“Route 66” is one of The Rolling Stones’ early covers, released on their 1964 debut album The Rolling Stones. Originally written by American songwriter Bobby Troup in 1946 and famously recorded by Nat King Cole, “Route 66” is a classic rhythm and blues song that celebrates the iconic U.S. highway connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. The Stones’ version of the song captures their raw energy and love for American R&B, transforming the song into a high-energy rock ‘n’ roll anthem that helped define the band’s early sound.
Lyrically, “Route 66” is a travelogue, naming key cities and locations along the famed highway. It expresses the spirit of adventure, freedom, and exploration that Route 66 symbolized for many Americans during the mid-20th century. The lyrics mention cities like St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Amarillo, painting a vivid picture of a journey across the heart of America. The simplicity of the lyrics allows listeners to focus on the song’s upbeat, road-trip vibe, and The Rolling Stones’ version perfectly captures the excitement of being on the open road.
Musically, The Rolling Stones’ rendition of “Route 66” is rooted in their love for American blues and R&B. The band infuses the track with their signature rock ‘n’ roll swagger, driven by Keith Richards’ gritty guitar riff and Charlie Watts’ driving backbeat. Richards’ rhythm guitar adds a sense of urgency to the song, while the dynamic interplay between the instruments creates a sense of movement, mimicking the feel of a car speeding down the highway. The overall sound is raw, energetic, and full of youthful enthusiasm, reflecting the band’s passion for early rock and blues influences.
Mick Jagger’s vocal performance is spirited and confident, as he delivers the lyrics with a sense of excitement and urgency. His voice, full of the swagger that would become his trademark, fits perfectly with the band’s stripped-down, electrified version of the song. There’s a grittiness in Jagger’s vocals that complements the bluesy guitar riffs and propulsive rhythm, capturing the rebellious energy of the early 1960s rock scene.
While The Rolling Stones’ version of “Route 66” stays true to the song’s original rhythm and blues roots, the band’s electrified rock arrangement gives the track a fresh, youthful energy. Their interpretation of the song helped cement their status as one of the leading bands of the British Invasion, known for their ability to take classic American blues and R&B songs and inject them with a new vitality. This cover, in particular, demonstrates the band’s early devotion to American music and their ability to rework classic songs into something distinctly their own.
“Route 66” became a staple of The Rolling Stones’ early live performances, showcasing their raw energy and musicianship during their formative years. The song’s upbeat tempo and rock ‘n’ roll attitude made it a crowd favorite and a key part of their early repertoire. As a cover, it also exemplified The Rolling Stones’ commitment to the American blues tradition, which heavily influenced their music and helped shape their distinctive sound.
In conclusion, The Rolling Stones’ version of “Route 66” is a high-energy rock ‘n’ roll homage to an American classic. With its gritty guitar riffs, driving rhythm, and Mick Jagger’s spirited vocals, the song captures the excitement of the open road and the band’s love for American rhythm and blues. As part of their debut album, this track helped establish The Rolling Stones as one of the most exciting rock bands of the 1960s, paying tribute to their musical influences while adding their own rebellious twist to the iconic song.
