About the Song
“Steamroller Blues,” also known as “Steamroller,” is a blues parody written by James Taylor, featured on his 1970 album “Sweet Baby James.” The song was created as a satire, mocking the inauthentic blues bands of that era.
The origin of the song can be traced back to Taylor’s experiences in the Village during the Flying Machine days, where he became fed up with what he perceived as pretentious white blues bands. To express his critique, he wrote “Steamroller” as a humorous take on the exaggerated styles of these bands. The track was recorded in one night at Sunset Studios, with Taylor and Danny Kortchmar playing electric guitars. Despite Taylor’s head cold, budget constraints, and time limitations, the recording session was completed, resulting in the song.
Elvis Presley adopted “Steamroller Blues” into his concert repertoire during the 1970s and included it in his live album “Aloha from Hawaii: Via Satellite.” The live version of the song from this album was also released as a single in March 1973, with “Fool” as the B-side. The single achieved success, reaching number 17 on the Billboard U.S. pop singles chart, number 10 on the Cash Box top pop singles chart, and number 16 on the Record World singles chart. The song became part of Presley’s compilation “The Essential Elvis Presley” in 2007.
In 2015, a newly orchestrated version of “Steamroller Blues” was included on the album “If I Can Dream” with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Notably, this song marked Elvis Presley’s last three entries at number 1 on a major charting format. The “Aloha From Hawaii” double LP, featuring the live version of “Steamroller Blues,” peaked at number 1 on the Billboard and Cash Box Albums Charts, while the single itself topped the Record World Single Chart. Record World described it as “a lively interpretation of the James Taylor tune [that] should roll up sales quickly and say ‘aloha’ to the charts.”
Video
Lyrics
I’m a steamroller baby
I’m ’bout to roll all over you
I’m a steamroller baby
I’m ’bout to roll all over you
I’m gonna inject your soul
With some sweet rock ‘n’ roll
I’m a cement mixer
A churning urn of burning funk
I’m a cement mixer
A churning urn of burning funk
I’m a demolition derby
A hefty hunk, steaming junk
I’m a steamroller baby
I’m ’bout to roll all over you
I’m a steamroller baby
I’m ’bout to roll all over you
I’m gonna inject your soul
With some sweet rock ‘n’ roll
And shoot you full of rhythm and blues
I’m a napalm bomb
Guaranteed to blow your mind
I’m a napalm bomb
Guaranteed to blow your mind
If I can’t have your love now baby
There won’t be nothing left behind