This song ties into my article: That Californian Trip, Route 66, when we followed Route 66 into Los Angeles from Roy’s Cafe at Amboy. OK, it is a bit of a cliche but it is the classic Route 66 song!

It was written by an American jazz pianist called Bobby Troup in 1946 following a road trip to Los Angeles  with his wife Cynthia. He thought of calling it I-40 but she came up with the title and the rest is history.

It was first performed by Nat King Cole in 1946 – he of the too big suit.

However, there have been numerous versions, including the big band sound of Perry Como in 1959 who unusually includes all of the lyrics.

Then a delightfully youthful Rolling Stones sang it on their debut album in 1964. This video is worth watching just to see an incredibly young Mick Jagger strutting his stuff.

Lastly, I quite like the 2012 cover by Glenn Frey of the Eagles, who appears to have kidnapped the waitresses from Roy’s Cafe for his video.

It is quite interesting to listen to the 4 different versions and see how different the same song can sound. Which one is your favourite?

LYRICS – Route 66

Well if you ever plan to motor west
Just take my way that’s the highway that’s the best
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well it winds from Chicago to L. A.
More than 2000 miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma city looks oh so pretty
You’ll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don’t forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Would you get hip to this kindly tip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66
Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma city looks oh so pretty
You’ll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don’t forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Would you get hip to this kindly tip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66