About The Song
“Lord, Mr. Ford” is a satirical country song by Jerry Reed, released in May 1973 as the lead single and title track from his RCA Records album. Written by Deena Kaye Rose (credited as Dick Feller), the 3:17 track became Reed’s second of three No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, topping it for one week in August 1973 and charting for 13 weeks. It also peaked at No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 52 on Cash Box, and No. 32 on the Adult Contemporary chart, per YouTube and Wikipedia. The song humorously critiques the automobile’s impact on American life, lamenting how Henry Ford’s “simple horseless carriage” became a complex, costly, and polluting necessity. Reed’s spoken-word delivery, paired with upbeat country instrumentation, creates a conversational tone, as AllMusic notes: “It’s Reed at his storytelling best, blending wit with social commentary.” Reed shared in a 1974 Rolling Stone interview, “Dick Feller brought me this song, and I knew it was a hit—folks were already fed up with gas prices and car troubles.”
Recorded on January 9, 1973, at RCA’s Nashville studio, the track was produced by Chet Atkins and Reed, with musicians like Paul Yandell (guitar), Hal Rugg (steel guitar), and Hargus “Pig” Robbins (piano), per Discogs. The arrangement—lively guitar riffs, steady percussion, and subtle harmonica—complements Reed’s playful yet biting narrative, aligning with the era’s country-rock fusion. Taste of Country describes it as “a time capsule of 1970s frustrations, with Reed’s charisma carrying every line.” The album reached No. 12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The song’s D-G-A chord progression and catchy refrain, “Lord, Mr. Ford, I just wish that you could see,” per UltimateGuitar, made it radio-friendly. A 1995 remaster on The Essential Jerry Reed and a 2023 YouTube upload by RCA Records keep it accessible, per Spotify.
Jerry Reed Hubbard (March 20, 1937–September 1, 2008), born in Atlanta, Georgia, was a country singer, guitarist, songwriter, and actor known for hits like “Amos Moses” (1970) and “East Bound and Down” (1977), the latter co-written with Feller for Smokey and the Bandit. Wikipedia highlights his three Grammy Awards, including Best Country Instrumental Performance (1970), and 2017 Country Music Hall of Fame induction. “Lord, Mr. Ford” was a staple on Hee Haw, with a spirited September 1973 performance featuring dancers Misty Rowe and Lisa Todd, per Outsider. Dick Feller covered it in 1973, per SecondHandSongs. Reddit users on r/country in 2024 praised its “clever lyrics,” while an X post called it “a hilarious take on car culture.” My Kind of Country notes: “It’s a perfect match for Reed’s quirky style, a standout in his catalog.”
The song’s inspiration, per Musician Wages, stemmed from Feller’s observations of rising car dependency and environmental concerns amid the 1973 oil crisis. It resonated with audiences facing gas shortages, as No Depression observes: “Reed turned frustration into a chart-topper with universal appeal.” While not featured in major films, it thrives on Spotify and Smule karaoke, with Shazam users tagging its distinctive intro. No major controversies surround it, but an original lyric using “bitch” was changed to “trick” for radio, per Wikipedia. “Lord, Mr. Ford” remains a witty milestone, showcasing Reed’s storytelling and cultural insight.
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Lyric
Well, if you’re one of the millions who own one of them gas-drinking, piston-clanking, air-polluting, smoke-belching, four-wheeled buggies from Detroit City, then pay attention
I’m about to sing your song, sonWell, I’m not a man appointed judge
To bear ill will and hold a grudge
But I think it’s time I said me a few choice words
All about that demon automobile
A metal box with the Polyglas wheel
The end result of the dream of Henry FordWell, I’ve got a car that’s mine alone
That me and the finance company own
A ready-made pile of manufactured grief
And if I ain’t out of gas in the pouring rain
I’m a-changin’ a flat in a hurricane
I once spent three days lost on a cloverleafWell, it ain’t just the smoke and the traffic jam
That makes me the bitter fool I am
But this four-wheel buggy is a-dollarin’ me to death
For gas and oils and fluids and grease
And wires and tires and antifreeze
And them accessories, well, honey, that’s something elseLord, Mr. Ford, I just wish that you could see
What your simple horseless carriage has become
Well, it seems your contribution to man
To say the least, got a little out of hand
Lord, Mr. Ford, what have you done
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