Highway Song

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Highway Song" by Blackfoot from their 1979 album Strikes, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its soulful Southern rock energy. This driving rocker, written by Blackfoot's Rickey Medlocke and Jakson Spires, was inspired by a stretch of Route 81 heading north to New Jersey. In an interview with Songfacts, Medlocke shared that he penned the song's opening lines, "Another day, another dollar, after I've sang and hollered," while riding in the band's tour van near Winchester, Virginia. The song became Blackfoot's biggest hit, peaking at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, alongside their other Strikes single, "Train, Train," which hit #38. Fans on Songfacts have praised its relatability, with one commenter, Jaime from St. Louis, calling it "an excellent song that anyone who has traveled down the highways of life can relate to."

Another layer of trivia lies in the song's lyrical nods to Blackfoot's earlier work. The third verse references song titles from their first two albums, No Reservations (1975) and Flyin' High (1976), with lines like "Yes these big wheels are ready to roll" and "We've been flyin' high and so low." This clever self-referencing adds a personal touch for longtime fans. On X, a post from user @pieceofmind03 in 2024 highlighted the band's underappreciated status, noting that Highway Song Live, a live album featuring a powerful rendition of the track, is a must-listen for Southern rock lovers. The song's enduring appeal is also evident in fan reviews on Amazon, where listeners describe the live version as "magistral" and a standout piece for rock and metal enthusiasts.

Blackfoot began in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1970, evolving from a band called Fresh Garbage, named after a song by the psychedelic rock act Spirit. The original lineup featured Rickey Medlocke on drums and vocals, Greg T. Walker on bass, Charlie Hargrett on guitar, and Ron Sciabarasi on keyboards. They played local gigs at The Comic Book Club on Forsyth Street before adopting the name Blackfoot, reflecting the Native American heritage of members like Medlocke (Lakota Sioux and Blackfoot) and Spires (Cheyenne and Cherokee). Medlocke, raised by his bluegrass musician grandfather Shorty Medlocke, started performing at age three, mastering multiple instruments including banjo, guitar, and drums. After a brief stint with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1971, he reformed Blackfoot in 1972, taking on lead guitar and vocals. The band's breakthrough came with Strikes, recorded in 1979 at Al Nalli’s basement studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which went platinum and solidified their place in Southern rock history.

Fans can stay connected with Blackfoot through their Facebook page, where they share updates on tours and music, and their Instagram, which features throwback photos and live performance clips. On X, the band engages with fans and posts about their legacy, though they don’t have an official handle listed; searching "Blackfoot band" yields fan-driven content. For dedicated Zoo Freaks, the Blackfoot Fans Facebook group is a vibrant community where enthusiasts share memories, rare photos, and discussions about the band’s discography. While no standalone fan websites were found, the Amazon reviews section for Highway Song: Live serves as a virtual gathering spot for fans praising the band’s raw energy and timeless sound.