War, Low Rider | Throwback Vibez

In the 181^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Low Rider” by the legendary funk band, War. 

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 they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 181^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Low Rider” performed by War.

Grammy-nominated funk band War is renowned for some banging songs.  Among the crème de la crème is the infectious and timeless “Low Rider”. “Low Rider” is the seventh track from their 1975 album, Why Can’t We Be Friends?. The song is an ode to lowrider Chicano (Mexican American) culture. A rousing success on the pop charts, it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.  The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. “The low rider drives a little slower / Low rider is a real goer.” Indeed!

So, what makes “Low Rider” a surefire funk vibe? First and foremost, the cowbell riff is iconic! Beyond the cowbell, the record features stellar percussion (the Latin percussion and flavor, particularly) and drum groove.  An epic bass line and the percussion machine established is everything.  Adding to everything is the music theory 🤓!  The harmonic progression stands out. It thrives on a G dominant seventh chord (G-B-D-F), sometimes, an extended G9 chord (G-B-D-F-A), as well as a C chord (IV in the G major, minor.  While it sounds mixolydian (G, A, B, C, D, E, F), a bluesy B-flat pops up within the melody multiple times.  Even with the note that should make the song sound more minor than major, “Low Rider” always sounds like it is in a major key… with that lowered seventh. Beyond the quirks that make “Low Rider” a bop, there are also the memorable lyrics sung with playful vocals (“Low rider don’t use no gas now / The low rider don’t drive too fast”).  Horn riffs add to the allure of this classic.  There are plenty of moments that allow the accompaniment to shine beyond the lyrics.  A soulful saxophone solo caps off “Low Rider”, an iconic, infectious, and timeless classic from War.

---

War » Why Can’t We Be Friends? » Far Out Productions, Inc. / Rhino Entertainment » 1975

War, Low Rider: Throwback Vibez No. 181 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Far Out Productions, Inc. / Rhino Entertainment; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]

---