About The Song
For sure, Joe Diffie has more reasons to celebrate Christmas that early since 1994. Each year, he looks forward to remembering the gift he received on December 17, 1994. Today marks the 24th year since the singer earned his long-lasting No. 1 hit “Pickup Man.” Written by Howard Perdew and Kerry Kurt Phillips, the song was released in October 1994 as the second single on his album Third Rock from the Sun. The “A Night to Remember” singer scored a total of five No. 1 hits throughout his renowned career. However, “Pickup Man” remains his most successful record to date. It stayed atop the country chart for four consecutive weeks.
Set to a moderate up-tempo beat, “Pickup Man” narrates the story of a man’s affection toward his pickup truck. He strongly believed that driving it would make him meet the woman of his dreams. In fact, the song’s lyrics clearly indicated how the protagonist has always won over women. His first win happened when he was still a kid:
Well, I got my first truck when I was three
Drove a hundred thousand miles on my knees
I hauled marbles and rocks and thought twice before
I hauled a Barbie doll bed for the girl next door
She tried to pay me with a kiss and I began to understand
There’s something women like about a pickup man
When the narrator turned 16, he had the chance to secure a ride for Bobbie Joe Gentry, a high school homecoming queen. At this point, the song seems to imply two things: the man not only drives a pickup truck but also picks up women in it.
I was cruisin’ the town and the first girl I see
Is Bobbie Joe Gentry, the homecoming queen
She flagged me down and climbed up in the cab
And said “I never knew you were a pickup man!”
“Pickup Man” offered some help in setting the standard for upbeat, rock-influenced country music. But more than that, the song was able to capture the winning humor and honky tonk style of Joe Diffie. Perhaps many of you would agree that this funny song is the best that a real flexible artist could ever make. In effect, the song’s music video vividly displayed the elements of fun and fantasy.
Video
Lyrics
Well, I got my first truck, when I was three
Drove a hundred thousand miles on my knees
Hauled marbles and rocks, and thought twice before
I hauled a Barbie Doll bed for the girl next door
She tried to pay me with a kiss and I began to understand
There’s just something women like about a Pickup Man
When I turned 16, I saved a few hundred bucks
My first car was a Pickup Truck
I was cruisin’ the town and the first girl I seen
Was Bobbie Jo Gentry, the homecoming queen
She flagged me down and climbed up in the cab, and said
“I never knew you were a Pickup Man!”
You can set my truck on fire, roll it down a hill
But I still wouldn’t trade it for a Coupe DeVille
I got an eight-foot bed that never has to be made
You know if it weren’t for trucks, we wouldn’t have tailgates
I met all my wives in traffic jams
There’s just something women like about a Pickup Man
Most Friday nights, I can be found
In the back of my truck on an old chaise lounge
Backed into my spot at the drive-in show
You know a cargo light gives off a romantic glow
I never have to wait in line at the popcorn stand
There’s just something women like about a Pickup Man
You can set my truck on fire, roll it down a hill
But I still wouldn’t trade it for a Coupe DeVille
I got an eight-foot bed that never has to be made
You know if it weren’t for trucks, we wouldn’t have tailgates
I met all my wives in traffic jams
There’s just something women like about a Pickup Man
A bucket of rust, or a brand-new machine
Once around the block and you’ll know what I mean
You can set my truck on fire, roll it down a hill
But I still wouldn’t trade it for a Coupe DeVille
I got an eight-foot bed that never has to be made
You know if it weren’t for trucks, we wouldn’t have tailgates
I met all my wives in traffic jams
There’s just something women like about a Pickup Man
You know there’s something women like about a Pickup Man