The Ides of March, Vehicle | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 55^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Vehicle” by rock band,  The Ides of March. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 55^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Vehicle”, performed by 🎙 The Ides of March. 

“I’m your vehicle, baby / I can take you anywhere you wanna go.” Oh, really? Good to know 🎙 Jim Peterik! Peterik penned and served as the lead vocalist on 🎙 The Ides of March classic, 🎵 “Vehicle” (💿 Vehicle, 1970).  “Vehicle” was by far the rock band’s biggest hit, peaking at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.  There are plenty of reasons why “Vehicle” is awesome. It begins with the fun, playful lyrics, which, interestingly, were inspired by Peterik’s ‘relationship’.  The woman, to which he was a chauffeur to – only a vehicle to her –  would become his wife. How cool is that?  “I love ya (love ya) / I need ya (need ya) / I wants ya, gots to have you child,” Peterik sings in the second half of the chorus, adding, “Great God in heaven, you know I love you.”

Besides the ear-catching lyrics (“Hey, well, I’m the friendly stranger in the black sedan”) and powerful, soulful vocals by Peterik, the music is equally electrifying. Simply put, “Vehicle” rocks! It kicks some serious a$$ and takes names with its biting horns, gritty organ, and of course, standard rock instrumentation. The riffs are lit 🔥, and honestly probably a big reason why “Vehicle” became the pop hit it did.  It is a prime example of that 1970s song that appeals to multiple fan bases – the pop, rock, and soul crowd.  No extensive analysis necessary as 🎵 “Vehicle” speaks for itself!

🎙 The Ides of March • 💿 Vehicle • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 1970

The Ides of March, “Vehicle”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 55 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Warner; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]