Composition and History
Despite popular belief, "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" was not the first ever Primus single. That credit goes to "John the Fisherman" from 1990's indie release Frizzle Fry. Because "John the Fisherman" was released on an indie record it had limited popularity, whereas "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" was released on a major label, allowing for greater availability at record stores and more media exposure.
The music is built around Les Claypool's funky idiosyncratic finger-tapped bass line and silly story-telling style vocals, as well as eccentric guitar accompaniment from Larry LaLonde, including a guitar solo (which has been included in many of the Top 100 guitar solos lists on the Internet and in magazines), and Tim Alexander's tight drumming. The chorus is followed by a metallic riff that mimics an engine revving. The result was a catchy song that helped Primus expand their fanbase. "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" received heavy airplay on rock radio, and peaked at number 23 on the Modern Rock Tracks in 1991.
The song features a sample of Bill Moseley's character Chop Top from the film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, chuckling to himself then remarking: "Dog will hunt!"
The phrase, "El Sob #1", is a reference to El Sobrante, California, Claypool's hometown.
Jerry is proud to display a Bocephus sticker on his Oldsmobile 442 racecar, pegging him as a man from the south and muscle-car aficionado.
The title of the song may be an allusion to the Robert A. Heinlein short-story, "Jerry Was a Man".
"Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" appeared in the first Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game, as well as the first ATV Offroad Furyvideogame, and in The Bigs videogame. The song is included in Rock Band 3.
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