Race With The Devil – Gene Vincent vs The Gun

Same Title, Different Song (Plus great versions)

I  poor
II  average
III  good
IV  very good
V  excellent
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“Race With the Devil“/”Gonna Back Up Baby” (Capitol F3530 US) (9/10/56) (Capitol 45-CL 14628 UK), No. 96 – Gene Vincent

Well I’ve led an evil life, so they say But I’ll out run the devil on judgement day, I said Move, hot-rod, move man! Move, hot-rod, move man!Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah! Well me and the devil, at a stop light He started rollin’, I was out of sight, I said Move, hot-rod, move man! Move, hot-rod, move man! Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah! Well, goin’ pretty fast, looked behind A-hear come the the devil doin’ ninety-nine, I said Move, hot-rod, move man! Move, hot-rod, move man!Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah! (Let’s drag now) Well thought I was smart, the race was wonA-hear come the devil doin’ a-hundred and one Move, hot-rod, move man! Move, hot-rod, move man! Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line (Let’s drag again) Well, goin’ pretty fast,looked behindA-hear come the the devil doin’ ninety-nine, I saidMove, hot-rod, move man!Move, hot-rod, move man!Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line, oh yeah!Well I’ve led an evil life, so they sayBut I’ll hide from the devil on judgement day, I saidMove, hot-rod, move man!Move, hot-rod, move man!Move hot-rod, move me on down the the line.

Gene Vincent–most famous for his classic 1950s rendition of “Be-Bop-A-Lula”–is one of the most influential rock and roll artists of all times. Elvis Presley adopted his loose-hipped style, and bands from The Rolling Stones to The Beatles toured Britain with him throughout the fifties and early sixties. Led Zepplin‘s Robert Plant lauds Vincent as his favorite vocalist of all time, Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck claims Vincent is the reason he played music, and Paul Westerberg of the Replacements calls him “the soul of Rock and Roll.” But beyond his undeniable musical importance lay a man with an almost pathological personality whose creative talents and volatile temper never failed–for better or for worse–to touch those around him. Elvis Presley, with his suggestive gyrations, was disturbing to mainstream America in the 50s. Gene Vincent, with his earthy lyrics, moans and pants, and full-on bodily contortions was downright shocking.

Musicanship: III
Vocals: III
Emotions: IIIII
Lyrics: III
Outstanding instrument: Guitar

Some words: “It’s only Rock and Roll but I’ll out run the devil on judgement day”

Final Score: XIV

Version by “The Stray Cats“

Race With The Devil – The Gun (1968)

You better run (3x)
from the devil’s gun

the race is on, (2x)
so you better run
from the devil’s gun.

Strange things happen
If you stay
The devil will
Catch you anyway
He’ll seek you here
He’ll seek you there
The devil will
Seek you everywhere.

When he finds you,
Soon find out
the devil’s fire
Just won’t go out
He burns you up
from head to toe.
The devil’s grip
Just won’t let go.

The Gun was a late 1960s British rock guitar trio who had a single British Top Ten hit, “Race With The Devil” and recorded two albums before disbanding. Two of its founders, brothers Paul Gurvitz  and Adrian Gurvitz, later took the name Three Man Army recording 3 albums and then, after joining up with Ginger Baker, the Baker Gurvitz Army. recorded three albums, Baker Gurvitz Army, Elysian Encounter & Hearts On Fire, during the same time the Gurvitz brothers recorded 2 albums with Graeme Edge (Moody Blues) drummer Kick Off Your Muddy Boots and Paradise Ballroom under the name of the Graeme Edge Band. This was not a touring band it also featured Ginger Baker.

Musicanship: IIII
Vocals: III
Emotions: IIII
Lyrics: III
Outstanding instrument: Vocals, Guitar

Some Words: “Amazing Hard Rock”

Final Score: XIV