Tobacco Road/The Nashville Teens

"Tobacco Road" is a song written and first recorded by John D. Loudermilk in 1960 that was a hit for The Nashville Teens in 1964 and has since become a standard across several musical genres.

Originally framed as a folk song, "Tobacco Road" was a semi-autobiographical tale of growing up (in the rough East Durham area of Durham, North Carolina). Released on Columbia Records, it was not a hit for Loudermilk, achieving only minor chart success in Australia. Other artists, however, immediately began recording and performing the song.

The English group The Nashville Teens' rendering was a bold effort featuring prominent piano, electric guitar and bass drum parts and a dual lead vocal: Mickie Most produced it with the same tough-edged-pop feel that he brought to The Animals' hits. "Tobacco Road" was a trans-Atlantic pop hit in 1964, reaching number 6 on the UK singles chart and number 14 on the U.S. singles chart. While the Teens would have some further success in England, in the U.S. "Tobacco Road" became another one-hit wonder of the British Invasion. The Nashville Teens' cover version was featured at the close of episode 1 of season 4 of the hit television show "Mad Men" on July 25, 2010.

In the 1970s, songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman claimed to have been inspired by Tobacco Road while writing Sweet's "Blockbuster", after accusations of stealing the guitar riff from David Bowie's "Jean Genie".

"Tobacco Road" has been performed by a great number of other artists, often with slightly altered lyrics. Notable renderings include a soul one from Lou Rawls, a folk rock one from Jefferson Airplane on their debut album Takes Off, Mind Garage, a lengthy 17-minute version by Edgar Winter and his band, a sample on dead prez's Psychology, and others from Eric Burdon & War, Spooky Tooth, Status Quo, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, Steve Young, Love Affair, David Lee Roth, Aum, Tommy Cash, Blues Magoos, Blues Creation, Bobbie Gentry, Rare Earth, Jean-Jacques Goldman, an unreleased version by Jimi Hendrix, Southern Culture on the Skids, Serbian rock bands Smak and Disciplin A Kitschme, and so on. It has been done as blues, country music, punk rock, or garage rock. In 2006 it was featured in the finale of the hit television show American Idol, and was performed on the show by contestant Phil Stacey in 2007 and Syesha Mercado in 2008.

On 1 February 1966, Lou Rawls performed the song as a medley with "Southside Blues", which was included on his album "Live!".

In 1967, Eric Burdon & The Animals performed it on a German TV show.

In 1970 it was an Atlantic hit by Eric Burdon & War. This version runs for 14 minutes. Later, after they disbanded, they released another version featured on many compilations.

Eric Burdon released some live recordings on "Access All Areas", "Official Live Bootleg#2", "Athens Traffic Live". A 11-minute live version from the early 1980s was released later.

"Tobacco Road" was also recorded by Hank Williams Jr. on his "Hog Wild" album in 1995.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• funk
• rock
• R&B
• soul
• vocal
• The
• Nashville
• Teens
• John
• D.
• Loudermilk
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[EenterE]

Fantastic Rey T-UP ! Might try this myself,lol. You pick somr Rock'N songs. Have a great day ! E

[CookiesDen2]

Thank you E. I'm happy you enjoyed this. Would love to hear you cover this song.

Have a great day! We have rain here.

Rey

[blues999z]

The Best --- Great Post .........

[CookiesDen2]

Thank you. I'm happy you enjoyed this.

[allshookup1977]

Boy, this song sure takes me back to my days of youth, I loved this song back then, it was "cool" (lol)! Loved that lead guitar riff too! A terrific blast from the past Rey, and a great video too! Enjoyed this very much! Cheers! ... FrAnK

[CookiesDen2]

Hi Frank -

I'm happy you enjoyed this post. It is a great song. I also love the Animals version of it. Glad it took you back to your youth. Thanks for the great comment.

Rey

[RickBeall]

Awesome video to go with the song! I knew the song but never was able to listen to the words before. Thank you!

[lelandsss]

Mad Men.

[TimMcMullen]

Great background info. I would encourage folks to listen to Loudermilk's version. It is a real revelation—well-described in your write up.

[mogges1]

any one know what happen the version hank williams jr did .

cant find it

[CookiesDen2]

Thanks Aless. Glad you enjoyed it.

Hugs,

Rey