Speedway..The Song!

[Juan Luis]

Written by Mel Glazer and Stephen Schlaks and recorded on June 20-21, 1967 at MGM-Hollywood, California with Aaron Rochin & Lyle Burbridge behind the console. Very good rocker with nice piano by Larry Muhoberac. Subtle mixed but effective guitars by Chip Young and Tiny Timbrell. Saxophone by Boots Randolph, and the multi-talented Charlie McCoy on trumpet helping with the "Speedway" track sound horn effects! Driving beat again by Buddy Harman. The great Bob Moore on bass. The Jordanaires help the excitement of the track backing the s-u-p-e-r-b singing by Elvis Presley! I love it!

Was pleasantly surprised when researching to find a cover by a now defunct (lead singer deceased) metal band "static-x". Interesting to say the least. For some (or many of us) are not alone in liking very much Presley movie gems from the 1960's... such as "SPEEDWAY"!

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"Take a ton of bolts and steel
A whole lotta sweat, a set of wheels
On the speedway the flag is down, pistons pound
Plenty of engines ripping around on the speedway

Go for the money and lead the pack
Push the throttle and burn the track
Curl and swirl like you doin' a dance
Straight away's comin' and now's your chance

On the speedway, on the speedway, on the speedway
Stoke that pedal down to the floor
As much as you give, the crowd wants more
More, more, more, more, more on the speedway, on the speedway

Take a spin, hit the brakes
A young little girl shivers and shakes on the speedway
Clear the way, comin' through, kiss from your baby
Just pushin' you on the speedway

Go for the money and lead the pack
Push the throttle and burn the track
Curl and swirl like you doin' a dance
The straight away's comin' and now's your chance

On the speedway, on the speedway, on the speedway
Stoke that pedal down to the floor
As much as you give, the crowd wants more
More, more, more, more, more on the speedway

On the speedway, on the speedway
On the speedway, on the speedway
On the speedway, on the speedway
On the speedway, on the speedway
On the speedway"

[Hard Rocker]

Great song, one of my fave movie title tracks. I've long held the notion that this particular track would lend itself well to a modern remix and if anything, the Static-X cover certainly underscores that call. In some ways, this song reminds me of "A Little Less Conversation". Perhaps it's the nature of the call-and-response style verse, leading up to the anticipation created in the bridge prior to the insistent hook of the comparatively short chorus. Yes, I like Speedway. I like it a lot... but hey, I'm an Elvis guy! Good shout, JL!

[Juan Luis]

Great song, one of my fave movie title tracks. I've long held the notion that this particular track would lend itself well to a modern remix and if anything, the Static-X cover certainly underscores that call. In some ways, this song reminds me of "A Little Less Conversation". Perhaps it's the nature of the call-and-response style verse, leading up to the anticipation created in the bridge prior to the insistent hook of the comparatively short chorus. Yes, I like Speedway. I like it a lot... but hey, I'm an Elvis guy! Good shout, JL!

Thanks! The now deceased founder of static-x (Wayne Static) was definitely on to something good!

[fn2drive]

Let yourself go is the go to track on this soundtrack.While Speedway was is better than the title tracks recently preceding it, it is no Viva Las Vegas. I call it good not great.

[stevelecher]

Hard to believe we're stooping to a thread about Speedway. The future here is looking bleak.

[goldbelt]

The descriptive nature of the lyrics to Speedway paint a picture that almost places the listener in the car surveying the racetrack. The build up of instrumentation, and backing vocals work in combination to great effect to create a feeling of gradual acceleration within the song.

Then, with increased vocal power and phrasing timed to perfection from Elvis on the line "now's your chance on the Speedway", the brass kicks in to emulate the roar of the engine and it all works to really convey a sense of urgency and exhilaration as he puts pedal to the metal on the overtake. The songs tempo reduces again, the race isn't won yet! Great stuff.

I like it a lot!

[Juan Luis]

Hard to believe we're stooping to a thread about Speedway. The future here is looking bleak.

Yeah right. You sure did not state that for "Clambake"!

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=90419&hilit=clambake Oh yes. You call them as you see it! BTW.. this is just a song.

[Juan Luis]

The descriptive nature of the lyrics to Speedway paint a picture that almost places the listener in the car surveying the racetrack. The build up of instrumentation, and backing vocals work in combination to great effect to create a feeling of gradual acceleration within the song.

