The Bumper Of My S.U.V
Chely Wright Lyrics


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I've got a bright red sticker on the back of my car
Says United States Marines
And yesterday a lady in a mini-van held up a middle finger at me
Does she think she knows what I stand for
Or the things that I believe
Just by looking at a sticker for the U.S. Marines
On the bumper of my SUV
See, my brother Chris, he's been in for more than 14 years now
Our dad was in the Navy during Vietnam
Did his duty then he got out
And my grandpa earned his purple heart
On the beach of Normandy
That's why I've got a sticker for the U.S. Marines
On the bumper of my SUV

But that doesn't mean that I want war
I'm not Republican or Democrat
But I've gone all around this crazy world
Just to try and better understand
Yes, I do have questions
I get to ask them because I'm free
That's why I've got a sticker for the U.S. Marines
On the bumper of my SUV

'Cause I've been to Hiroshima
And I've been to the DMZ
I've walked on the sand in Baghdad
Still don't have all of the answers I need
But I guess I wanna know where she's been
Before she judges and gestures to me
'Cause she don't like my sticker for the U.S. Marines
On the bumper of my SUV

So I hope that lady in her mini-van
Turns on her radio and hears this from me
As she picks up her kids from their private school
And drives home safely on our city streets
Or to the building where her church group meets




Yeah, that's why I've got a sticker for the U.S. Marines
On the bumper of my SUV

Overall Meaning

In "Bumper Of My SUV," Chely Wright addresses the judgment she receives for having a United States Marines sticker on her car. She recalls an incident where a woman in a mini-van flipped her off because of the sticker, and questions whether the woman truly understands what the Marines stand for and what they represent. Wright then goes on to explain her personal connection to the military, with her brother having served for 14+ years, her father serving in the Navy during Vietnam, and her grandpa receiving a Purple Heart on the beach of Normandy during World War II. Despite her family's involvement, Wright clarifies that the sticker doesn't mean she wants war or identifies with a political party, it simply represents her appreciation for the freedom she has to ask questions and understand the world around her. Wright even shares some of her own experiences, having been to Hiroshima, the DMZ, and Baghdad, but still lacking all the answers. In the end, she hopes that the woman who judged her will listen to her song and perhaps gain a better understanding of what the military and the United States Marines mean to her.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got a bright red sticker on the back of my car
I have a conspicuous red sticker adorning my car


Says United States Marines
It bears the insignia of the United States Marines


And yesterday a lady in a mini-van held up a middle finger at me
Recently, a woman in a mini-van gestured rudely at me


Does she think she knows what I stand for
Is she presuming to know my convictions?


Or the things that I believe
Or the matters of principle that I espouse?


Just by looking at a sticker for the U.S. Marines
Merely by glimpsing my Marine Corps emblem?


On the bumper of my SUV
Affixed to my SUV's rear fender


See, my brother Chris, he's been in for more than 14 years now
My brother Christopher has served for over fourteen years


Our dad was in the Navy during Vietnam
Our father was a Vietnam War veteran who served in the Navy


Did his duty then he got out
He fulfilled his obligations and then exited the service


And my grandpa earned his purple heart
Moreover, my grandfather was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart


On the beach of Normandy
On the shore of Normandy, France during World War II


That's why I've got a sticker for the U.S. Marines
This is why I proudly display a U.S. Marines emblem


But that doesn't mean that I want war
However, this does not imply that I desire conflict


I'm not Republican or Democrat
I do not identify as either a Republican or Democrat


But I've gone all around this crazy world
Yet, I have journeyed extensively around this bewildering planet


Just to try and better understand
Solely to endeavor to better grasp


Yes, I do have questions
Undoubtedly, I do possess numerous queries


I get to ask them because I'm free
I am afforded the opportunity to pose them because of my freedom


That's why I've got a sticker for the U.S. Marines
This explains my embellishing my car with a U.S. Marines emblem


On the bumper of my SUV
Which adorns the back of my SUV


'Cause I've been to Hiroshima
Because I have journeyed to Hiroshima


And I've been to the DMZ
As well as traversed the DMZ


I've walked on the sand in Baghdad
I have strolled on the sands of Baghdad


Still don't have all of the answers I need
I am still lacking all the responses that I require


But I guess I wanna know where she's been
However, I suppose I am curious as to where that woman has been


Before she judges and gestures to me
Before she presumes to condemn me with her gesture


'Cause she don't like my sticker for the U.S. Marines
Due to her aversion to my U.S. Marines emblem


On the bumper of my SUV
Which graces my SUV's rear fender


So I hope that lady in her mini-van
So, I trust that woman in her mini-van


Turns on her radio and hears this from me
Will switch on her radio and listen to my words


As she picks up her kids from their private school
While she gathers her children from their private school


And drives home safely on our city streets
And safely travels home on our urban avenues


Or to the building where her church group meets
Or to the edifice wherein her religious assembly convenes


Yeah, that's why I've got a sticker for the U.S. Marines
Indeed, this is why I have chosen to affix a U.S. Marines sticker


On the bumper of my SUV
To the rear fender of my SUV




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Joshua Brooks

Proud son of a Navy man. This is a great song, Chely.

Her signature songs are
1. Jezebel
2. Shut up and drive
3. Never love you enough
4. Single white female
5. She went out for cigarettes
6. The bumper of my SUV



All comments from YouTube:

Al A

I am a retired Marine First Sergeant and I spent 21 months in Vietnam. You brought tears to my eyes!!!

Bob Mowreader

semper fi 1st sgt. I'm a marine no longer on active duty and a desert storm veteran. chelys brother is a master sgt and a ch-53e crew chief and a veteran of Iraq,and I think Afghanistan too!

Lin Roth

@Bob Mowreader During Desert Storm I sat down and wrote letters too y'all.Sometimes I sent pkgs when I could.But everyday I sat at my kitchen table and wrote letters.I didn't know which of y'all were going to get them.I just wanted to give my love and support.❤🇺🇸❤🇺🇸

Paul Allard

@Bob Mowreader my dad was in Vietnam in the Seabees two tours one in 67 one in 68

Paul Allard

@Bob Mowreader my dad in 67 was in dong ha. Seabees

Mike Laurie

Flight medic 69-70. Love this song

2 More Replies...

J Wing

Of all the memories that I have of my tour in Iraq, the memory of the concert put on by Chely Wright and her singing of this song in the summer of 2004 is one that will remain with me forever. It was one of the good memories of that time.

Olaf Elsberry

She's a wonderful country artist. Ms Wright always tells a wonderful story through music. Btw every time I hear this song I tear up.

Lauren Mckenna

As I am sitting in pain from my health issues stemming from my 20 years in the military, listening to the CMT Country music channel, writing out my favorite LovePop cards to friends & this song came on. Never listened to Chely before but this song touched my heart & cried because I can relate. It breaks my heart that civilian folks have no idea what we endure, give up, as well as what we take away with by our long lasting friendships and memories by serving our country while others here who have never served can mock us & call us names and yet have enjoyed their freedom for the price so many have paid for those to do so here in America. Chely, thank you for writing & sharing this, many thanks to your brother, father and grandfather in serving our fine country. Semper Fi from not only a retired female Navy veteran, but who has served in the Army military police, Army Guard and Air Force Guard. God Bless you and your family. Many thanks again.

Lauren McKenna
USN RET DESERT STORM VET
Chesterfield Virginia

Sue V

Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

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