Car songs abound in American history
but few have achieved the cult status of this bubble-gum balled about the
race between a Cadillac and a little Nash Rambler. The Playmates' Beep, Beep,
released on Roulette Records, entered the Billboard charts top 40 on June
9, 
1958,
made it to number 4, and stayed in the top 40 for 12 weeks. Play it on a jukebox
today and you are almost sure to get an instant sing-along.
Less sure in the memory banks is what actually inspired the song. An internet
search found one posting that thought it was a tribute to the super fast 1957
Rebel; another thought it was about the Metropolitan (never called a Rambler);
most just remember it as a catchy tune about the little Ramblers of the early
fifty's. Used to be there was a link where you could hear the song on the
Internet, no more...
Pop suspects some site owner got a cease and desist letter from a record
company lawyer.
Here are the lyrics.
Beep Beep
Beep beep - beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
While riding in my Cadillac
What to my surprise
A little Nash Rambler was following me
About one-third my size
The guy must have wanted to pass me out
As he kept on tooting his horn
I'll show him that a Cadillac
Is not a car to scorn
Beep beep - beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
I pushed my foot down to the floor
To give the guy the shake
But the little Nash Rambler stayed right behind
He still had on his brake
He must have thought his car had more guts
As he kept on tooting his horn
I'll show him that a Cadillac
Is not a car to scorn
Beep beep - beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
My car went in to passing gear
And we took off with gust
And soon we were doing ninety
Must have left him in the dust
When I peeked in the mirror of my car
I couldn't believe my eyes
The little Nash Rambler was right behind
I think that guy could fly
Beep beep - beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
Now we're doing a hundred and ten
This certainly was a race
For a Rambler to pass a Caddy
Would be a big disgrace
The guy must have wanted to pass me out
As he kept on tooting his horn
I'll show him that a Cadillac
Is not a car to scorn
Beep beep - beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
Now we're doing a hundred and twenty
As fast as I could go
The Rambler pulled alongside of me
As if we were going slow
The fellow rolled down his window
And yelled for me to hear
Hey buddy, how can I get this car
Out of second gear!