The Story Behind the Song: 'Riding With Private Malone'

Nashville Songwriters Association's Bart Herbison talks with songwriter Wood Newton about this hit record for David Ball

[@3DogsTite]

My son and I were building a truck together over the last few years. Mostly me as my son was living in another state. About a year ago he was killed and that was devastating as we lost his brother about 9 years before that. We received a little bit of insurance money from his death and I spent it on the final touches of the truck. I have been driving it for about 6 months now and there have been a few times that my son's presence was with me as I was going down the road. This song was special to me before my sons passing as I am a Viet Nam vet but to experience my boy in the seat next to me makes this song very special. Thank you for creating it.

[@oldgoat142]

Welcome home, Sir. Such a beautiful sentiment about your son. Be blessed and at peace.

[@stardust4225]

So sorry for your loss. Music can provide so much comfort. 🙏❤️✌️

[@billywebb696]

WHen I was stationed in Hawaii I used to jog near the base.... there was a car under a tarp in a garage i jogged by every day.. One day the house owner was in the garage and I stopped and asked what was under the tarp... a 67 corvette his son bought before he leff for Vietnam... 36 miles on it...

[@eddieshepherd4205]

Wow that's unreal

[@jimreilly917]

😲

[@liannevlasin8419]

I love anything that mentions patriotism, military, classic cars and you guys knocked it out of the park with Riding With Pvt Malone. Everytime it comes on my radio I crank it up as loud as I can and sing along, I even ride around the block if I'm close to home until the song ends. My dad was a retired Vietnam Vet and I know if he were still alive he would've loved the song too.

[@dennistaft7868]

I am a Marine Corps vet from the 80's and this song makes me cry like a school girl.

[@ravongoddessmontroy8168]

My daddy died on November 11 1969. Vietnam. I was two. He was a medic. This song makes me think of him..

[@jayatkinson1346]

Sorry for your lost Ravongoddess, prayers to you, and many thanks to your Daddy.

[@WalkerBait]

I bet he looks in you from time to time. A Father's Love can and does transend time, distance, and even physical death. God bless you dear. I am so sorry that you had to make such a huge sacrifice as a child. Wife's of soldiers know what the risks are, the soldiers know, but the small children of soldiers don't understand, or have a say.

[@randypurtteman1183]

Being a Vietnam vet this song brought back a lot of dark memories and I cried for over an hour afterwards. Not since the wall has that happened.

[@donnaspear8494]

Randy Purtteman I'm a 50 year old woman. I bawl every time I hear this song. I thought I was just a sissy, but now I know a lot of people cry when they listen to it.

[@stephb745]

Always makes me cry. Don't feel bad at all!

[@kennethmorgan4692]

Randy Purtteman thank you for your service randy purtteman

[@PegasusDreamer1]

Welcome Home Brother . I'm a SE Asian/Gulf War vet. I cry every time too.

[@didisalyers4460]

Hugs my friend! Thank you for your service.

[@2007cabinboy]

I am not a veteran, but this song has a great message for me. I have a deep respect and gratitude for all who have fought in any war, but particularly Vietnam. Thank you.

[@kback7758]

My brother was killed on leave from the Navy July 2, 1966. I lost my hero, my parents lost a son, and this country lost a dedicated member of the nuclear brigade. My service in the USAF was nothing more than me honoring my brother.

[@fly3po1]

So sorry for your losses, sir.

[@oldermusiclover]

I'm soo sorry had a brother who went to Nam and came home but had a classmate who went and never did

[@bjrnjordan4374]

Thank you for your service sir

[@blackcattrucking4907]

Powerful. Brought tears to this old vets eyes the first (and second) time I heard it.

[@maisies927]

I have always loved that song. I still listen to it today, August 2024.

[@FingersD]

Every time I hear this song, I stop what ever I am doing. I drift back to 1976, my year of graduation, I kick my self for not going into the services. I have been told that I would have been a great staff sargent in the cb's. I will always love this song mater what. That could have been me. Thank you to the men and women who gave all for our country.

