Will Callahan (1874–1946) and the music composed by Indiana musician Paul Pratt (1890–1948).

The song asks a series of questions—What is it keep this world of ours a-going?

What is the precious thing for which we're blowing each blessed dollar of our weekly pay?

etc.—which it answers in the chorus: Written in 2/4 time, the song is set to the tempo of Moderato marcia.

"Gasoline" is one of the songs the National Museum of American History includes in its collection, America on the Move.