Then, with increased vocal power and phrasing timed to perfection from Elvis on the line "now's your chance on the Speedway", the brass kicks in to emulate the roar of the engine and it all works to really convey a sense of urgency and exhilaration as he puts pedal to the metal on the overtake. The songs tempo reduces again, the race isn't won yet! Great stuff.

I like it a lot!

Thanks for telling it better than I did!

[Hard Rocker]

The descriptive nature of the lyrics to Speedway paint a picture that almost places the listener in the car surveying the racetrack. The build up of instrumentation, and backing vocals work in combination to great effect to create a feeling of gradual acceleration within the song.

Then, with increased vocal power and phrasing timed to perfection from Elvis on the line "now's your chance on the Speedway", the brass kicks in to emulate the roar of the engine and it all works to really convey a sense of urgency and exhilaration as he puts pedal to the metal on the overtake. The songs tempo reduces again, the race isn't won yet! Great stuff.

I like it a lot!

Genius! I had to read that twice. Mind you, second time around I buckled up and pulled on a crash helmet.

[rlj4ep]

The song Speedway is a catchy tune. It's a fun song from a fun movie meant simply to entertain and allow the viewing audience to sit back enjoy themselves and have fun.
I agree with a previous post that "Let Yourself Go" is probably the best track on the album. I must confess, ever since I was a kid and saw this movie the song, "Your Time Hasn't Come Yet Baby" has always had a place in my heart. Not a song worthy of a Grammy, but I like it anyway.

rlj

[drjohncarpenter]

MGM 1957 title song = "Jailhouse Rock"
MGM 1967 title song = "Speedway"

What a difference a decade makes.

For those who listen closely to this unremarkable MGM title song, do note more than a passing nod to Neal Hefti and his 1966 TV theme song "Batman," most especially on the chorus. Some of the sets in the film also evoke the "look" of the innovative ABC-TV hit. It was not a coincidence.


..

Holy 1960's Batman, Batman- Intro/Theme Song

[Juan Luis]

.[/youtube]I find the Batman theme more akin to "Stranger In My Own Home Town" with its 12 bar blues progression and horns. Listen to the bass, especially. If you don't hear a little Batman!

[Steve Morse]

As regards the lyrics, I always thought it was :

Stomp that pedal down to the floor, and

The only girl shivers and shakes

but I am 9000 miles away from my "Complete Lyrics" books, so I can't check.

I love the recording, though !

[stevelecher]

Perhaps, "Your little girl, shivers and shakes...." That's been my take. Also, "Plenty of engines, ripping the ground, on the Speedway."

[Mister Mike]

As regards the lyrics, I always thought it was :

Stomp that pedal down to the floor, and

The only girl shivers and shakes

but I am 9000 miles away from my "Complete Lyrics" books, so I can't check.

I love the recording, though !

You're right, it is «Stomp that pedal down to the floor».

However, for the other lyric, I still hear «A young little girl shivers and shakes on the speedway».

[r&b]

MGM 1957 title song = "Jailhouse Rock"
MGM 1967 title song = "Speedway"

What a difference a decade makes.

For those who listen closely to this unremarkable MGM title song, do note more than a passing nod to Neal Hefti and his 1966 TV theme song "Batman," most especially on the chorus. Some of the sets in the film also evoke the "look" of the innovative ABC-TV hit. It was not a coincidence.


..

Holy 1960's Batman, Batman- Intro/Theme Song

You are right. When I first heard it, I thought of the similarity to Batman. But Batman was 1966, this was 1968, and yet again another dated car song and another disappointing LP from Elvis and it wasnt as good as Spinout, but hey I guess it had a good beat and was miles better than the Clambake or Double Trouble movie themes so all was OK in the Elvis world right? Did I mention this was 1968? The year would soon be salvaged.

[Eggrert]

I have a mixed relationship with Speedway and Spinout (the songs). Sometimes I quite enjoy them, sometimes I find them rather tuneless and unappealing. On the whole, I'd give the edge to Speedway; for some reason I like the muffled sound of the recording, with all that gratuitous echo. Can't really explain why.

My favourites from the film, though, are There Ain't Nothing Like A Song (I like the energy on this track) and Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby (very pretty tune, and Elvis sings it gorgeously).

[r&b]

I have a mixed relationship with Speedway and Spinout (the songs). Sometimes I quite enjoy them, sometimes I find them rather tuneless and unappealing. On the whole, I'd give the edge to Speedway; for some reason I like the muffled sound of the recording, with all that gratuitous echo. Can't really explain why.

My favourites from the film, though, are There Ain't Nothing Like A Song (I like the energy on this track) and Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby (very pretty tune, and Elvis sings it gorgeously).