[@therandomkidjustnice6096]

Im 13 and i love country music and how they tell stories like this but most kids like rappers so they look at me like I'm crazy

[@katelynlangerud9461]

the random kid ! just nice.I am 9 and love country music

[@tigerlilyswanson7476]

I know what you mean. I just turned 15 and the kids at school think I'm so weird

[@jayatkinson1346]

To the random kid, Katelynn, and tigerlily, listen to some 80's and older county, you won't be distressed. That is what music is. There is also a lot of 90's country. Don't worry, Country ain't dead until those who keep it alive are gone. Play it loud and be proud. Stay Country.

[@WalkerBait]

All music has a chance to tell a story, it's just that some artists do it better. I love country music, but I also enjoy some rap(the cussing kind however I really can't listen to), I also listen to classical, rock and roll, blues, some hard rock, bluegrass, I really like all good music. Don't get to wrapped up in the image of what you think your favorite music is, try it all, and I guarantee you will find alot of kinds of music that you enjoy.

[@geoffnelson64]

I'm 5 so that's pretty cool

[@PoBoyRacing80]

I Love this Song!!!! I grew up during the Vietnam war....n in elementary school one day...a girl I liked...was called out of the class room...no one knew why....then we all heard her scream and start crying....none of us knew what happened....later we found out her older brother nicknamed "Tex" had been killed in Vietnam. I went into the Army years later. But when I hear that song....it reminds me of those times....that poor little girl and the muscle cars of the day!!! Thank you for that song!!!!!

[@gabrielsaad2785]

Awesome song . Keep plain it over and over. Always thinking of the guys who never made it back. In my mind they still young.

[@dondrewry5955]

It still moves me today like the first time I heard it. Vietnam vet--several Pvt. Malones left behind. Love this song

[@dancahill9122]

I'll 2nd that Sir. Thank you for your service !

[@milespuckett392]

Being a Vietnam vet this could have been me ,i had a 63 vet at the time .

[@collettewhosthatgirl1330]

Bless you, thank you for your service❤

[@ldreese33]

Welcome home, sir

[@American001_offical]

Thank You for your service sir, you made America Proud

[@Robbie64]

I want to thank you I’m on active duty now (on charge of quarters at the moment haha) and I couldn’t even imagine the hell yall got coming back. Much respect to all of you and I’m sorry our country didn’t support and welcome all of you back.

[@bjrnjordan4374]

Thank you for your service sir

[@collettewhosthatgirl1330]

I ABSOLUTLY love this song! ❤❤❤❤.....it brought tears to my eyes.... thank you to all of you who have fought for our country, those who made it home, and those who didn't... much love,respect, and honor❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@REYALS-ur6wk]

Thankyou for your support :)

[@richardbush8380]

This song reminds me of my grandfather that I never met he died when my mom was 12.and it makes me cry when I hear it

[@angelmama1213]

I played this song for my son many years ago and now at 15 it is still his favorite song...he even "stole" my CD. Lol It's a very beautiful song

[@weaselsquigglepants2273]

My dad showed it to me when I was 15/16 as well, played it multiple times and told me to listen to the meaning. Now is one of my favorite country songs

[@johndaniels3827]

To the writer... This is a very sad but beautiful song its a meaningful song to me and everytime I think of it or hear it i keep everyone in mind that didn't make it back . my wife's dad was in nam he was out 6 months from his third tour and was driving around with his brother and was in a wreck that ended his life it was a very terrible accident .... So this song represents so many things for so many people its a beautiful song thank you

[@BabyTXGrl]

i love this song, it's amazing to hear the story behind it

[@maryjanedowns213]

I love this song because vi bought a car from a couple who's son who lost his life in desert Strom this remind me of itv

[@halfbreed3139]

I love this song, is one of my favorites for how it always bring back great memories of my friend who is from Nashville, SSgt Johnny Taylor. The sad part is, Johnny passed away on the flight line on American soil like we had wanted to if it was his time and we had talked about in our down time so far away from this country we both love. To this day I still miss my friend and love him, I hope I will never know not to feel this way. Thank y'al for this song.

