Greased Lightnin'

Album

Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture

Label

RSO Records

Genre

Stage & Screen

Composer(s)

Warren Casey;Jim Jacobs

Entered Chart

Sep 30, 1978

Peak Date

Oct 28, 1978

Released

1978 1999 (re-release)

Recorded

1977

Catalog #

RSO 909

B-Side

"Sandy"

Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey wrote "Greased Lightnin'" for Kenickie and the T-Birds to sing while they dream of fixing up his rundown car, but Danny (John Travolta) took the lead in the 1978 film at Travolta's request. The single was a much bigger hit in the UK, where it peaked at #11. Jeff Conaway, who played Kenickie in the movie, injured his back during the sequence, leading to an addiction to painkillers that would follow him for the rest of his life. In one shot, Travolta is shown rubbing plastic wrap over his crotch - a sly sexual reference to beat the censors. Back in the '50s, many misinformed teens tried to use Saran Wrap as a contraceptive when they were unable to buy condoms. In high school productions (and in the 2016 Fox live adaptation), the lyrics are modified for young ears: "The chicks will scream" (not "cream") "She's a real dragon wagon" (not "pussy wagon")

Why this car is automatic
It's systematic
It's hydromatic
Why it's grease lightning (grease lightning)

We'll get some overhead lifters, then some four barrel quads, oh yeah
(Keep talking, whoa, keep talking)
A fuel injection cutoff and chrome plated rods, oh yeah
(I'll get the money, I'll kill to get the money)
With a four speed on the floor they'll be waiting at the door
You know that ain't no shit, we'll be getting lots of tit
Grease Lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning, go grease lightning)
Go grease lightning you're coasting through the heat lap trials
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme, the chicks'll cream for grease lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

We'll get some purple fringe tail lights and thirty inch fins, oh yeah
(Ooh)
A Palomino dashboard and duel muffler twins, oh yeah
(Ooh)
With new pistols, plugs, and shocks, I can get off my rocks
You know that I ain't bragging, she's a real pussy wagon
Grease lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning, go grease lightning)
Go grease lighting you're coasting through the heat lap trials
(Grease lightning, go grease lightning)
You are supreme, the chicks'll cream for grease lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning, go grease lightning)
Go, go grease lighting you're coasting through the hit lap trials
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme, the chicks'll cream for grease lightning
Lightning, lightning, lightning
Lightning, lightning, lightning, lightning
Lightning