Cadillac Ranch
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Lyrics


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Well, there she sits buddy just a gleaming in the sun
There to greet a working man when his day is done
I'm gonna pack my pa and I'm gonna pack my aunt
I'm gonna take them down to the Cadillac ranch

Eldorado fins, baby, whitewalls in skirts
Rides just like my little bit of heaven here on earth
Well, buddy, when I die throw my body in the back
Drive me to the junkyard in my Cadillac

Cadillac, Cadillac
Long and dark shiny and black
Open up your engines, let 'em roar
Tearing up the highway like a big old dinosaur

James Dean in that mercury '49
Junior Johnson runnin' through the woods of Caroline
Even Burt Reynolds in that black Trans Am
All gonna meet down at the Cadillac ranch

Cadillac, Cadillac
Long and dark, shiny and black
Open up them engines let 'em roar
Tearing up the highway like a big old dinosaur

Hey little girlie, in the blue jeans so tight
Drivin' alone through the Wisconsin night
You're my last love, baby, you're my last chance
Don't let 'em take me to the Cadillac ranch

Cadillac, Cadillac
Long and dark, shiny and black
Pulled up to my house today
Came and took my little girl away

Oh baby, come home
Oh baby, come back




Oh yeah
Come home

Overall Meaning

“Cadillac Ranch” by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band is a song about a famous landmark on historic Route 66. The Cadillac Ranch is an art installation located in Amarillo, Texas, that features a row of Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground. The song opens with the singer driving down Route 66 and seeing the Cadillac Ranch in the distance. The singer wants to take his family to see it, and he dreams of being buried in his own Cadillac. The second verse makes reference to famous Hollywood stars and race car drivers who all have their own Cadillac and who will be meeting at the Cadillac Ranch. The third verse is directed at a woman, and the singer begs her not to let them take him to the Cadillac Ranch, as he wants to be with her.


The song has been interpreted in a number of different ways. Some see it as a celebration of cars and Americana, while others see it as a commentary on consumerism and the commercialization of Route 66. In live performances of the song, Springsteen would often add a verse about Elvis Presley’s pink Cadillac and its impact on American culture.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, there she sits buddy just a-gleaming in the sun
Describing a Cadillac parked in the sun, reflecting light and catching attention


There to greet a working man when his day is done
The car symbolizes a reward, something to look forward to after a hard day's work


I'm gonna pack my pa and I'm gonna pack my aunt
The singer plans to take his family to see the Cadillac and enjoy the experience together


I'm gonna take them down to the Cadillac ranch
The Cadillac is part of a larger experience, a place where people gather and enjoy cars together


Eldorado fins, whitewalls and skirts
Describing the style of the Cadillac, with distinct features that set it apart from other cars


Rides just like my little bit of heaven here on earth
The car is a source of pleasure and joy for the singer


Well, buddy, when I die throw my body in the back
Even in death, the singer wants to be close to his beloved Cadillac


Drive me to the junkyard in my Cadillac
Even when the car is no longer useful, the artist wants to be with it and have it as his final resting place


Cadillac, Cadillac
Repeated use of the car's name, emphasizing its importance and significance to the artist


Long and dark shiny and black
Describing the Cadillac's color and appearance


Open up your engines, let 'em roar
Encouraging the car to be driven and enjoyed at high speeds


Tearing up the highway like a big old dinosaur
Comparing the car's power and majesty to a prehistoric creature


James Dean in that mercury '49
Referencing a famous actor and his car, adding to the Cadillac's cultural significance


Junior Johnson runnin' through the woods of Carolina
Referencing a famous race car driver, adding to the Cadillac's association with speed and power


Even Burt Reynolds in that black Trans Am
Referencing another famous actor and his car, adding to the Cadillac's cultural significance


All gonna meet down at the Cadillac ranch
The car is such an important cultural symbol that famous people from different fields come together to see it


Hey little girlie, in the blue jeans so tight
Addressing a woman who catches the artist's attention


Drivin' alone through the Wisconsin night
Describing the woman's circumstances, implying that she might be in need of companionship or adventure


You're my last love, baby, you're my last chance
The singer sees the woman as a chance for a new beginning or a last hurrah


Don't let 'em take me to the Cadillac ranch
The artist sees the car as a temptation that might lead him astray from the woman he desires


Pulled up to my house today
The artist sees a car arriving at his home


Came and took my little girl away
The car takes away someone or something important to the artist


Oh baby, come home
The singer pleads for the return of what was taken away


Oh baby, come back
Repeating the plea for the return of what was taken away


Oh
An emotional exclamation, expressing loss, frustration, or longing




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@vinnievenus3570

Have you ever seen chuck berry rolling? In concert? Or the whos 4 original members burning the midnite oil in concert?
Or Angus young and bon scott just rocking on stage?
Buddy?
Bruce is good.
Perhaps even a musical GOD. In concert.
I admit.
Hes good.
Bt that said?sir.
Bruce does not compare with musical performances given to fortunate humans by the who, and ac dc.
Or Bruce's idol.chuck berry.
Check history.
Bud.
That's obvious.
Pure and simple
.



@robertwiesler381

Absolutely fantastic
One of the best songs ever written
I was there when he did this song
as a surprise in Vienna 2009
followed by JERSEY GIRL (by request)
Only the BOSS does this
Hey Bruce, please call Your boys and
come back to Europe soon
I will be there for sure
To all the people out there:
You must see them live if you can
It will change your life



All comments from YouTube:

@jamesian-allen8725

The energy Bruce puts out is just off the chain !!!

@jeffelm8033

Leaving the show after my first Springsteen show, I was exhausted and blown away by what I had just witnessed, and that was ROCK N ROLL IN ITS PUREST FORM... No fancy stage costumes or light shows just great performances of fantastic songs.... ON THE 8TH DAY, GOD CREATED BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND AND DAMN!!!! IT WAS GOOD

@johncramer3503

Once saw Bruce in Saginaw ; missed the show in Detroit Labour Day weekend 78: the Arena held 5,000 + , but believe it or not there were 2,000 people; sat very close to Clarence,,,amazing show , , , Best part Bruce played at least 4+ hrs. Before the encores the band was asking" what next" how about Jail house Rock ," then the Detroit Medley,,, oh yeah the ticket was $6.50.

@lyleschoolfield9502

@@elena2023- word

@araratkel-rawi1974

Uu

@dickgibby1005

Yep, I first went in ‘78 blown away 😮

7 More Replies...

@ianrumbolt

Still one of my favorites. Bruce is the man, couldn't ask for any better to share a birthday with.

@kvnrvideo

My wife wanted to see Bruce for her 60th. Third show at the Meadowlands last week! I have no words to describe it! Simply amazing!

@careyhoffman4976

I've never in eight times of seeing the band over the years thought they were anything but great, but there's something to be said for being able to go back and revisit who they were in 1980. They were well on their way to international stardom, but they were still hungry and clawing their way to the top. That little bit of extra intensity stands out immediately in this video. They rocked it so hard, plus with the benefit of time passing, you really realize how much their core sound was tied back to early rock, soul and R&B of the 1950s and early '60s.

@mackey-5438

Yes. It seemed they had something to prove during "The River" tour. I don't think I've seen the band more in tune with one another. I saw them twice in Los Angeles during this tour and the performances were truly transcendental. Bruce and the boys played for about 4 hrs. each concert. Time went by so fast it seemed like it was only about 45 minutes each concert.

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