Riding in My Car facts for kids
"Riding in My Car" (also called "Car Car" or "The Car Song") is a popular children's song. It was written by the famous American folk singer Woody Guthrie. This fun song is loved by families and often sung together.
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How the Song Started
Woody Guthrie wrote "Riding in My Car" in the 1940s. At that time, he was living in Coney Island, New York. He was writing many songs during this busy period.
The song was first recorded in the mid-1940s. These recordings are known as The Asch Recordings. It was first put out on a 78 RPM record. Later, it was part of Guthrie's 1951 album, Songs to Grow on, Volume One: Nursery Days. This album was released on a 12-inch vinyl LP. Since then, the song has appeared on many collections of Guthrie's music.
What Makes the Song Fun
The words in "Riding in My Car" are very playful. They use sounds that imitate real noises. This is called onomatopoeia. For example, the song has a "motorboat" sound. This sound copies a car's engine.
I'm a gonna let you blow the horn,
I'm a gonna let you blow the horn,
A oorah, a oorah, a oogah, oogah,
I'll take you riding in my car.
"Riding in My Car" is one of Woody Guthrie's most famous children's songs. It is still a favorite for families and group sing-alongs today. The song is even included in the popular songbook Rise Up Singing.
Other Artists Who Sang It
Many other musicians have recorded "Riding in My Car."
- Peter, Paul and Mary sang it on their 1964 album In Concert.
- Donovan included it on his 1965 album What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid. He also performed it live at the Kennedy Center in 2012.
- Other artists like Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, and Judy Collins have also covered the song.
Even famous rock stars have performed this song.
- Bruce Springsteen sang it at a tribute concert for Woody Guthrie in 1996. This performance was released on the record Til We Outnumber 'Em.
- Bob Dylan performed the song at The Gaslight Cafe in 1961. Another performance by Dylan from a private party in 1961 was later released on a special record.
A Book Inspired by the Song
In 2012, Scott Menchin published a children's book called Riding in My Car. This book was inspired by Woody Guthrie's song. It includes illustrations that go along with the song's lyrics.
