanks for all the information. Another great artist with a signature sound.

[Multi2723]

when ever i want to hear the sax ,jr is the one to listen to......

[jdpatterson100]

Hold On....let me find my skates..Lol..;-)

[hymnlover1]

This has always been my fave all-time hit, whatever my mood it really lifts my spirits. My younger daughter (40 now) says one of her earliest memories is of me dancing round the kitchen to it!! Happy days, just love that sexy sax. RIP Junior.

[hurryup925]

a good friend of mine loved this side he was indeed a roadrunner RIP Frank didn't want no woman to die him down lived the life he loved & loved the life he lived.

[greyez7]

3 people are coyotes

[hashirderrick]

many people may like the song but probaly dont understand the message behind the song and who it sung to. in his own way he said that it is time for those who human rights were being violated because of the color of their skin to take arms. i far as im concerned it shouldve been a battle song not a dance song. it is not bout black power but the truth and whats right and whats wrong.

[NAM19661967]

FUKING AWESOME I WAS CRUSING DIWB THE ROAD ONE MORNING I WAS BLASTING THIS CD AND 2 GURKS WHERE BEHIND I GIESS I WAS BEAT ON THEY LOVED ME I WAS ROCKING IN THE CAR THEY WENT CRAZY WATCHING AND LISTENING 2 WANTED 2 PULL OVER, BUT BEFORE WE REACHED A TURN SHE YELLLED WHO IS THAT YOU KOOL I TALD THE BEST IN THE WORLD JR I COULD HAVE GOTTEN LAID BUT MOVED ON DOWN THE ROAD..... DOUG

[1966mybestyear]

@NAM19661967 My God, I can barely read this! Can you see what you are typing? I have never seen so manty incorrectly spelt words. Concentrate on the keys and give us something that we can read, if you MUST comment, please and no swearing.....

[ennui406]

SOLID GOLD! Thanks for posting

[Beats5124]

BLACK POWER BLACK POWER ci nonen wat für uno gusto ins benne cipolete its good

[TheAzore64]

What a shame that jr Walker never seemed to get the recognition that he deserved in G.B. I was about 17 when i first got hooked on his fantastic sax playing.Many thanks for posting, you have made an old man very happy,and brought back many memories.

[bigjoemcCOY]

this is a question aim at potbellypete, and any 1 how can answer. but is it true the drummer on shotgun was benny benjamin?

[nighttrane1]

@bigjoemcCOY That is Benny playing drums on this one....

[bigjoemcCOY]

@nighttrane1 cool. love bennys drumming. was just wondering, because the all stars had there own drummer didnt they??

[nighttrane1]

@bigjoemcCOY Yes, they did, but Motown did use the Funk Brothers on many of Jr. Walker's studio recordings.

[greyez7]

Haha I heard this on Glory Road, but I never knew what it was until now!!!!

Awesome song :D

[promisedeyes]

Awesome! :-D

[billkex]

Jr. Walker alos played the sax on Foriegner's 1980s hit "Urgent".

[billkex]

Peter Framton had a hit with this in the mid 70s that was pretty good.

[rayvon57]

Andy Mackay you are having a laugh! this guy is the business. Mackay learned from the likes of Jr Walker.

[mad4timbo]

The sax player is no Andy Mackay but it's a good song

[3king5]

Gotta believe that it was Andrew "Mike" Terry on the baritone on this jam...he was a Funk Brother all the way...so Motown...so Detroit...so fine!

[3king5]

Berry Gordy brought Junior into Motown's Studio A for this session...and used the Funk brothers to lay down the the backing...it wasn't that the All Stars weren't up to it-it was just that Gordy believed that the Funk Brothers could get the groove going on this jam...listen to James Jamerson lay the bass line down on this tune...it just keeps the bottom in the grove y'all! Gotta love this song and Junior just rolls with it and the Funk Brothers...can you hear that bari in the backing...so fine!

[bluejay55118]

sounds like "roll with it" by steve winwood. he must have been inspired by this song ^^^

[camelguy12]

This song was being played in dance clubs in NYC way before radio DJ's figgered it out..Summer of '67,if i remeber. Great stuff.;)

[thanddi]

Marvelous. Thanks for posting. Junior had 13 children, maybe he really was a roadrunner. Nothing like the real thing. Best sax ever.

