1968 was a great year for truck driving songs:  “Big Rig Rolling Man” by Johnny Dollar,   “My Big Truck Driving Man” by Kitty Wells, “Gear Bustin’ Sort of Feller” by Bobby Braddock, “There Ain’t No Easy Run” by Dave Dudley, “I Want to Be a Truck Driver’s Sweetheart” by Marcie Dickerson, “The Truck Drivin’ Cat with Nine Wives” by Jim Nesbitt, “Somebody Stole My Rig” by Shel Silverstein … and “Truck Driver” by The Archies:

Written by legendary songwriter and Archies mastermind, Jeff Barry, “Truck Driver” was the B-side to “Bang-Shang-a-Lang” – The Archies’ debut 45 released in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Rhodesia (with “I’m in Love” replacing “Truck Driver” in Spain).

The rough, scratchy version featured here actually comes from a 12″  Archies compilation, Jingle Jangle, on the Kirshner label, that features fun cover art:

“It’s sunshine, love – the sparkle of young, spirited voices creating clean, pure fun with their music.  The comic-strip American characters, creations of John L. Goldwater, are bright, happy teen-agers and always have been.  As American as baseball, as popular on the international scene as jet travel and still as uncomplicated as a frisky puppy.  The Archies build up with good nature rather than tearing down with bitterness and disillusionment….

This has been the year of the Astronauts landing on the moon, the Mets, and the Archies.  Not only are all three sensational but each one holds a promise of more to come.  Have fun with the Archies.  Delight in the Jingle Jangle of their sound.” 

    Liner notes from back cover