About the song
Background of “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” by Alabama
- Release: The song was released in January 1984 as the title track for Alabama’s album of the same name. It was their 12th consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
- Songwriter: Dave Loggins wrote the song.
- Interesting tidbit: Some versions of the song include a CB radio call at the beginning that says “How about ya, Alabama, Roll On.” This call was actually recorded from a real CB transmission received by Alabama’s bus in the late 1970s.
Themes of “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)”
- Life of a truck driver: The song tells the story of a long-haul trucker who is constantly on the road, missing his family but determined to keep working to provide for them.
- Homesickness and longing: The lyrics express the trucker’s yearning for home and his loved ones.
- The importance of family: Despite the challenges of the job, the trucker remains dedicated to his family, who are his motivation for keeping going.
- The American trucker industry: The song pays homage to the important role truck drivers play in the American economy.
Overall, “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” is a relatable song that captures the struggles and triumphs of a blue-collar profession.
Video
Lyrics
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Roll on highway, roll on along Roll on, Daddy, “til you get back home Roll on family, roll on crew Roll on, Mama, like I asked you to do And roll on, eighteen-wheeler, roll onWell, it’s Monday morning
He’s kissin’ Mama goodbye He’s up and gone with the sun Daddy drives an eighteen-wheeler And he’s off on a Midwest run (you got it)And three sad faces gather ’round Mama
They ask her when Daddy’s comin’ home Daddy drives an eighteen-wheeler And they sure miss him when he’s gone (yeah, they do)Ah, but he calls them every night
And he tells them that he loves them He taught ’em this song to singRoll on highway, roll on along
Roll on, Daddy, ’til you get back home Roll on family, roll on crew Roll on, Mama, like I asked you to do And roll on, eighteen-wheeler, roll on (roll on)Well, it’s Wednesday evening
Mama’s waitin’ by the phone It rings, but it’s not his voice Seems the highway patrol has found a jackknifed rig In a snow bank in Illinois (that’s right)But the driver was missin’
And the search had been abandoned For the weather had everything stalled And they had checked all the houses and the local motels When they had some more news they’d call (that’s right)And she told them when they found him to tell him
That she loved him And she hung up the phone singin’Roll on highway, roll on along
Roll on, Daddy, ’til you get back home Roll on family, roll on crew Roll on, Mama, like I asked you to do And roll on, eighteen-wheeler, roll onMama and the children will be waiting up all night long
Thinkin’ nothing but the words just comin’ With the ringin’ of the telephone Oh, but the Man Upstairs was listening When Mama asked Him to bring Daddy homeAnd when the call came in
It was Daddy on the other end Askin’ her if she had been singin’ the song, singin’Roll on highway, roll on along
Roll on, Daddy, ’til you get back home Roll on family, roll on crew Roll on, Mama, like I asked you to do And roll on eighteen-wheelerRoll on highway, roll on along
Roll on, Daddy, ’til you get back home Roll on family, roll on crew Roll on, Mama, like I asked you to do And roll on, eighteen-wheeler, roll on (roll on)Eighteen-wheeler
Eighteen-wheeler Eighteen-wheeler Eighteen-wheeler Roll on