With that title, I was helpless; I had to give it a try. I’m glad I did because it’s a great song and band. This is another band that was signed by Steve Earle on his E Squared Records label and another winner. What drew me in was the vocals. Not tight pop vocals but more like The Band’s loose style. I’ll also mention the intro that builds and builds.
Every now and then you run across a song title that makes you stop before you even hear the music. This song by 6 String Drag was one of those for me. The title immediately brings to mind hot rods, rock and roll, and the classic Chuck Berry song Maybellene. It turns out the music delivers exactly what the title promises. This song was released on the band’s 1997 album High Hat, the song mixed country, rockabilly, and roots rock into a sound that felt both old and new.
6 String Drag was formed in North Carolina and became one of the leading bands in the alt-country movement of the 1990s. While many groups in that scene leaned heavily into country influences, 6 String Drag never forgot the rock and roll side. This track is a perfect example. Driven by guitars, drums, and a stop-and-go format. It’s a great mixture of music that makes one.
The album High Hat was produced by Steve Earle, who recognized the band’s talent and helped bring them to a wider audience. Earle encouraged the group to embrace their love of traditional American music while keeping their own identity intact. The result was an album that blended country, rock, folk, and roots music in a way that sounded natural. This song became one of their signature songs and remains a favorite among fans of the band.
6 String Drag never achieved the huge commercial success of some of their contemporaries like Wilco and others. Songs like this show why they are still remembered by fans of Americana and alt-country. It has energy, great musicianship, and one of the coolest song titles you’ll ever hear.
If any of you are good at deciphering lyrics…could you fill in the ? in the lyrics? If so, please let me know, and I’ll fill it in. We will have the only complete lyrics to this song on the net!
Gasoline Maybelline
Soak me in gasoline
If you need more fire baby
I gave you everything it seems but me
Put me up higher than the tallest tree
I’ll come down baby then you’ll see
My broken knees please set me free
I can hold you [?] you
Oh come, don’t turn around
I’ll be gone
Go find somebody new
There’s nothing here for you
I gave you everything it seems but me
Take me down all the way to New Orleans
Leave me lying there on the street
I gave you everything it seems but me
I can hold you [?] you
Oh come, don’t turn around
I’ll be gone
Soak me in gasoline
If you need more fire baby
I gave you everything it seems but me
I gave you everything it seems but me
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I have to go with the studio version of this song, because they lacked energy playing live.
It wasn’t a great recording either…
I’ve listened several times now and it sounds like “I’m stuck onto you” but it can’t be that lol!
LOL….it probably sounds like a lot…or a similiar structure.
The studio version has a catchiness to it, can kind of hear Steve Earle in it, with a touch of Black Crowes perhaps
I love the vocals…those are the kind of vocals that remind me of Rick Danko
I don’t know if I hear that, honestly, but boy, The Band sure did start something didn’t they?
Yes the Band did start something…for me…they are the engineers of the alt country movement…
Dave…when I say the vocals are like Danko…what I mean is they are not like the vocals in…say…”Paperback Writer”…that tight harmony. It’s really loose…it sounds like they ad libbed and harmonized…no 3 part harmony…like a drunk sing along…except it sounds good lol.
I’m going to give the rest of the album a go just from what I heard on the take you posted. New to me but not anymore. I like it. Hear all sorts of influences but making their own sound.
Those vocals remind me of the Band…but like you said…a lot of influences. It’s different and different in a good way. They were ahead of the alt country curve.
Right off the bat I thought it was Tupelo/Wilco/Volt when they rock out.
I’m glad you like it. It does have that sound. Steve knew what he was doing with these bands
A very catchy sound to me. A tasty stew. I also like the way he sings.
Thanks for giving it a try! I liked it.
You’re welcome.
Yeah, there’s a decent dollop of the Band in the way the lyrics are delivered.. I get that Wilco-when-they-crank up feel too. Nice find Max. The ? line is hard to hear, I kind of hear- or more likely mishear- it as ‘I’m so in thrall to you’ but that doesn’t gell with the other lyrics. Someone will come up with the right words and then it’s ‘oh- duh! So obvious now I’ve heard it.”
I thought it was “I’m so cold to you” but I can’t tell. Yea…I’m hoping someone will say something…
I do like it though…it fits in with that 90s alt country…and I love that damn intro…it just keeps going and going…and building
That was pretty unique and distinctive. Never heard the name before.
Another one of Steve Earle’s bands he signed to his record label…This is the third one I’ve covered…they were worth checking out…for me.
6 String Drag is a new name to me. “Gasoline Maybelline” sounds cool and makes me curious to hear more from “High Hat” and that group. They sound right up my alley!
Dude…those bands that Earle signed…man they are really good!