Peak
47
Weeks
8
Score
482
Chart Year
1978
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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
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 30, 1978 | 73 | 53 |
| 2 | Oct 7, 1978 | 63 | 63 |
| 3 | Oct 14, 1978 | 54 | 72 |
| 4 | Oct 21, 1978 | 49 | 77 |
| 5 | Oct 28, 1978 | 47 | 79 |
| 6 | Nov 4, 1978 | 98 | 28 |
| 7 | Nov 11, 1978 | 98 | 28 |
| 8 | Nov 18, 1978 | 98 | 28 |