[stingyent]

yeaaaaaa



[ianandrew76]

wow that dumb commercial at the beginning sucked

[colindaleradiosutch]

Jr Walker, I'm a road runner, Great Version of this RnB number COLIN DALE RADIO SUTCH.

[hrothgleas]

Gotta listen to this to understand Steve Winwood and Roll with it...

[Tonithenightowl]

@hrothgleas lol yes you can see the influence of R&B on British bands. One could have sworn Winwood was black lol

[SiloNova25]

This sounds like a great song for driving to XD

[Wolfsky9]

This song is the theme of my life--period, with no apology. Wolfsky9

[tastybrownies]

advertisement, what the hell?

[birdyboy1961]

This sums up my fifty years on this planet. I want this played at my funeral.

[nothoughts1]

How amazing is this? How lucky am I? 

[tim60s321]

sadly this is yet another example of a great record being spoiled when remastered to cd by bringing the tinny tisk tisk of the cymbals forward far too much so that they dominate the track==the original record is far more bass with the cymbals far back==this is the so called brightening effect of cd which is not an improvement

[TheSweetSpot52]

@tim60s321 I had to listen to the original. You're right. One of reasons I liked this song was the clear bass, and this certainly sounds flattened out. Dang. I'll just listen to the other one from now on.

[PTRS9K]

IMMORTAL CLASSIC ! EXCELLENT, THANK YOU FOR POSTING

[mslady1753]

My boyfriend had a brand new 1969 Roadrunner and my girlfiend's boyfriend had a 1968 Roadrunner. We would put this in the 8 track (yes I said 8 track) and cruise down the road.

[hurcheon]

@mslady1753 Yeah I did it it in a mini cooper S

[MrBazza86]

Brilliant! Anyone who was a regular in the disco's in the late 60s/early 70s in the UK would love this. Thanks for loading - it's forgotten on the radio these days . . .

[paulthepill]

never ever ages......

[CamberwellSE5]

Takes me back to seeing Junior Walker and the All Stars about a million years ago, well, 1960something, class, sheer class!

[styminho]

a work of soul genious... church, party , blues, all in one song!!!

[5eilat5]

it doesn't get much better than this. thanks for putting this up!

[TheMidcoast1]

"Put the toothbrush in my hand... and let me be a traveling man" back in the day in elem. school....When first I heard that line as I was gooooone. 

[cooldude1234707]

this song is in test drive unlimited i love that game and the song!

[Delta15038]

Test Drive Unlimited is a great game, it is fortunate that this song is in it. I always listen to it.

[MrBenbud]

this song is in Test Drive Unlimited.... XD

[155jj]

Queing up at the cloakroom of the Twisted Wheel with this classic playing in the background, great memories, the birth of northern soul !!! The Soul Soundtrack of the sixties!

[daddybug101]

I'm a roadrunner, baby, got to keep on keepin' on. Oh yes, Oh yes, Oh yes

[rozozzy]

were you even thought about or born then!!lol

[m1ck57]

brilliant

[CheckMate657879]

Wow!!! This intro sure sounds like the intro to Hey 19.

[sagmanix]

one of´ the best songs for ever

[oceanbound222]

Noise 

[volvo850t5rv8awd]

i like this, allthough i listen to HH n rap, 2pac R.I.P @

[kdd3051]

@volvo850t5rv8awd Why do you listen to HH & rap? Just curious. I think you are missing out on so much better music. Certainly it's just my opinion. I consider myself very open to all genre's of music, however, just detest (& I mean DETEST) Rap and HH. So boring, bland, they just talk and they steal all the great songs from the 60's, 70's (I guess they call it sampling). I cannot WAIT til it goes away, really. OK, not knocking you, just sayin'. Again, just curious why you like it.

[8269998]

ROADRUNNER

Nat King Cole's Nature Boy,

leads into the mystic.

taps into THE Higher SOUL sPRINGS.

WHY DOESN'T SOMEONE organise

AN AFRICAN RELAY RUN FOR PEACE -

TUNISIA - MOROCCO - ETHIOPIA - KENYA

TO MATCH THE SPIRIT OF THIS SONG

[TheMidcoast1]

DETROIT BABY!!!!!!

[mhomer4]

Rock On!

[odanak100]

Yes indeed - this tune has been too obscure , thanks for posting

[demibabesss]

love it!!!!!!!!!

