George Wilson took the song to Shibley, who in turn took it to Bill McCall, owner of 4 Star Records in Pasadena, California.

[3] Released as Gilt-Edge 5021, and credited to Arkie Shibley and His Mountain Dew Boys, it became a national hit, staying on the charts for seven weeks, peaking at number five in 1951.

[4] More polished cover versions were soon recorded on major labels by Ramblin' Jimmie Dolan (Capitol), Red Foley (Decca), and Tiny Hill (Mercury).

[3] Shibley's record may have climbed higher and outpaced any of the others, but his second verse opened up with: Now along about the middle of the night We were ripping along like white folks might.

The guy in Mercury had nothing to say, For it was a kid, in a hopped-up Model A. Shibley recorded at least four follow-up songs, but they were much less successful.