Route 66 (song)

"(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" is an American popular song, composed in 1946 by Bobby Troup and first recorded that same year by Nat King Cole.

Related Topics:
American - Popular song - Bobby Troup - Nat King Cole

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Troup conceived the idea for the song while driving west from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles, California, and the lyrics — which include references to the U.S. highway of the title and many of the cities it passes through — celebrate the romance and freedom of automobile travel.

Related Topics:
Pennsylvania - Los Angeles, California - U.S. highway - Automobile

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The lyrics read as a sort of mini-travelogue about the major stops along the route, listing several cities and towns that Route 66 passes through. Specifically mentioned, in order, are St. Louis, Missouri; Joplin, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Amarillo, Texas; Gallup, New Mexico; Flagstaff, Arizona; Winona, Arizona; Kingman, Arizona; Barstow, California; and San Bernardino, California. Winona is the only town out of sequence in the list. It was a very small settlement east of Flagstaff, and might have been forgotten if not for the song's lyric, "Don't forget Winona" intended to rhyme with "Flagstaff, Arizona."

Related Topics:
St. Louis, Missouri - Joplin, Missouri - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Amarillo, Texas - Gallup, New Mexico - Flagstaff, Arizona - Winona, Arizona - Kingman, Arizona - Barstow, California - San Bernardino, California

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Cole's rendition of "Route 66" became a hit on both the U.S. R&B and pop record charts,

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The song has since been covered by numerous other vocal and instrumental artists, including:

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The Rolling Stones

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Van Morrison

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Depeche Mode

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The Manhattan Transfer

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