[@davidpolizzo7175]

National icon is love throughout the United States because he touched the hearts of many , I am a 27 year veteran veteran and I know all my friends when I played it at the VFW, 90% of them were crying thank you very much my name is SSG Polizzo

[@FreeSpiritPressNews]

I am greatful to all of the Vietnam Veterans who have spoken up in this thread and I THANK YOU AND WELCOME YOU ALL HOME from the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran of the 101st Airborne 326 Med Battalion C Company

[@debrasavage2607]

I love it & I cry every time! It is awesome.

[@pacopeso8474]

I first heard this song back in 02' while working in a hardware store Florence Alabama. It really means a lot to people who lost someone in the war

[@eunicef333]

i cry everytime i hear it! love it!

[@leeannjohnson1808]

I get chills.

[@halfaddict]

I cried like a baby the first time I heard it.

[@luckyhero2517]

RyanHancock1000 crying doesn’t make you any less of a man because a true man knows when to let his emotions out and when to be strong

[@collettewhosthatgirl1330]

@@luckyhero2517 well said❤

[@WalkerBait]

I do too, I just have to make sure no one is around when I hear this song. No one except for my mom has ever seen me cry, and that was when I was 6.

[@romeow6112]

This guy won't let him talk quit cutting him off 😂

[@halfwayhousegarage2959]

I was about to say the same thing. That dude needs to shut up and let the talent tell the story.

[@corr1chevy]

Exactly right. What an over bearing JERK!!!

[@garymiller6594]

Totally agree. Too much interruption from the supposed interviewer. Shut up already!

[@ForexAlien]

This song chokes me up every time I hear it.

[@johnpaulbacon8320]

Great Video. Great song. Thank's for taking time to make this so we can connect with the song on a deeper level.

[@rbjanitorialprod]

Beautiful song and story

[@bw1357]

This song hits me every time I hear it

[@skimpysac420]

Awesome song never had a song yank tears from my eyes but it did thx to all u real vets

[@brandoncruise6398]

"Brothers in the Night" by Ray Kennedy is highly recommended. It's from a great movie named Uncommon Valor. "Lay Me Down" by Tim McGraw is also very good.

[@johnsain6384]

Josh Woodring . bun

[@johnsain6384]

Josh Woodring

[@bigpeppyk9]

Yep yanked out those tears, and put that lump in my throat

[@am983]

When this song came out, I was a PFC in the US Army at Fort Jackson.

[@silverstar4289]

Through the early seventies, the “war car” urban legend was very common- Old lady sells a corvette cheap. Her son was killed in Vietnam…… guy bought it cheap….. very low miles. I recall hearing it the first time. Recalling the loss of my brother , USAF. Victim of a drunk driver, just six months remaining in his obligation of service. We shared a Plymouth Roadrunner that we drove to the bus station for his trip to basic training.

[@killyourtelllievision]

I heard this song for the first time today, 12/29/19 and it gave me hard goosebumps (wachongee) throughout the entire song. As a veteran, I can appreciate all they sacrifice whether fictional or not. Too bad our out of control DOD has become a DOO (OFFENCE) cause these wars are killing the soul of We The People's Republic

[@TheBaldGuy612]

My older brother came home from Vietnam, was stationed at Ft Sill Oklahoma. Driving his 67 Chevelle one evening driving back to the base, got in a head on collision with a truck pulling a combine, spun around in the road then was hit again by a pickup truck. He spent a year in the hospital at Ft Sam Houston. He married one of the nurses and settled out west.

