The Ides Of March - "Vehicle" (1970)

"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use." This was written by Jim Peterik, who was the group's guitar player and lead singer. He explains how the song came together:
"On April 9, 1968 while I was waiting to see one of my favorite groups, The Turtles, at Riverside Brookfield High School in the Chicago Suburb of Riverside, my eyes wandered to the girl standing in front of me - she was a vision in knee socks and orange culottes - long silky hair and huge blue eyes. As I was trying to screw up the courage to say hello, she turned to me and said, 'Aren't you Peterik?' Turns out she had seen the Ides Of March a month previously when we opened for the New Colony Six at Morton West High School. I said, 'Yeah,' and from there the conversation just seemed to flow. Never had I met a girl I had so much in common with. Karen and I sat together at the show, and by 'Happy Together' she had placed her leg on top of mine (A very positive sign for a first date). After about 6 months of great dates, good times, meadows, making out and serenades, Karen informed me that it was over between us, that she wanted to 'See other people." I was thoroughly heartbroken. I spent the next few months writing sad songs, depressive melodies, introspective garbage, and forcing the Ides to do long Blues jams for our show encores (as the audience streamed out of the Grand Ballroom at State Pier). I was also on a mission to find another Karen. There was a girl who looked a lot like her, but when we started dating, I realized that personality was 9/10's of the law. I guess I had to somehow win her back!
One day I got a call from Karen. My heart jumped into my throat. She asked me if I could drive her to modeling school (she knew I had a pristine white '64 Valiant with mag wheel covers). Instead of playing it cool, I found myself saying, 'I'll be right over.' I figured our proximity would remind her how much she really loved me. It was great riding next to her again, though I had to make sure I controlled my hands and my heart. This pattern continued for a few weeks with Karen asking me to drive her to various appointments and functions. We even sang at a few coffee houses as a duo (we called ourselves "Genesis" predating the famous group by about 3 years). Though it was great to be with her, the newly platonic nature of our relationship was bummin' me out.
One day in a fit of frustration, I heard myself blurt out to her 'You know, all I am to you is your Vehicle' (The word baby was added later). Just then the light bulb popped up on top of my head and I thought about all the guys like me who don't mind being taken for a ride by a beautiful girl. I said 'See you later' and started writing the song."

The Ides Of March formed in 1965 in Berwyn, Illinois. Peterik was 14 at the time. The horn section was added in 1968. They were all teenagers when this was released.

Artist - The Ides Of March
Song - Vehicle
(Lyrics)

Hey, well I'm the friendly stranger
In the black sedan
Oh won't you hop inside my car?
I got pictures, got candy, I am a lovable man
I'd like to take you to the nearest star
I'm your vehicle baby
I'll take you anywhere you wanna go
I'm your vehicle woman
By now I'm sure you know
That I love ya (love you)
Need ya (need you)
I want to, got to have you child
Great God in heaven, you know I love you
Well if you want to be a movie star
I got the ticket to Hollywood
Well if you want to stay just like you are
You know I think you really should
I'm your vehicle baby
I'll take you anywhere you wanna go
I'm your vehicle woman
By now I'm sure you know
That I love ya (love you)
I need ya (need you)
I want to, got to have you child
Great God in heaven you know I love you
Oh you know I do
Well I'm the friendly stranger
In the black sedan
Oh won't you hop inside my car?
I got pictures, got candy, I am a lovable man
I'd like to take you to the nearest star
I'm your vehicle baby
I'll take you anywhere you wanna go
I'm your vehicle woman
By now I'm sure you know
That I love ya (love you)
I need ya (need you)
I want to, got to have you child
Great God in heaven you know I love you
And I'm your vehicle babe
Oooh
You know I love ya (love you)
I need ya (need you)
I want to, got to have you child
Great God in heaven you know I love you

Category:

Education

Tags:

• The
• Ides
• Of
• March
• Vehicle
• 1970
• American
• Graffiti
• movie
• Harrison
• Ford
• TheBacmaster
• Music
• Videos

[yourimaginarypal]

Wait, what movie is this in the video?

[TheBacmaster]

@yourimaginarypal The name of the movie is "American Graffiti" released in 1973.

[nipsterstang]

Awesome, Joe! Great song but Greater movie!! That movie was my life! Our town was exactly like that back in the 60's! We went downtown to look for Girls, a party or a street race. We always found at least one. Great times that will never be duplicated again! Thanks for taking me back there for a few minutes!

Jim

[TheBacmaster]

@nipsterstang I hear you on that Jim. I drag raced for some 17 years on the street (I mean the track) lol ! The days of wine and roses are over. So sad but true. I think all we have left is air the that we breathe.

[rafaelmc76]

this song owns anything in the radio today!!!

[TownBranchDandy]

I used to cruise around in my 69 Roadrunner listening to songs like this on my 8-Track. Long Live Rock.

[apricotpoodles08]

wait this is from the george lucas movie starring harrison ford right? is harrison ford in this clip?

[ninefivesuited]

American Graffiti + Ides of March = BRILLIANT!

[thehifidoc]

@huntersingle actually that was a pretty good guitar solo for the time, and it is my favorite part of the song, You should try to play it.

[huntersingle]

wish they would have kept the guitar solos out of the song, back then they didnt know how to solo except for a small crop of players.

[brainsareus]

i used to run track, while running this song in my head. [i wonder how stoned mckenzie was, while while filming "american graffetti";and harrison, had that crazy glint in the eye, even back then.]

[afromime]

I heard this song on drinknos when i was checking the codes to see if i won anything, then i searched the lyrics to this song, and now i've been listening to it for like a week! haha

[beernpizzalover]

@mazdaplz Yep, Harrison Ford is 'the friendly stranger in the black sedan'.

[MishuTaste]

This band sounds a lot like Chicago Transit Authority.