Automobile Music Star, We Salute You

Hey, friend, we see you rocking out in your no-frills midsize sedan.

Keep on banging that steering wheel as if it were the greatest drum kit in the history of the world. Right now, in this moment, it is. Pump out that beat, guy. Whether you are killing the opening drum line of Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks” or drum-filling your way to Rock god status with Phil Collins on “In the Air Tonight”, it’s all good. You do you. Keep pounding and thrashing with everything you’ve got. Pay no heed to the gawkers or lookie-loos. They’re just jealous of your automobile music star glory.

Hello, car full of college gals.

You seem to be really enjoying that song. While we realize it’s probably some new piece of hot garbage that is popular with the youths of today, our sincerest hope is that your obvious joy and exuberance is inspired by Dolly belting out “Jolene” or Whitney dancing into all our hearts with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Regardless what song has captured you so fully, keep on singing and dancing in that overpriced and oversized SUV. Yes, even you, shy girl in the back who thought no one would notice that little fist pump. We noticed and we loved it.

Dear blue haired couple dressed in your Sunday best, we see you cruising in that ‘83 Chrysler LeBaron.

Your faces are lifted in what can only be described as rapturous praise, and we are here for it! If your hymn of choice is “How Great Thou Art” that’s okay by us. If you choose to sing aloud to the wonderfully creative and spiritually sublime triple meter of “Be Thou My Vision” or “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing“ we aren’t going to complain. Blessed saints, keep on driving 25 in a 45 while lifting your voices to your Creator. Your way leads to life.

Hey, middle-aged father with your children in tow, don’t stop being awesome.

We see you guys singing EVERY WORD to “Bohemian Rhapsody” and even though Queen doesn’t need your help at all, I’m sure they welcome every last voice. Those “mama mias” aren’t meant for contemplative listening. They demand participation and you guys are participating your hearts out! And, little dude in the back spitting out the lyrics and punching into the air, rock and roll is an attitude and you have it. You have all of it. Never change.

All the dreamers and singers, the air guitarists and steering wheel drummers, we salute you. Keep belting out those tunes. Keep living in the moment with no concern for what all the other motorists are thinking. Don’t ever let anyone tell you the steering wheel was not intended for reckless and energetic drum rolls. Ignore all the voices that laugh at you when you use your seatbelt as a guitar for the timeless solo in “November Rain.” And, never ever allow the naysayers to convince you that your vehicle is not suitable for dancing. It is in fact the best dance floor you will ever find.

Keep on rocking, automobile music star. Even when you feel like an idiot, particularly when that bearded man with the hipster hat glares at you at the traffic light. Don’t glare back. Fight that negativity with an awesome falsetto (even if it makes no sense in the song you are listening to) and pound out a quick drum fill for good measure. Badly bearded guy’s anger will be powerless to your moment in the sun.

Next time we see you, we will give you the knowing nod of musical kinship and then we will go back to butchering all the lyrics to “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. Because that’s the way we roll.

Phill Lytle
Follow me

Phill Lytle

Phill Lytle loves Jesus, his wife, his kids, his family, his friends, his church, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, 80s rock, the Tennessee Titans, Brandon Sanderson books, Whiteheart, Band of Brothers, Thai food, the Nashville Predators, music, books, movies, TV, writing, pizza, vacation...

5 thoughts on “Automobile Music Star, We Salute You

  • April 14, 2021 at 3:49 pm
    Permalink

    And don’t forget us rare dads who can get our sons joining us in drumming along from the back seat! 🙂

    Reply
  • April 14, 2021 at 6:28 pm
    Permalink

    Yes and amen.

    Reply
  • April 16, 2021 at 2:28 pm
    Permalink

    I do my best singing in the car (alone), and in the shower.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.