Killer Cars
Radiohead Lyrics
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Cars
Killer cars
Too hard on the brakes again
What if these brakes just give in?
What if they don't get out of the way?
What if there's someone overtaking?
I'm going out for a little drive
And it could be the last time you see me alive
There could be an idiot on the road
The only kick in life is pumping his steel
Wrap me up in the back of the trunk
Packed with foam and blind drunk
They won't ever take me alive
'Cause they all drive
Don't die on the motorway
The moon would freeze, the plants would die
I couldn't cope if you crashed today
All the things I forgot to say
I'm going out for a little drive
And it could be the last time you see me alive
What if the car loses control?
What if there's someone overtaking?
Wrap me up in the back of the trunk
Packed with foam and blind drunk
They won't ever take me alive
'Cause they all drive
Killer cars
Wrap me up in the back of the trunk
Packed with foam and blind drunk
No, they won't ever take me alive
'Cause they all drive
Killer cars
They all drive
Killer cars
They all drive
Killer cars
Oh, killer cars
Oh, killer
Killer
Killer cars
Cars
Killer cars
Killer cars
Ah, killer cars
Killer cars
Killer cars
"Killer Cars" is a song by Radiohead that explores the fear and anxiety of driving, and the potential dangers that come with it. The lyrics describe the paranoid thoughts that can take over when behind the wheel. The fear of other drivers and the fear of losing control of the car, leading to a potentially fatal accident. The chorus repeats the phrase "Killer Cars" like a mantra, emphasizing the overwhelming anxiety that can come with driving. The repeated line "Wrap me up in the back of the trunk" could suggest a desire to avoid driving altogether, to be confined to the relative safety of the car trunk, away from the danger of the road.
The song's haunting, eerie melody and tense lyrics convey the feeling of being trapped and helpless, surrounded by the dangers of the world. It's a common fear, and one that's arguably even more relevant today, as car culture remains a dominant aspect of modern society, and the potential for accidents looms ever-present. Radiohead effectively captures this fear with their captivating, atmospheric sound, and the song's repeated refrain remains memorable long after it's faded away.
Line by Line Meaning
Killer cars
The song is about cars and how dangerous they can be
Cars
The song repeats the word 'cars' to emphasize the theme of the song
Killer cars
Repeats the song's title for emphasis
Too hard on the brakes again
The artist is driving too aggressively and is worried about braking too hard
What if these brakes just give in?
The artist is worried about the possibility of mechanical failure with the brakes
What if they don't get out of the way?
The singer is worried about other drivers not yielding when they need to
What if there's someone overtaking?
The singer is worried about being overtaken by another car
I'm going out for a little drive
The artist is going for a drive, which could be dangerous
And it could be the last time you see me alive
The artist's drive is dangerous and they might not come back alive
There could be an idiot on the road
The artist is worried about encountering a reckless driver on the road
The only kick in life is pumping his steel
The only thing this reckless driver enjoys is driving aggressively
Wrap me up in the back of the trunk
The artist is ready to die and be transported in the back of a car
Packed with foam and blind drunk
The singer wants to be drunk and comfortable when they die
They won't ever take me alive
The singer is so prepared to die that they will never be taken alive
'Cause they all drive
The singer is convinced that everyone who drives is reckless and dangerous
Don't die on the motorway
The artist is worried about their loved one dying while driving on the motorway
The moon would freeze, the plants would die
The artist would be devastated if their loved one died
I couldn't cope if you crashed today
The singer would not be able to handle their loved one's death
All the things I forgot to say
The singer regrets not saying everything they wanted to say to their loved one
What if the car loses control?
The artist is worried about losing control of their car while driving
Wrap me up in the back of the trunk
The artist is still ready to die and be transported in the back of a car
No, they won't ever take me alive
The artist is still determined to die and not be taken alive
'Cause they all drive
The singer still believes that everyone who drives is dangerous
Oh, killer cars
Repeats the song's title for emphasis
Oh, killer
Shortened version of 'killer cars' for emphasis
Killer
Shortened version of 'killer cars' for emphasis
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLIN CHARLES GREENWOOD, EDWARD JOHN O'BRIEN, JONATHAN RICHARD GUY GREENWOOD, PHILIP JAMES SELWAY, THOMAS EDWARD YORKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind