Bigger cultural movement — American hot rodding or the British Invasion?
While the answer is up for debate, there’s no disputing that cars and music go hand-in-hand — and have for quite some time. Custom cars, classic vehicles, and sports cars have been the focal points of many songs, albums, videos, and even band names. And what could be better than cruising around with your windows down and your favorite song turned up, right?
Monday’s Grammy Awards will celebrate music, but there’s nothing to commemorate the special relationship between music and cars. That’s why we convened an emergency meeting of the OnAllCylinders editorial board (actual footage below) and now semi-proudly present the first-ever:
OnAllCylinders Cammy Awards
The “Cammies” are a lot like Monday’s Grammy Awards — but with a completely different spelling and decidedly hot rod flavor. You can check out all the categories below and then cast your vote by writing your choices in the comments section as we unveil the nominees in each category. As always, write-ins are welcome and will be tallied. You can also vote on the OnAllCylinders or Summit Racing Facebook pages as each category is shared.
And now the categories:
Best Song About a Car
(nominees announced 2/13)
- Little Deuce Coupe (The Beach Boys)
- Little Red Corvette (Prince)
- Low Rider (War)
- Little GTO (Ronnie & The Daytonas)
- Hot Rod Lincoln (Commander Cody)
- Mercury Blues (Alan Jackson)
Best 1960s Driving Song
(nominees announced 2/15)
- Fun, Fun, Fun (The Beach Boys)
- Mustang Sally (Wilson Pickett)
- Born to be Wild (Steppenwolf)
- I’ve Been Everywhere (Johnny Cash)
- Drive My Car (The Beatles)
Best Band Named After a Car/Truck
(nominees announced 2/16)
- The Cars
- REO Speedwagon
- Fabulous Thunderbirds
- Pantera
- Relient K
Best 1970s Driving Song
(nominees announced 2/17)
- Radar Love (Golden Earring)
- Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
- Blitzkrieg Bop (The Ramones)
- Ramblin’ Man (The Allman Brothers Band)
- Take it Easy (The Eagles)
- Highway Star (Deep Purple)
Best Car in a Music Video
(nominees announced 2/18)
- Ford Eliminator − Legs (ZZ Top)
- 1964 Chevrolet Impala − It Was a Good Day (Ice Cube)
- 1970 Dodge Challenger − Show Me How to Live (Audioslave)
- Porsche 911 − White Knuckle Ride (Jamiroquai)
- Ferrari 512 BBi − I Can’t Drive 55 (Sammy Hagar)
Best 1980s Driving Song
(nominees announced 2/19)
- Kickstart My Heart (Motley Crue)
- She Sells Sanctuary (The Cult)
- Panama (Van Halen)
- Runnin’ Down a Dream (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
- Holiday Road (Lindsey Buckingham)
Best Roadtrip Singalong Song
(nominees announced 2/21)
- Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
- God the Bless the U.S.A. (Lee Greenwood)
- Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
- Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)
- American Pie (Don McLean)
- Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Best Album Cover with a Car
(nominees announced 2/22)
- Born to Be Wild (Steppenwolf)
- Little Deuce Coupe (Beach Boys)
- Eliminator (ZZ Top)
- Heartbeat City (The Cars)
- Abbey Road (The Beatles)
Best 1990s Driving Song
(nominees announced 2/23)
- Life is a Highway (Tom Cochrane)
- Song 2 (Blur)
- The Distance (Cake)
- Sabotage (Beastie Boys)
- Summertime (DZ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince)
- Rusty Cage (Soundgarden)
Check back and cast your vote as we unveil the nominees for each category!
Hot Rod Lincoln