[nobbler1]

"Ska -Bar" bexleyheath (above the Co-Op) circa 1965 Ah, sweet memories !

[POLI3721]

Keep On Keeping On!!Yea!!

[hhawkfilm]

Steve Winwood just "Roll With It" didn't he:)

[RoyFive]

Let's just say Steve knows his influences, and he does them proud.

[musicteachjw]

@RoyFive nice way of putting it. Hmmmmmm - knows his influences. I guess that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

[krnc17]

thanks test drive unlimited for this song !!!

[Novas1997]

Yeaaa

[tofelt]

i could play that 30 second INTRO over and over and NEVER get tired of listening to it. that drum snare!!!! GOD, THANK YOU, for MOTOWN!!!!!!!!!

[nocalblkbear]

I so agree with you...the intro is very slick.

[tfcrew]

Does it seem like all the good ones are gone?

[57210post]

Makes me want to dig out my copy and play it through a tube amp and Koss headphones......orgasmic......­.really!!!!

[G0IFI]

The greatest Motown track. Ever. And boy, the competition was fierce.

[JOHNNYSOUL66]

So brill cant explain just listen!!!!

[5eilat5]

jr walker...YAY!!! it can't get better than this.

[B1calaiYa]

This is one of the best (and most playful) Holland-Dozier-Holland productions ever, but just how many musicians were in on this session? The track includes both piano and organ. The bass is as prominent as ever, and the sax can be heard even under the vocal.

[jimmiearm]

@B1calaiYa i like to know too!!

[MCSAFETV]

THE LAST COMMENTS SO TRUE BRO !!!

[epicsdrummer2010]

Actually there are some bands around today like Jr Walker who have a tight, well integrated rhythm section, but there not very many. The key is that less is more. Less is bigger. But this concept is not intuitive. Most musicians want to fill in space. But as the musicians with Jr Walker knew, space is where it's at.

[FpMLuser]

The rhythmn section really unusual for a small band; electric bass, drums and baritone sax. Way solid. Nothing like this going on today.

[sonwamac]

The piano's in there too. Hittin well placed rhythm chords..so subtle you almost don't here it

[hungryherbie]

Road Runner what a song by that great band

Jr Walker & The All Stars....top drawer and thanks for all the information on the video ........cheers

[dlh261]

Man what a good feeling , hearing this good old tune.

[MechelenManiac]

16 years old, tonic mohair suit, Ben Sherman shirt, Ivy shop plaincaps, short hair, boy were we ever teh business. Great beating choon, bring it on.........

[olivermcummins]

JR WALKER and THE ALL STARS what a great

band they were ROAD RUNNER and SHOTGUN

two of my favourite songs ....great posting thanks

[Prostylefilms]

@olivermcummins Check out Cleo's Mood... His music takes me back to the late 60's in Watts California.

[rodney10000]

@olivermcummins ROAD RUNNER and SHOTGUN my favorites by JR WALKER as well, they also had 16 top ten hits.

[5eilat5]

still amazing. thank you for this!

[Lane4411]

The Greatest

[TheAbridgedBros]

I'm just discovering Junior Walker. The type of music my generation is missing.

[daddybug101]

@TheAbridgedBros Listen to Shotgun and Cleo's Mood, Have fun.

[MrBluesrules]

@TheAbridgedBros

If you think this is cool, google the Humble Pie version. it's different but as good.

Steve Marriot was a Rock Monster like others who loved Motown. John Lennons Mr. Postman, and You really got a hold on me are a couple other examples.

[ALMartinez5]

@TheAbridgedBros fuckin A bro!!! thats exactly what i been thinkin! check out some of the artists recently added on my page

[daddybug101]

@TheAbridgedBros Go for it. What a great group to start with.

[phyllis1753]

This tune has been running through my head all week and I couldn't remember the artist. About to drive me nuts! Thanks a WHOLE bunch for posting so I can remember and enjoy. 45 years later and it still moves me!!!

[bobacat21]

This record Blows Your Tits OFF...Monster Soul Sound

[tofelt]

QUALITY CONTROL REJECTED THIS SONG.????? what kind of sound system were they listening to? it would have had my VOTE from jump!!! OMG that INTRO!!! that SAX!!! HARD, DRIVING, POWERFUL to this day! LOVE IT!!!

[TheMidcoast1]

usaverbati....I love the people who love Motown....Keep spreading the love.

