Wilson Pickett, Engine Number 9 | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 153^rd edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Engine Number 9” by Wilson Pickett.  

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 153^rd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Engine Number 9” performed by Wilson Pickett.

“Engine, engine number 9 / Can you get me back on time? / Move on, move on down the track / Keep that steam comin’ out the stack / Keep on movin’, keep on movin’, keep on movin’.” Woo! Get him back on time! Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Wilson Pickett (1941 – 2006) was among the most dynamic singers of all time. On his classic, “Engine Number 9”, the commanding, gritty, and powerful soul singer is on autopilot.  On his 1970 album, In Philadelphia, there are two versions of the classic.  The first is “Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9 (Pt. 1 & Pt. 2)” which appears as the album’s sixth track.  The more popular version is the “Engine Number 9 – Single Version” that appears as the 11^th and penultimate track. “Engine Number 9” peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Hall of Fame songwriting and production duo of Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff penned and produced it.

“Engine Number 9” is set in a minor key. Despite the dark key, Wilson Pickett remains enthusiastic and exuberant to the nth degree. He is commanding and gritty, showing off his vocal power.  The attitude he brings to the track, as well as hoops, hollers, and screams, is ear-catching to the nth degree. He sings with incredible authenticity and sincerity. “Engine, engine number 9 / Move on, move on down the line,” he sings in refrain, and adds, “I can’t wait to see my baby’s face.”  Much like “Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You” from the same album, the musical accompaniment slaps.  The backdrop is exuberant, funky, groovy, and oozing with S-O-U-L. Among the striking sounds are percussion, guitar riffs, rhythmic guitar lines, an active, fat bass line, and organ.  There is a, dare I say, badass electric guitar solo (They’d probably say mean back in the day).  The funky “Engine Number 9” cooks from the start and never lets up.  No extensive analysis is necessary as the late, great Wilson Pickett is on fire!