“Ol’ ‘55” by Eagles
The title (“Ol’ 55”) is apparently referring to a motor vehicle that was manufactured back in 1955. And the significance it has is as being the narrator’s first car. So basically, what he is doing throughout is relishing the experience of driving down the freeway in his inaugural motor vehicle. Indeed the whole scenario makes him ‘feel alive’. And apparently he is pulling an exhilarating all-nighter on the road alongside “lady luck”, an imaginary character which is basically symbolic of him hoping to find fortune on the highway.
And again, this is all meant to be within the context of the car he is riding in being his first. The Eagles’ Glenn Frey likened such an experience, i.e. riding in your first car, to an individual getting their first apartment.
So conclusively, we can safely say that “Ol’ ’55”, in a general kind of way, is definitely a car lover’s song. And its overall intended purpose is to celebrate such a person driving in his inaugural whip, with the acquisition of such an item being an achievement in and of itself.
Facts about “Ol’ 55”
“OI’ ‘55” was written by a musician named Tom Waits, who dropped his own version in 1973. Waits went on to criticize the Eagle’s cover of his song, referring to it as “a little antiseptic”. Interestingly enough, the Eagles’ rendition is more-popular than Waits’ original version.
And taking the insult even further, Waits later referred to the Eagles themselves as being a boring.
The Eagles’ version came out on 22 March 1974 as part of their third album, “On the Border”.
It had Bill Szymcyzk as its producer, and the label that put it out is Asylum Records.
Did the Eagles release “Ol’ 55” as a single?
No. Their “On the Border” album was accompanied by only three singles. And these singles are listed below:
- “Already Gone”
- “James Dean”
- “Best of My Love”
I actually asked Tom Waits about this song, and he told me (and the audience at a small club in Denver) that the car was a 1955 Buick that he owned.
Glenn Frey liked to recount that Tom Waits was not a fan of the Eagles’ version, sure; but he did enjoy the royalties their version generated for him.
Nobody has mentioned the ‘ Driving home from your place’.
The guy has just shagged himself to a standstill and is now heading home in his classic car being acknowledged by lots of other road users.
The two best feelings in the world.
Perhaps the Ol’ is an abbreviation of Oldsmobile. The 55 model is a vehicle that would get lots of flashes on the freeway.
Waits said it was about a friend whose car transmission broke and he only had reverse and backed down the freeway with cars and trucks honking and flashing lights, to get out of the way.
Driving in reverse and “leading the parade” of the frustrated motorists behind him with the drivers all flashing their lights at him.. Lady luck to get him to work in one piece.
Waits had to take a girl home to Pasadena and realized the only car was ‘ole ‘55 a Buick that only had reverse. The song is about the ride hone.
Sorry guys. I don’t care what Tom says, but there is only one Ole 55, and that’s a 1955 Chevrolet Belair.
It’s a love song, for crying out loud?! He’s spent the night with his girlfriend and the realities of life, like a job, has called him away to join the rest of us sad sacks stuck out in rush hour.
He was feeling so holy as he moved away slowly, god knows he was feeling alive…he just spent a wonderful night with his cutie, in a warm loving bed no doubt, and he’s remembering his experience from the night before.
Great tune. Love Tom’s version. If I can vote. 😉
Songs mean something different to other people. For me it’s about death and moving on to whatever is next.
Yeah it’s about death to me too.