Rhythm n Blues

The song was written by Mack Rice and first recorded by him in 1965. The song began as joke when singer Della Reese wanted a new Ford Mustang. Rice titled the song “Mustang Mama,” but Aretha Franklin, when she heard it, recommended “Mustang Sally.” Rick’s recording went to #15 on the U.S. R&B Chart in 1965. Then, in 1966, Wilson Pickett recorded it. His version was released as a single and on his 1966 album The Wicket Pickett. Pickett’s cover went to #6 on the U.S. R&B Chart, #23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #4 in Canada, and #28 in the U.K. Rolling Stone magazine has Pickett’s version on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. There have been many other covers, including those by The Young Rascals, The Coasters, John Lee Hooker, and David Lee Roth.

Wilson Pickett was born in Prattville, Alabama. He was a pioneer of R&B and soul music. Some of his popular songs are “In the Midnight Hour,” “Land of 1000 Dances,” and “Funky Broadway.”

Here are the lyrics to “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett:

“Mustang Sally uh-huh
Guess you better slow your Mustang down
Oh Lord what I said now

Mustang Sally now baby
Oh Lord guess you better
Slow your Mustang down hu-oh yeah

You been runnin’ all over town now
Oh I guess I have to put your flat feet
On the ground Huh! what I said now

Listen
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
Ride Sally ride
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
Ride Sally ride
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
Ride Sally ride huh
All you wanna do is a ride around Sally
Alright ride Sally ride
Well listen to this

One of these early mornins
Hey Wow! gonna be wipin’ your weepin’ eyes
Huh! what I said now-look-a-here

I bought you a brand new Mustang
A nineteen sixty-five huh
Now you come around
Signifyin’ a woman
That don’t wanna let me ride

Mustang Sally now baby oh Lord
Guess you better slow that Mustang down
Huh! oh Lord! Look here
You been runnin’ all over town
Oow
I got to put your flat feet on the ground
Huh! what I said now hey-a
Let me say it one more time y’all

Now all you wanna do is ride around Sally
Ride Sally huh! ride
All you wanna do is ride around Sally
Ride Sally ride
All you wanna”

For another song by Wilson Pickett: “Funky Broadway.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett.