During the Second World War, American soldiers traveled across the USA via route 66 as they were sent off to the European or the Pacific battlefields and again when they returned home. One of these was a Captain Robert Troup, Jr. of the US Marines.
A former drummer with the Tommy Dorsey Band, this aspiring songwriter and music arranger from Pennsylvania was making the trip once again in 1946 with his wife Cynthia. During the long trip, she leaned over and whispered "get your kicks on Route 66" The phrase stuck with him. and he penned his now famous song. . In Los Angeles he performed the song for Nat King Cole, who made it a hit. In the 1960s, it became the theme song for the popular "Route 66" TV Series".
"Get Your Kicks On Route 66"
By Bobby Troup
If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way,
take the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66.
It winds from Chicago to L.A.
More than 2,000 miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66.
You go through St. Louie, Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty.
You'll see Amarillo, Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona, don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.
Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66. |
