The 1975 War song named for a customized car with lowered suspension is “Low Rider.”
War recorded the song for its album Why Can’t We Be Friends?, released in June 1975. Written by the band and producer Jerry Goldstein, it uses a compact, instantly recognizable groove built around a repeated bass line, clipped guitar, percussion, and a prominent low-register saxophone part. Lee Oskar is especially associated with the song’s harmonica sound.
A lowrider is a customized vehicle designed to sit close to the ground. Builders commonly alter the suspension, add distinctive paint and chrome, and use hydraulic systems that can raise or lower the car. The style became strongly associated with Mexican American and Chicano car culture, particularly in California and the American Southwest.
The title is sometimes confused with “Low Rider” as a generic phrase rather than the song title, but War’s recording uses the singular form. Its short, chant-like vocal hook helped make it one of the group’s most enduring recordings.