About The Song
“Cadillac Style” is a song written by Mark Petersen and recorded by American country music artist Sammy Kershaw. It was released in October 1991 as the lead single from his debut album Don’t Go Near the Water on Mercury Records. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and No. 3 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada, marking Kershaw’s introduction to the country music scene. The track was recorded in Nashville during a session produced by Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson, with Kershaw initially reluctant to cut it.
The recording session took place under unique circumstances. When Cannon first presented Kershaw with a rough demo, Kershaw reportedly said, “You’re crazy, I ain’t cutting that. That’s terrible,” according to an account from the production team. However, Cannon persuaded him to record it in the last 15 minutes of the booked session for the album. The quick take turned out to be a success, with Kershaw later expressing satisfaction with the result. The arrangement features a lively country sound with steel guitar and a driving rhythm, highlighting Kershaw’s vocal delivery. The song runs 2:56 on the album and single versions.
The lyrics focus on a narrator who lacks material wealth, mentioning “mules up the pike and my car’s an old relic” and “Chevrolet pay,” but finds joy in his partner’s affection, described as “Cadillac style.” The song includes playful references to celebrities like Burt Reynolds and Tom Selleck, contrasting the narrator’s modest life with his rich emotional connection. Don’t Go Near the Water, released on January 1, 1992, went on to achieve platinum status, with additional singles like “Don’t Go Near the Water” and “Yard Sale” also charting in the Top 20.
The music video was directed by Steve Boyle and released to promote the single, featuring Kershaw in a rural setting that complements the song’s narrative. The video’s low-budget charm became a talking point, with some describing it as one of the best inexpensive videos of its time. The song was issued in multiple formats, including a 1991 vinyl single with “Harbor for a Lonely Heart” as the B-side, and later appeared on compilations like The Definitive Collection (2004).
The track was part of Kershaw’s early career push, following his move back to Louisiana after years on the honky-tonk circuit. It helped establish him as part of the new traditionalist wave in country music during the early 1990s, setting the stage for hits like “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful.” The song’s recording also included contributions from session musicians, though specific credits are limited to the production team.
Video
Lyric
Well, I ain’t Burt Reynolds and I ain’t Tom Selleck
I got mules up the pike and my car’s an old relic
I get Chevrolet pay but I got a big smile
‘Cause my little baby loves me Cadillac styleWell I don’t have a condo in Panama City
You could say I’m a member of the poor boy committee
But I kinda’ feel rich when I’ve been with her awhile
‘Cause my little baby loves me Cadillac styleWell about ten-thirty Lord she puts me in drive
Turns all the lights down and man alive
All eight cylinders are firin’ in line
Never out of gas and I’m always on timeWell I ain’t Goldfinger and I ain’t Joe Fashion
And you can’t buy much with the checks I’m cashin’
So people if you wonder why I’m ridin’ with a smile
It’s ’cause my little baby loves me Cadillac styleWell about ten-thirty Lord she puts me in drive
Turns all the lights down and man alive
All eight cylinders are firin’ in line
Never out of gas and I’m always on timeWell I ain’t Goldfinger and I ain’t Joe Fashion
And you can’t buy much with the checks I’m cashin’
So people if you wonder why I’m ridin’ with a smile
It’s ’cause my little baby loves me Cadillac styleYeah my little baby loves me Cadillac style
Yeah my little baby loves me Cadillac style
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