[@AndySalinger33]

Cool to hear him discuss the song structure. The lyrics are so great that sometimes the music doesn’t receive the props it deserves. This is a really clever song, musically. As he says, going to the 2m, 3m is daring and beautiful. And so utterly effective. It’s fitting he produced the track. Those minor changes are rendered so powerful with pedal steel. Haunting track. Awesome production! And it has a proper bridge! Bridges seem to be all but extinct in modern music. Isn’t it a pity? Cool interview and much obliged for conducting it and posting it. Mr. Wood Newton is in a league of his own. A true gentleman, too. Subscribed. Cheers.

[@robertcumming3071]

I first heard this song at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green sung by David Ball there. Later I met the songwriter Tom Shepherd at Legends Corner on Broadway in Nashville and asked him if the song was true and he said no it was just a fictional story

[@buckeye200175]

We grew up together Small town Ohio homes Twelve years in school Used to stay at his home Little league and high school sports He taught me to stay on a horse Corral cattle and chase a bull His quick wit entertained us all Was my calisthenics buddy During football We carried each other on our backs Building our legs from wall to wall You always knew when he Was coming down the hall Laughing and poking fun His best skill of all Joined the paratroopers Went off to war I knew he would not come home He always showed off to us all He was always funny and kind Be forever young in our minds Laughed at himself Teased others all the time Had the deepest dark eyes And a quick huge smile He went from kid to soldier And now on that Vietnam Wall Just one of thousands Sad stories all They gave their young lives So we can stand tall Every time I hear that song Riding with Private Malone Every time that tune makes a turn I am riding with , Sargent and friend Guy (Buddy) Fearn

[@dannybones399]

RIP

[@mbroughts2330]

I want you to know that in 1966 the principal at my elementary school of 40 had a son hurt in Vietnam and weeks later he passed. In those weeks his nephew in my class got brain cancer. Me and my maker had a meeting or two. I retired from the department of defense after 32 years and each of those deployments in combat I knew I was riding with Dick Malone. If your one of those 15 in 5th grade feel free to say hey, long since gone.

[@JimChagares]

Thank you, Mr. Newton.

[@reniehandler2595]

Imma not let you finish...........

[@negativefishermen9286]

Almost all of my favorite songs across multiple genres have been over 3 minutes

[@ebookpioneers]

Boy, all this time I thought David Ball wrote it. Great tune.

[@nicmackowey510]

I love that song

[@marciakerby9162]

Met Wood Newton tonite at Pucketts in Franklin. We love this song. So nice to know you now.

[@dankykang9527]

i was just out of the servis thumbing through the classifeds when an ad that said old chevy some how caught my eye the lady didnt know the year or even it ran but i had that thousand dollors in my hand it was way back in this ramshackle barn thirty years of dust and dirt on that green army tarp i dont know the rest 😅

[@Ryansanders80]

and when she pulled the cover off it took away my breath, what she called a chevey was a '66 corvette!, i felt a little guilty as i counted out the bills, but what a thrill i got when i sat behind the well, i opend up the glovebox and its when i found a note, the date was nineteen sixtey six and this is what he wrote, he said my name is private andrew malone, and if your reading this than i didnt make it home, but for every dream thats shattered another one comes true, this car was once a dream of mine now it belongs to you, so you may take her and make her your own but you will always be riding with private malone, it didnt take me long at all i had her running good, i loved to hear those horses thunder underneath her hood, i had her shining like a diamond and i put that ragtop down, all the pretty girls would stop and stare as i drove her through town, the buttons on the radio didnt seem to work quite right but we picked up that oldies show especially late at night, sometimes in the evenings if i turned real quick i would see a soldier riding shotgun in the seat right next to me, it was a young man named private andrew malone who fought for his country and never made it home, but for every dream thats shattered another one comes true, this car was once a dream of his back when it was new and he told me to take her and make her my own, i was proud to be riding with private malone, one night it was raning hard and i took a curve to fast, and i still dont remember much about that firey crash, someone said they saw a solder pull me out, they didnt get his name but i know without a doubt, it was a young man named private andrew malone, who fought for his country and didnt make it home, but for every dream thats shattered another one comes true that car was once a dream of his back when it was new, i know i wouldnt be here if he haddnt tagged along, i thank god i was riding with private malone

[@collettewhosthatgirl1330]

@@Ryansanders80 ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jguilletjr]

Thank you for this song.

