Some of us are certainly old enough remember the National Maximum Speed Limit law, signed in 1974 by President Nixon.

Due to an oil embargo, the maximum speed limit was set at 55 for passenger vehicles on all highways nationwide (although some states ignored it). The law actually stayed in effect until 1995.

In 1984, Sammy Hagar wrote “I Can’t Drive 55″ after he was ticketed late one night for going 62 MPH on a nearly deserted highway near his home in upstate New York.

When he finally got home at 4am, he picked up his guitar and “speedily” poured his frustration into writing the song.

Then, when making the video, Sammy being Sammy , went all out with a ridiculous scenario that involved a car chase…and a courtroom trial that were way over the top–but, of course, it became an MTV favorite.

Check it out below!

And, for the record, the song reached #9 on Billboard’s Rock Chart.

 I Can’t Drive 55″ by Sammy Hagar puttin’ pedal to the metal on a Great Song of 1984!