Studebaker is a song by Warren Zevon first released as a performance by his son Jordan Zevon on the 2005 tribute album Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon. A demo take recorded by Warren was released on the 2007 compilation album Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings, and Jordan's version was released as part of his 2008 album, Insides Out.
About the Song[]
The song describes a young and not well travelled "no prospects" man and his fight to keep his Studebaker car running. He spent all his money on the car but soon grows to regret it. His simple wish to see his friend in Fresno is halted when his manifold starts to smoke and he breaks his axle after going off the shoulder of the road. The song further describes his misery, comparing himself to a lone leaf fighting to stay affixed to a tree in a wind storm and noting he only has so much vodka left to comfort him.
Lyrics[]
Note: the text of this song's lyrics is not under the same copyright license as the wiki's encyclopedic text, it is used under fair use/dealing.
I left my home in Monterey, just another no prospects man,
Who'd rather work in the foundry than put fishes in a can.
I'm twenty-five but I haven't travelled far,
And I've spent all my money on this misbegotten car.
And I'm up against it all like a leaf against the wind,
And this damn Studebaker keeps on breaking down again.
This Studebaker keeps on breaking down again.
I thought I'd go to Fresno, see my friend.
This damn Studebaker keeps on breaking down again.
I was speeding south on ninety-nine when the manifold started smokin',
I ran her off the shoulder and now the axle's broken.
It made a sound that cracked my heart in half,
With less then half a half pint of vodka left.
I'm up against it all like a leaf against the wind,
And this Studebaker keeps on breaking down again
This Stud…(recording cuts off)
Alternate Lyrics[]
The alternate lyrics recorded by Jordan Zevon found on the albums Enjoy Every Sandwich: Songs of Warren Zevon and Insides Out:
"And" is often removed from the beginning of lines.
"I'd rather work in the foundry than put fishes in a can."
"I'm 35 and I haven't travelled far."
"My Studebaker keeps on breaking down again."
This alternate ending is featured on the song:
"I thought I'd go to Fresno just to see my friend,
But my damn Studebaker keeps on breaking down again.
My Studebaker keeps on breaking down again,
My Studebaker keeps on breaking down again,
I thought I'd go to Fresno just to see my friend,
But my damn Studebaker keeps on breaking down again."