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Radar Love
Golden Earring Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel
There's a voice in my head that drives my heel
It's my baby callin', says I need you here
And it's a half past four and I'm shiftin' gear
When she is lonely and the longing gets too much
She sends a cable comin' in from above
Don't need no phone at all

We've got a thing that's called radar love
We've got a wave in the air, radar love



The radio is playing some forgotten song
Brenda Lee's comin' on strong

The road has got me hypnotized
And I'm speedin' into a new sunrise
When I get lonely and I'm sure I've had enough
She sends her comfort comin' in from above

We don't need no letter at all
We've got a thing that's called radar love
We've got a light in the sky, radar love

No more speed, I'm almost there
Gotta keep cool now, gotta take care
Last car to pass, here I go

And the line of cars drove down real slow
And the radio played that forgotten song
Brenda Lee's comin' on strong
And the newsman sang his same song
Oh one more radar lover gone

When I get lonely and I'm sure I've had enough
She sends her comfort comin' in from above
We don't need no letter at all

We've got a thing that's called radar love
We've got a light in the sky

We've got a thing that's called radar love
We've got a thing that's called radar love

Overall Meaning

The song Radar Love by Golden Earring speaks about a long-distance relationship between two lovers who seem to be miles apart from each other. The first two lines “I've been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel, There's a voice in my head that drives my heel” depicts the driver's journey through the night, trying to get to his lover. He is restless and his thoughts are consumed by his lover's call. The next two lines “It's my baby calling, says I need you here, And it's a half-past four and I'm shifting gear” shows his lover's desperation and his eagerness to be with her, despite the long distance between them. 


When the driver gets lost in his thoughts and becomes lonely, he tunes into the radar that connects him to his lover. He describes this connection as "We've got a thing that's called radar love" which becomes the recurring line of the song. The use of the phrase “don't need no phone at all” suggests that they have found a more personal way to communicate that is not bound by technology, but by true love. The chorus "We've got a wave in the air, radar love, We've got a light in the sky, radar love" emphasizes the invisibility and magical quality of their connection, which is likened to a supernatural force. The song eventually ends with them reuniting, and the last few lines depict the joy of their reunion, now that they are finally together.


Line by Line Meaning

I've been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel
The singer has been driving all night and is physically tired and perhaps nervous or stressed.


There's a voice in my head that drives my heel
The singer is motivated by a voice or feeling inside him that impels him to keep going.


It's my baby callin', says I need you here
The singer's lover is calling out to him and expressing a need for him to be present.


And it's a half past four and I'm shiftin' gear
The time of night is late and the singer is adjusting to continue his journey.


When she is lonely and the longing gets too much
The singer's lover experiences deep feelings of loneliness and desire for him when he is not there.


She sends a cable comin' in from above
The singer's lover sends him messages and love from a distance through a metaphorical transcendent channel.


Don't need no phone at all
The singer and his lover communicate without any material tools necessary.


We've got a thing that's called radar love
The relationship between the singer and his lover is characterized by a mutual awareness and connection that defies traditional forms of communication.


We've got a wave in the air, radar love
There is a literal signal in the air that represents the couple's emotional connection and love.


The radio is playing some forgotten song
The singer hears music from the radio that evokes memories of the past.


Brenda Lee's comin' on strong
The singer notices a particular song and is emotionally impacted by it, invoking the powerful voice of Brenda Lee.


The road has got me hypnotized
Driving for an extended period of time has led the singer to a state of hypnosis or trance-like focus.


And I'm speedin' into a new sunrise
The singer is travelling quickly toward a new day or future.


When I get lonely and I'm sure I've had enough
The singer experiences feelings of loneliness and exhaustion during his long journey.


She sends her comfort comin' in from above
The singer's lover again sends him comfort and love from a transcendent place.


We don't need no letter at all
The couple is able to communicate without the need for written correspondence.


No more speed, I'm almost there
The singer is approaching his destination and is slowing down.


Gotta keep cool now, gotta take care
The singer is reminding himself to stay calm and focused as he approaches the end of his journey.


Last car to pass, here I go
The singer is the last car to pass before he arrives at his destination.


And the line of cars drove down real slow
The singer is observing the other cars around him also arriving or departing.


And the radio played that forgotten song
The radio continues to play music that triggers memories and emotions for the singer.


Brenda Lee's comin' on strong
The singer is again moved by Brenda Lee's powerful voice and the song being played.


And the newsman sang his same song
The singer hears a news report with a similar tone or message to the music being played on the radio.


Oh one more radar lover gone
The singer is reflecting on his own journey and the idea that he is a lover who is connected through this metaphorical radar.


We've got a thing that's called radar love
The uniqueness and strength of the singer and his lover's relationship is once again emphasized.


We've got a light in the sky, radar love
The metaphorical and literal signals that represent the couple's love are returning as a motif.


We've got a thing that's called radar love
The song's chorus repeats and reiterates the strength and connection of the couple's relationship.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARRY HAY, GEORGE KOOYMANS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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