Wilson Pickett, “Mustang Sally” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 122^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Mustang Sally” by legendary Southern soul artist, 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 Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 122^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Mustang Sally”, performed by 🎙 Wilson Pickett.

Theme & Lyrics ✍  

“Mustang Sally, guess you better slow your Mustang down.” Iconic, iconic, ICONIC! 🎙 Wilson Pickett (1941 – 2006) had a surefire, timeless gem on his hands with 🎵 “Mustang Sally” – that is an understatement!  “Mustang Sally” commenced the southern soul singer’s 1966 album, 💿 The Wicked Pickett. Wicked, Mr. Pickett was indeed as “Mustang Sally” finds him delivering a wild, gritty performance intact with some sick wails. His attitude and energy are incredibly infectious, as is the music.  The groove is potent from the beginning, with one of the sickest bass lines in the soul book.  “You been running all over the town now / Oh, I guess I’ll have to put your flat feet on the ground.” Yes, yes, yes!  

The second verse is as intriguing as the first, particularly the first half.  Pickett informs the audience, “I bought you a brand-new Mustang / A nineteen sixty-five / Now you come around signifying a woman / You don’t wanna let me ride.” Oh, snap! While the Ford Mustang was a big deal when this song was released, clearly, Wilson is speaking beyond the sweet sports car.  Someone else will be riding with Sally, or perhaps, driving Sally… Anyways, beyond the sexual innuendo, one of the most memorable lyrics of “Mustang Sally” appears in the chorus. Pickett sings assertively, “Listen, all you want to do is ride around Sally,” supported by background vocalists responding, “Ride, Sally, ride.” He concludes the charming section, singing, “One of these early mornings / You gonna be wiping your weeping eyes / What I said now.”  What a great song!  

Final Thoughts 💭  

🎵 “Mustang Sally” is one of the best songs of the soul catalog in my eyes.  The fact that it settled for a no. 23 peak on the pop charts is criminal.  Of course, chart success doesn’t tell the whole story about so many classics.  “Mustang Sally” has far surpassed that moderate success.  If nothing else, during my days in high school band, it was always one of my favorites and that was in the early aughts, more than 30 years after it was released.   

🎙 Wilson Pickett • 💿 The Wicked Pickett.• 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 1966 

Wilson Pickett, “Mustang Sally”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 121 (2022) [📷: Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype]