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The Apologue of Hot Rod Duncan

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The Apologue of Hot Rod Duncan
Joe Hawley Joe Hawley Cover.png
Written by Joe Hawley
Appears on Joe Hawley Joe Hawley
Sung by Ross Federman, Joe Hawley
Genre Folk
Language English


The Apologue of Hot Rod Duncan is a song by Joe Hawley. It features the second documented case of Ross Federman singing lead vocals on a studio recording, with Mucka Blucka being the first.

History

In an interview with Pledgemusic, Joe Hawley said the chord progression to the song existed in his head since middle school, but he struggled with the first verse. The idea to make a song about Hot Rod Duncan also existed for years, but the two would never combine until a walk back from his local library.[1]

On February 15th 2018, a demo version with alternate lyrics was uploaded to Joe Hawley's YouTube Page[2]

Trivia

  • The vocal sample at the end appears to be from the 1973 production of Charlotte's Web.
  • Hot Rod Duncan is Ross Federman's doppelganger, created in the South by Southwest 2007 video.[3]
  • On an episode of Tree Town Sound Ross revealed that Hot Rod Duncan is one of his son's favourite [songs].[4]

Lyrics

In an amblin' van lived a banjo man 
and his name was Hot Rod Duncan
He didn't know why they called him that 
but he just went along with it

Hot Rod Duncan always felt ashamed
Hot Rod Duncan didn't know his name

(Poor Hot Rod)

Now Hot Rod had a savvy dad 
who died for the business part
The instrument was relevant 
as long as it played like art

Hot Rod Duncan di'n't know how to string it
Hot Rod Duncan opted just to wing it

(Oh well)

Soon Hot Rod was the best because 
he traveled well and wise
The van was actually 
an electric spaceship in disguise

Hot Rod Duncan hail'd from the Appalachians
Hot Rod Duncan transcend'd global nations

(Yee-ha)

(Go, Hot Rod. Take it, Hot Rod.)
(He said take it.)
(What's the matter, can't take it? You gotta remember to string up that banjo. I tell you what.)

One time he flew his banjo to 
the planet Jupiter
Among the rife intelligent life 
he managed to locate her

Hot Rod Duncan found his unicorn
Hot Rod Duncan: magically reborn

Eventually he came to see 
the banjo was his friend
He help'd that girl to spacey whirls
she learn'd him how to bend

Hot Rod Duncan strung that banjo well
Hot Rod Duncan played it purty swell

(You know what I'm talkin' 'bout?)

When Hot Rod came to know his name
he returned to planet Earth
and this is where (by just a hair) 
he finally glean'd his worth

Hot Rod Duncan: legend in his time
Hot Rod Duncan reasond with a rhyme

(They adopted a dog named Cloister)

The he and she would guarantee
a gleeful galaxy
They were so happy he phoned her pappy
and the rest is history

Tabs/Chords

Nothing here yet!

Personnel

Music & Lyrics: Joe Hawley
Vocals: Ross Federman, Joe Hawley
Acoustic Guitar: Joe Hawley
Melodica: Joe Hawley
Banjo: Anthony Vittorio
Upright Bass: Anthony Vittorio

References

Joe Hawley Joe Hawley
Joe Hawley Joe Hawley Cover.png
1. Joe Hawley Attacks
2. Black People White People
3. Bring Her Along
4. Crazy F****
5. Rotary Park
6. Your Mother is a Basketball
7. Hoodz 'n the Woodz
8. The Apologue of Hot Rod Duncan
9. Aristotle's Denial (reversed on streaming services)
10. Bahamian Rap City
11. We Are In Space
12. Go To Bed
13. White Rabbit (not present on streaming services)