[@littleoneofmany]

This is my song to the woman I bought my Camaro from...... she refused for it to be used as a race car I promised her I'd build it up and make it "NEW" again.... she will always be my "Andrew Malone" !!!

[@angelarobinson6293]

I love David Ball version

[@donnabartlett627]

I love this song

[@brytonmyers]

Well I was in the lran and and had a dude named malone he was a awesome dude

[@countryboycharlie9793]

Need to make a movie 🎥

[@jameslambert3173]

I still have my 69 one owner Z28 I bought before going to Viet Nam as a cobra Pilot. wrecked it weekend before I left it got out of body shop two days after I was released from Wright Patt Hosp. after being shot down in my Cobra. I will be giving it to my daughter and I am putting a note in its glove box. Its an awesome car 2 fours 550 hp wish I could share a pic.

[@dennisotero1034]

I wrote those words nack in 1993. And this guys put music to my words. And the creator knows all my truths. Let these guys know I have the carte Blanche in my deal I created back in 1973. They did good on my words. Oh my writings ended up at that Nashville songwriting school. Back in 1993. Songwriter

[@beniardantly4276]

This song hits different after you've served... damn

[@rickarra1833]

Great song

[@dancahill9122]

Wood Newton has a very good voice himself. I think he could have all so done a very good job on the song.

[@marynace6294]

A great song a sad time for America the war that tore our country apart lost a classmate in Viet Nan war think of him and all who served whether it was right don't blame those who served they are heroes who served with honor

[@ravenbosworth8258]

Miles Puckett thank you for your sacrifice

[@carysbluesky1]

Just wish the picture showed a Vietnam vet vs Iraq since the song was about the mid sixties.

[@ethelhoose1196]

I love that song it is a real tribute to veitnam vet's

[@jerryanstey7058]

He said a hit should be approx.. 3 min .45 sec. . What about : 'American Pie' : 8 min:33sec. or 'Stairway to Heaven' : 8 min 01 sec. ?

[@johnsain6384]

Jerry Anstey buy or get a chance to get back with you on the song

[@leonardostankic1364]

Wrong genre dude

[@ethelhoose2972]

I grew up during the time of Vietnam war and knew a guy who had a mustang he came but every time on leave he drove the he sold it after he left the military

[@tammydriver5759]

My late husband was a Vietnam Vet.

[@dennisotero1034]

Tell them I was 11 when I wrote the wotds to Windy and Cherish. And the thieves stole them and gave it to another and they put music to my words. For the Creator knows truth. And they did good to my words.

[@MJA5]

I am a vteran no more or no less Iam just here

[@collettewhosthatgirl1330]

Your much more than you think or realize to many ppl, thank you for your service sir ❤

[@richardsekula4698]

So much more than you know thank you for my freedom sir

[@jessicaferrucci3522]

What branch of the military was Private Malone in? I am getting his dog tags inked soon and it's important. I want to write David Ball but am unsure of how to reach him, so this is good enough

[@fcf5283]

It says Andrew Malone didnt exist. There were 13 Malones but not an Andrew.

[@toddhill4411]

Wr do it cause we are called to serve i c ome from mikitary famy my grandfather in ww2 and my cousin in Vietnam me during desert storm my grandfather ssid when your country calls you answer he was my hero my grandfather

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

I heard the song played by the late great James King.

[@mandograssable]

I have never heard him sing it. Where did you hear it?

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

Heard it on the James King CD "Three chords and the truth" (2014).

[@mandograssable]

@@ulrichfriehe3459 Thanks, I found it. This is not an easy song to sing. James did a good job on it.

[@bennunyour4121]

This host needs to learn to not interrupt, he interrupted the guy about 5 different times

[@DonKin-om7yr]

Story songs take 4 min.. or longer 3min. songs say nothing !

[@sashalou271]

so you can't sing