Even Bob Lutz Hates "The Volt Song"

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The first time we posted the video for They Might Be Giants’ song “Electric Car,” TTAC commentator rollosrevenge noted:

I love EVs and am pretty fond of They Might be Giants, but that was the one of the most annoying songs accompanied by the one of the stupidest music videos ever. It belongs as the theme song/video for the Volt.

And guess what? If Bob “Chrome” Lutz had his way, it could have been.

Greencarreports.com explains

former marketing chief Bob Lutz wanted to license the song “Electric Car,” by whimsical rock group They Might Be Giants.

Lutz passed the song along to Chevrolet Marketing, the folks who are now responsible for promoting the 2011 Volt to target buyers and the public at large. What happened?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

He wasn’t overruled; we heard he was simply ignored. Chevrolet Marketing seemingly felt it could do better. Just like at the old GM, the one that went bankrupt, where everything generated inside the company was by definition better than anything from outside.

Like “Electric Car,” which is is off of TMBG’s third educational album “ Here Comes Science,” the Volt song and accompanying dance number that GM commissioned to promote the Volt was aimed at children. Still, rhyming “adventure” with “pressure” and “it’s so simple like a dimple, plug it in and see” is insulting to the intelligence of children of any age. Besides, telling kids the Volt “could make a cleaner world, the greener car that powers itself” and “charge the car right in your home, it costs next to nothing, it’s cheaper than your phone” isn’t educational, it’s just irresponsible. In contrast “Electric Car” captures the ambivalence towards alternative-energy powertrains perfectly with the line “electric car, so good so far.” Lutz was right about this one.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Mhadi Mhadi on Dec 17, 2009

    Nice. I like it. And the video too.

  • Zarba Zarba on Dec 17, 2009

    TMBG. even with their (annoying to me) politics, have long had very inventive lyrics and videos. And my kids love 'em. Why would anyone let their kids listen to Barney or The Wiggles when TMBG are available?

  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
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