Dont like Let Yourself Go? A tune worthy enough for Elvis to include it on his TV show.

[Mike Windgren]

Hi there!! .

Thanks Juan Luis! .

It´s a nice song, the bootleg release of Speedway take 4 "Unedited Master" as included on Elvis-Legendary Performer Vol 7, sounds cool in Binaural .

http://www95.zippyshare.com/v/JO0lVXI8/file.html
Speedway. (2007 Take 4-Unedited Master). Binaural Audio Wav Rip.


Elvis-A Legendary Performer Vol 7 cd. Madison. CWP 11. 2005.

Here is hope this will be included on the forthcoming FTD release of Speedway with lots of "Mine" outtakes . Bye for now .

Source: http://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/670620.html#07

[Eggrert]

Dont like Let Yourself Go? A tune worthy enough for Elvis to include it on his TV show.

I actually like the whole album, with the exception of He's Your Uncle. But I've always felt that that Comeback Special version (the short edit) completely smokes the Speedway master of Let Yourself Go. Similarly, I think the "Comeback Special" version of ALLC is miles ahead of either the single or the album version.

But yeah, if we're allowed to count the 1968 version, Let Yourself Go beats the pants off of everything on Speedway by a country mile.

[Hard Rocker]

The Diceman covered Let Yourself Go...

..

[drjohncarpenter]

MGM 1957 title song = "Jailhouse Rock"
MGM 1967 title song = "Speedway"

What a difference a decade makes.

For those who listen closely to this unremarkable MGM title song, do note more than a passing nod to Neal Hefti and his 1966 TV theme song "Batman," most especially on the chorus. Some of the sets in the film also evoke the "look" of the innovative ABC-TV hit. It was not a coincidence.


..

Holy 1960's Batman, Batman- Intro/Theme Song

You are right. When I first heard it, I thought of the similarity to Batman. But Batman was 1966, this was 1968, and yet again another dated car song and another disappointing LP from Elvis and it wasnt as good as Spinout, but hey I guess it had a good beat and was miles better than the Clambake or Double Trouble movie themes so all was OK in the Elvis world right? Did I mention this was 1968? The year would soon be salvaged.

Funny that no one seems to notice my post draws a contrast between what Elvis created for MGM in 1957 and what he did in 1967. It's only ten measly years, and yet it's a chasm a mile wide.

ABC-TV's "Batman" debuted on 1-12-1966, "Speedway" cut at the 6-20-1967 MGM session, about a year and a half later. Of course, by the time the film was in the movie theaters in the summer of 1968, the show had been cancelled. Interestingly, the obscure New York songwriting team of Mel Glazer and Stephen Schlaks found even greater success after scoring the MGM title tune.

Glazer, who turns 85 in February, went on to be an assistant professor of music business at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, NY, teach songwriting in his spare time, and apparently is a New Jersey-sponsored speaker on the life of native son Frank Sinatra.

http://www.melglazer.com/index.php

Schlaks migrated to Italy and released a string of successful, MOR instrumental LPs. His site calls them "Richly Orchestrated Melodies that will take you on a voyage filled with the aura of Romance and Intrigue. Music played and recorded by musicians hand picked from Italy's famed orchestras of Milan and Rome." How yummy!

http://www.europesgreatestmusic.com/First_Twelve_Covers.htm

[Hard Rocker]

I'm amused by all this Bat waffle. Well wide of the mark, IMO.

[Stevenson]

Hi there!! .

Thanks Juan Luis! .

It´s a nice song, the bootleg release of Speedway take 4 "Unedited Master" as included on Elvis-Legendary Performer Vol 7, sounds cool in Binaural .

http://www95.zippyshare.com/v/JO0lVXI8/file.html

Here is hope this will be included on the forthcoming FTD release of Speedway with lots of "Mine" outtakes . Bye for now .

Source: http://www.keithflynn.com/recording-sessions/670620.html#07

Thanks for Speedway in binaural!

Aren't most of the "Mine" outtakes an overdubb of an instrumental track??
If I remember correctly, Elvis suggested making a backing track after some take...
Still, it would be nice to have them all, but I'm afraid there will be not much difference between them.
And, besides, I'm hoping more for an FTD treatment of Kissin' Cousuns soundtrack

[Hard Rocker]

Apparently Quentin Tarantino had the set designers on Pulp Fiction view Speedway. They consequently found inspiration for the interior car-seating booths in "Jack Rabbit Slims" via the dining set-up in "The Hangout".