[malgray2]

Great number. Takes me straight back to the late sixties and discos in Pwllheli church hall.

[josephsims2006]

GO JUNIOR !

[ladymakini]

what an irrevelant dum statement, listen to the saxophone fool!! does that have enough notes for ya?

[billchew450]

Is it true that Junior could only sing in one key? I think it is, if you listen to all thier songs closely.

[jacopman]

This whole song kicks ass.....everything in the arrangement works tight in the pocket........

I'm a guitar player and just love the funky licks and that bent minor third............yeah baby........

[usaverbati]

im a road runner baby

cant stay in one place too long

love this and all of motown

[clubland459]

I once had a debate with a mate about the 3 most emotional sounds in soul music. For me Stevie Wonder's harmonica playing was first but without a doubt Junior was a close second. He made the saxophone talk. Outstanding. ( Ramsey Lewis on the piano was 3rd by the way).

[sonwamac]

Larry Graham's bass...Hendrix' guitar...but that's not considered "soul music"..but then again you counted Ramsey Lewis' piano and he's a jazz cat so...

[aneras1]

Love the bari part! Pure Motown genius top to bottom!

[cjcollyhurst]

Fantastic, legs are going but this still gets me up, thank you

[martinevans123]

pure class

[syrus2k]

Great song! Defintely a foot-tapper at least.

[Crackers1ify]

Thankyou Junior ~ Awesome !

[edjuvct]

If you aren't moving while this is playing, check for a pulse.

[orangesarasmom]

Down Right the BEST !!! I love this piece !!! As a Little kid in Ohio.... We danced to this 24 hours ...bought 3 vinyls every weekend...... Gold baby !

[ashford4411]

tooooooo good - what a talent

[mvann5566]

some superstitions have angels and harps,in reality we have junior and his saxaphone.mega meag sound,thanks potbelly

[ladymakini]

don't want no woman to tie me down, got ta keep free to roam around.all my life i been like this, if you love me ,it's your own risk!

[Rachelrosier]

best music ever

[thelocarno]

fan- bloody - tastic !!

[LilyBess]

Nothing better.

[SteveGaines]

You should hear the late Steve Gaines of Skynyrd do this with his band "CRAWDAD"...it's on CD called OKIE SPECIAL...

[5eilat5]

the best!

[FriedBullet99]

this song is on test drive unlimited!!! haha

[Nevergoingtohappen]

wasn't this once the opening song to Murphy Brown?

[DoobieUB]

Brilliant! I love this.....Jr Walker = Legend!!

[bluenile048]

recording session the funk brothers

[jodacom]

Has to be the best motown track EVER. Saw tthem in Brighton at an all nighter back in the late sixties - Awesome!!!

[syrus2k]

Great sax.

[Joehilllouistwo]

Sssooooo great !!!

I am a Roadrunner baby !!

Anywhere my home -----  heehhh

And I love the the life I live, and I 'm gonne live the life i love.

Roadrunner baby!

I am gone

[styminho]

this song is the genious of black music.. the structure of it... steve winwood on down....and others!

[jodykirby1]

Good tune. I'm one too. Mainly 5k. I don't know how ironic it is that a guy nicknamed POTBELLY Pete brought ROADRUNNER on here, but thank you Pete nevertheless.

[Paul323Cali]

i love it..Love iT..LOVE iT..!!!,..i remember growing up to this music, i loved it then as much as i still love it now...i can listen to this all day/all night and still never get tired of hearing it,..many many thanks..pls keep post'n all this great music..lotsa love !!!

[Starbja]

Remember seeing him (and many other Motown acts) at the Orchid Ballroom, Purley in the mid-60's. This one always got everyone dancing. Great times, great music!

[deeva56]

LOVE THE MAN SINCE I WAS 7 BACK IN 63!

[kernowwing]

They don't make them like that anymore and it's got the missus dancing in the kitchen.

[psphotographer]

Over 950 views now! This is a real classic and one of the best Motown songs ever! Here are some of the opening lines.... Money, who needs it, Let me live my life free and easy, Put my toothbrush in my hand, And let me be a travelin' man Cause I'm a road runner, aby. I'm a road runner, baby, Can't stay in one place too long, I'm a road runner baby, You might look at me and I'll be gone. You can love me if you wanna, But I do declare, When I get restless I got to move somewhere.

[ricknelms]

547 views for one of the baddest songs of all?