If you start me up
If you start me up, I'll never stop
You can start me up
You can start me up, I'll never stop

I've been running hot
You got me ticking, gonna blow my top
If you start me up
If you start me up, I'll never stop
Never stop, never stop, I'll never stop

You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry

Spread out the oil, the gasoline
I walk smooth, ride in a mean, mean machine
Start it up

If you start me up
Kick on the starter
Give it all you got, you got, you got
I can't compete with the riders in the other heats
If you rough it up
If you like it, I can slide it up
Slide it up, slide it up, slide it up

Don't make a grown man cry
Don't make a grown man cry
Don't make a grown man cry

My eyes dilate, my lips go green
My hands are greasy
She's a mean, mean machine

Start it up
Start me up
Ah, give it all you got
You got to never, never, never stop
Slide it up, woo
Aw baby, just slide it up
Slide it up, slide it up, never, never

You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry
You make a grown man cry

Ride like the wind at double speed
I'll take you places that you've never, never seen
If you start it up
Love the day and we will never stop, never stop
Never, never, never stop
Start me up
Never stop, never stop

You, you, you make a grown man cry
You, you made a dead man come
You, you made a dead man come

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Rolling Stones's classic hit "Start Me Up" is about getting pumped up with excitement and energy, all while channeling it towards a woman. The song features the signature Keith Richards riff that builds up the song's adrenaline, which is also a metaphorical representation of getting a car's engine revving. The song is all about taking action and achieving anything you set your mind to, and this can only happen if you are motivated and focused.

The first verse is a promise of never-ending performance; that if you start someone up, nothing can stop them. The chorus then goes on to sing praises of a woman who makes a man cry, and who also makes him feel alive again. The second verse goes on to describe spreading oil and gasoline, which is a reference to getting the engine of a car running. The singer then mentions being able to ride in a mean machine, which is also a metaphor for the same thing: find your edge and exploit it.

In conclusion, "Start Me Up" is a great rock anthem about finding your strength, harnessing it, and channeling it into something meaningful. The song is all about the thrill of the chase, but ultimately, it is also about the joy that comes with the pursuit of passion.

Line by Line Meaning

If you start me up
If you ignite or initiate something within me

If you start me up, I'll never stop
I'll continue with that unrelenting passion

You can start me up
You have the power to get me going

You can start me up, I'll never stop
And I won't cease until I reach my goals or desires

I've been running hot
I've been experiencing an intense, fiery energy

You got me ticking, gonna blow my top
You're so electric that you could ignite a flame or cause me to lose control

Never stop, never stop, I'll never stop
I'll relentlessly persevere towards my pursuits

You make a grown man cry
You're so powerful that you can bring grown men to their emotional breaking point

Spread out the oil, the gasoline
Prepare the fuel needed to run the machine

I walk smooth, ride in a mean, mean machine
I'm confident and in control, whether walking or driving a powerful vehicle

Kick on the starter
Engage the starting mechanism

Give it all you got, you got, you got
Exert your full effort and energy

I can't compete with the riders in the other heats
I'm unable to keep up with those who are better, faster, or more experienced than me

If you rough it up
If you make it more challenging or demanding

If you like it, I can slide it up
If you enjoy a difficult challenge, then I can rise to it

Don't make a grown man cry
Avoid causing me excessive emotional distress

My eyes dilate, my lips go green
My pupils widen, and my mouth puckers in anticipation or excitement

My hands are greasy
My hands are covered in oil and fuel, indicative of working hard

She's a mean, mean machine
Referring to an impressive and powerful vehicle or woman

Ah, give it all you got
Exert your full strength and energy

You got to never, never, never stop
Continue moving forward without pause or hesitation

Slide it up, woo
Do it better or with more energy

Aw baby, just slide it up
Encouraging someone to push themselves harder

Ride like the wind at double speed
Moving forward quickly with force and intensity

I'll take you places that you've never, never seen
I'll introduce you to new and exciting experiences

Love the day and we will never stop, never stop
Embrace life, and we'll continue pursuing our passions indefinitely

You, you, you make a grown man cry
Reinforcing how powerfully moving this person is

You, you made a dead man come
Metaphorically showing how intense and thrilling the experience is

Greg Halder

on 2000 Light Years From Home

Totally underrated track and album..

just now