Built for Speed is a compilation album by American rockabilly band Stray Cats, released as the band's first album in the United States in June 1982 by EMI America Records.
Built for Speed is essentially a compilation of 12 tracks taken from the band's first two British album releases: six from Stray Cats (February 1981) and five from Gonna Ball (November 1981), plus the title track, "Built for Speed", which had not previously been released in the United Kingdom.
It was the most successful record for the band, earning a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, and with the music videos for songs such as "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut" reaching MTV regular rotation status.
Critical reception
Reviewing Built for Speed for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau said that, despite Brian Setzer's exotic, modernistic guitar touches, "the mild vocals just ain't rockabilly. You know how it is when white boys strive for authenticity—'57 V-8 my ass".
Stray Cats
- Brian Setzer – guitars, lap steel guitar, vocals
- Slim Jim Phantom – drums, vocals
- Lee Rocker – bass, electric bass, vocals
Production
- Dave Edmunds – production
- Hein Hoven – production
- Stray Cats – production
- Wally Traugott – mastering
Design
- Charles Novick Studios – design
- Gavin Cochrane – front cover photography
- Francesca – design
- Guido Harari – back cover photography
- Sheila Rock – back cover photography
Charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! Chart (1982–83)
! Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|}