Bruce's car is nicer than my car.
Welp, we bought a car.
If ever an industry were ripe for disruption, it would be the automotive industry. The process of buying a car feels impossibly outdated. The whole game is run by middle men (the dealerships), who you’re expected to negotiate with, back and forth, always ready to walk away from the deal. It reminds me of that scene in Swingers when they talk about how long to wait before you call a girl. “If you call too soon, you might scare off a nice baby who’s ready to party.”
Go to 2:23 for the part I mention. But really, the whole thing's great, and you're probably watching this on a Friday, so treat yourself already whydontcha.
Just like the world of dating needed Tinder, the world of buying a car needs an app. (Wheeler? Binder? Carby Parker?) Swipe left on the lemons, swipe right on a winner, tap something, you bought a car. Easy!
But anyway: a very nice woman sold us a very nice Mazda the other day at almost the exact moment WXNA was broadcasting the second-to-most recent episode of Rick Pecoraro Talks to Himself. The theme? Cars! It’s a masterpiece of an episode, and you can hear it here. Below that, my playlist, and my notes.
1. The Beach Boys: Fun, Fun, Fun
Car as metaphor for freedom. Dig the Chuck Berry licks as we segue into ...
2. Chuck Berry: No Money Down
Car as metaphor for car. (Recommended reading: Chuck Klosterman on which rock star historians of the future will remember.)
3. The Clash: Brand New Cadillac
Car as metaphor for success.
The Cadillac of rock bands.
4. Bruce Springsteen: Pink Cadillac
Car as metaphor for, uh, object of desire. And note: RPTtH is supported in part by Cadillac. (Also, recommended reading: “I love Bruce Springsteen!!!” — Joe Strummer.)
5. Tracy Chapman: Fast Car
Car as metaphor for salvation. (Side note: The New York Times Magazine recently explored TV’s dwindling working class. What about pop music’s dwindling working class? Times editors: I'm available!)
6. War: Low Rider
Car as metaphor for awesomeness.
7. David Bowie: Always Crashing in the Same Car
Car as metaphor for drug addiction.
8. Spoon: Car Radio
Car as metaphor for, uh … ?
9. Maren Morris: 80s Mercedes
Car as metaphor for glamour.
10. Kaleo: Automobile
Car as metaphor for restlessness.
11. Hayes Carll: Drive
Car as metaphor for aimlessness.
12. Paul McCartney: Back Seat of My Car
Car as metaphor for car as vehicle for lust. Also, this song is nuts.
13. Lucinda Williams: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Car as metaphor for everything. A master class in precision.
*-Whither musical interlude #7? Well, last week’s episode of RPTtH, on Closer Looks, featured a playlist by the man himself. So no post from me on that one. But listen here!
Rick Pecoraro Talks to Himself airs Thursdays at 2pm Eastern (1pm Nashville time). You can listen live over the airwaves on 101.5 FM, or stream it at wxnafm.org.