Shotgun
Ariana Savalas Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My friends all say that this guy in my history class
Has been giving me the stare all day.
But who's that wise old man up there
With the white hair, tell me why he makes me crazy.
This can go nowhere, but I've got nowhere to be.

Officer what seems to be the problem?
I got a problem baby, won't you save me?
I need someone to look up to
I know you'd love to get me on my knees.
So, take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby
You've got the power over me
Take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby
I've got nowhere to be.

The doctor says I'm looking for a father figure.
I figure he is out of his mind.
Doctor a figure, a fine man is like a fine wine
You say our time is up, but I'm free tonight.
So, take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby
You've got the power over me
Take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby
I've got nowhere to be.

Dedalee dedalee
Dede dede

I just heard my phone chime.
I just got a message from a guy
He wants to take me out tonight.
Well you're momma shoulda taught ya how to treat a lady
Sorry baby, tonight
But who's that guy in the suit and tie
Tell me why he makes me crazy
This can go nowhere, but he'll get everywhere tonight.

So, take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby
You've got the power over me
Take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby
I've got nowhere to be.
Heyyy ohhhh ohhhh ohhh




To be to be to be
To be

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ariana Savalas's song "Shotgun" depict a woman who is drawn to older men, seeking guidance and authority figures in her life. The first verse introduces a potential love interest who is giving her attention in class, but it's the "wise old man" with white hair who really catches her eye. Despite knowing that the relationship can "go nowhere", she still feels drawn to him and has "nowhere to be". This theme is continued in the second verse when she visits a doctor who diagnoses her as "looking for a father figure". However, she rejects his diagnosis and insists on her freedom, telling him that "our time is up, but I'm free tonight". In the final verse, she receives a message from a guy who wants to take her out, but her attention is once again drawn to an older man in a suit and tie, knowing that he will get everywhere with her that night.


The song seemingly explores a theme of power imbalances and submissiveness in relationships. The woman in the song is constantly seeking someone to look up to and take control, whether it be a teacher, a doctor, or a mysterious man in a suit. The repeating refrain of "take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby" further emphasizes this desire to relinquish control and power to someone else. The song is musically characterized by a slow, jazzy rhythm and the use of scatting.


Line by Line Meaning

My friends all say that this guy in my history class
People are saying that a guy in my history class has been staring at me all day.


Has been giving me the stare all day.
The guy in my history class has been looking at me for a long time.


But who's that wise old man up there
I'm wondering who that wise old man is up there.


With the white hair, tell me why he makes me crazy.
I don't know why, but that wise old man with white hair makes me feel crazy.


This can go nowhere, but I've got nowhere to be.
I know nothing can happen between me and the guy in my history class, but I have nothing else to do either.


Officer what seems to be the problem?
I'm asking an officer if there is a problem.


I got a problem baby, won't you save me?
I'm asking someone to save me because I have a problem.


I need someone to look up to
I want someone to admire and respect.


I know you'd love to get me on my knees.
I think the officer wants to gain power over me and make me submit to him.


So, take the reins I'm riding shotgun baby
I'm letting someone else take control and lead me.


You've got the power over me
I'm giving someone else control and power over me.


The doctor says I'm looking for a father figure.
The doctor thinks I'm looking for someone to replace my father.


I figure he is out of his mind.
I think the doctor is crazy for suggesting that.


Doctor a figure, a fine man is like a fine wine
A good doctor is like a good wine, improving with age.


You say our time is up, but I'm free tonight.
The doctor is saying our session is over, but I am available to do something tonight.


I just heard my phone chime.
I just received a notification on my phone.


I just got a message from a guy
I received a message from a guy.


He wants to take me out tonight.
The guy who messaged me wants to take me out tonight.


Well you're momma shoulda taught ya how to treat a lady
I'm suggesting that the guy who messaged me should have been taught how to treat a woman properly by his mother.


Sorry baby, tonight
I'm not available to go out with the guy who messaged me tonight.


But who's that guy in the suit and tie
I'm curious about the man in the suit and tie nearby.


Tell me why he makes me crazy
I don't know why, but that man in the suit and tie makes me feel crazy.


This can go nowhere, but he'll get everywhere tonight.
I know that nothing can happen between me and the man in the suit and tie, but he will be successful in whatever he does tonight.


Heyyy ohhhh ohhhh ohhh
An exclamation that doesn't have a specific meaning.


To be to be to be
A repetition of the word 'to be' that doesn't have a specific meaning.




Contributed by Jordyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@ScottBradlee

"it's not a phase, mom...orchestral goth cabaret is who I really am!"
Beautiful song and video, Ariana!

@georgecaplin9075

Read the comment without looking who posted it, went to click like and, “Woah!”. Like the comment, love your work.

@aubreyloganmusic

Yes.

@kellyford8832

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA good one fam. good one!!

@desire.liberte85

Et dire que je suis tombé dessus par hasard en faisant des recherches sur un acteur dont j'appréciais la série Kojak...la suite on l'a connaît !
Très belle musique et le clip est très chouette!
Un grand merci à toi et à ton papa pour sa série que je regardais étant plus jeune, toujours avec sa 🍭😅

@Biffkrull

Jag gillar det här skarpt !

@strickefuernazis

This song works even without the video!!! 🖤Leave some white roses for my beloved ones, too! May they live long. And stay crazy!!! 🤟Dag-dagadaga-dag-dag!! 🥁

@dozergyp

The more i hear this track the more i love it, Fantastic video , Love from UK 💕💕💕

@CSavalas

The video really is beautiful, and spooky too!! Drop that album!

@juliesavalas

This video is incredible, honey! Soooo beautiful! xoxox

More Comments