As long as there has been human life on Planet Earth there has been music. Since all cultures in the world have some form of music social scientists have concluded that the first music was created in Africa, where they believe the human race originated, and spread throughout the world as various groups migrated. Music is always influenced by the events that take place within a cultural group and the groups' reaction to those events. The emotions and philosophies expressed in music and the manner in which musicians convey them will change from one era to another and from one locale to another.
The musicians of the early 20th century in America sang about cars and the changes this invention brought to society. When wars happen, musicians sing about wars. If tragedy strikes, that tragedy finds its way into music. And throughout history there have been tragedies that have caused disillusionment among the young. This disillusionment would find an outlet in music and some social revolt on the part of youth. One example is the Roaring 20's. Young men returned from war, having learned through bitter experience, the difference between the idealistic glory expressed in 'Over There' and the gore of Flanders Field. And thus began the social revolution of the Flapper Age.
Meat Loaf
Again in the 1960's, youth were torn apart by the Vietnam conflict. So a tragedy culture evolved. At the same time automobile accidents were on the increase and many of the youth's heroes, such as Jimmy Dean died in these accidents. Consequently a flurry of songs about car crashes became a popular theme both in pop and rock music as well as country western. Some of these were eulogies. For example, in 1964 The Beach Boys recorded "A Young Man is Gone" in memory of James Dean who had been killed in a car accident. Much later, in 1994, Suede recorded "Daddy's Speeding", another eulogy to Dean.
Then in 1998, Jill Johnson did "Karleken ar" in response to Princess Diana's death in a car accident in Paris.
"Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are" (Meat Loaf) came about because the singer was devastated over the death of a close, personal friend. "Glass In The Trees" by Dead Poetic is another song about a friend who was killed in a car accident. Young people are always drawn to love themes and car crash songs are no exception.
Ray Peterson's "Tell Laura I Love Her" is the love story of Laura and Tommy. Tommy needs ,000 to buy Laura an engagement ring so he enters a stock car race hoping to win the money. Instead, he is killed. Another song, "Teen Angel" tells of a teen couple whose car is stalled on the railroad tracks. The boy runs back to the car for his school ring and is struck down by an oncoming train. Country western joins the crash genre with Phantom 309, by Red Sovine. A hitchhiker meets the ghost of a truck driver who died when he drove his semi into a ditch to avoid a collision with a bus carrying teenagers.
And some of the car crash songs relate to safety education. One example is "Airbag" by Radiohead wherein the lyrics state, "an airbag saved my life."
Car Crash Songs
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