According to music historian Tom Shannon, the song started as a joke when singer Della Reese wanted a new Ford Mustang. Rice called the early version of the song, ‘Mustang Mama’ but changed the title to ‘Mustang Sally’ after Aretha Franklin suggested it. It is also felt that the song is influenced by the children's game song (recorded by various artists) ‘Little Sally Walker’, versions of which include the lyrics "Rise Sally rise, wipe your weepin' eyes", with variations.
Love and peace. Bill xxx