War – ‘Low Rider’

Take A Little Trip With Us!

I don’t know anyone who is immune to the charm of War’s ‘Low Rider’! Somehow it always makes me think of hot California summers and seeing low riders around my neighborhood, cruising along the beach. War wrote this cult classic in 1975 as part of their album Why Can’t We Be Friends? and it’s endured ever since!

‘Low Rider’ has been used in over 14 movies and covered by over 30 bands, including Carlos Santana!

What makes this song so special is how incredibly simple it is. ‘Low Rider’ features its signature driving bass line, which is present for nearly all of the song. It also ends with a siren-like noise that then becomes a saxophone solo. In fact, the beat was a complete and total accident!

Drummer Harold Brown’s Happy Accident, Explained:

“What happened on ‘Low Rider’ was in the studio, we were jamming, and I was supposed to have been on the downbeat. But all of the sudden I was on the upbeat. And I said, ‘Oh, boy. I got the beat turned around.’ I didn’t panic. I said, ‘Wait a minute. Stay there. Don’t change it. Stay.’ Because as long as you keep doing it over and over and over, it won’t be a mistake.”

+ Low Rider lyrics +

All my friends know the low rider
The low rider is a little higher

Low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer

Low rider knows every street, yeah
Low rider is the one to meet, yeah

Low rider don’t use no gas now
Low rider don’t drive too fast

Take a little trip, take a little trip
Take a little trip and see
Take a little trip, take a little trip
Take a little trip with me