It's like a motorcycle at a hot dog stand!

Jonathan Richman - "Fender Stratocaster"

I just heard this song on the radio and felt its simple yet profound joy needed to be shared with all who can hear me. Jonathan Richman is no musical genius, nor is he a knucklehead but he can extract the genius in the knucklehead like nobody can. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go listen to the Original Modern Lovers album over and over and over and over

Born in the 50s looking so bold
Fender Stratocaster
Everythin' your parents hated about rock 'n roll
Fender Fender Fender

Wangin' and a twangin, sounding so tough
Fender Stratocaster
And the kids in my corner, they can't get enough
Fender Fender Fender
Like the wind in your hair when the top is down
Like taillights headed for another town
Fender Stratocaster, well there's something about that sound.

Like gasoline in the sand
Fender Stratocaster
Like a motorcycle at a hotdog stand
Fender Fender Fender
Like the Dunkin Donuts in Mattapan
Fender Stratocaster
Like the Thrifty Drugs in Santa An'
Fender Fender Fender
Well the sound is thin and the sound is cheap
Like a tin can falling on a dead end street
Fender Stratocaster, well there's something about that sound.

(Guitar)

Well how can it sound so tough?
Fender Stratocaster
And it's made to be treated rough.
Fender Fender Fender
It's got the ancient Egyptian script
Fender Stratocaster
It's got the wang bar from the crypt.
Fender Fender Fender
Oh you should have known it right off the bat
One look and you know it would sound like that
Fender Stratocaster, well there's something about that sound.

Like gasoline in the sand
Fender Stratocaster
Like a motorcycle at a hotdog stand
Fender Fender Fender
Like the Dunkin Donuts in Matapan(?)
Fender Stratocaster
Like the Thrifty Drugs in Santa An'
Fender Fender Fender
Oh and the sound so thin it's barely there
Like a bitchy girl who just don't care
Fender Stratocaster, well there's something about that sound.

Like Woo Woo Ginsberg at the juke box joint
You hear the sound and you get the point.
Fender Stratocaster, well there's something about that sound.
Oh Oh Oh Alright, etc.