I'm Not in Love
Elton John Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The machine of a dream
Such a clean machine
With the pistons a pumpin'
And the hub caps all gleam

When i'm holdin' your wheel
All i hear is your gear
When my hand's on your grease gun
Oh it's like a disease son

I'm in love with my car
Gotta feel for my automobile
Get a grip on my boy racer rollbar
Such a thrill when your radials squeal

Told my girl i'll have to forget her
Rather buy me a new carburetor
So she made tracks sayin'
This is the end now
Cars don't talk back
They're just four wheeled friends now

When i'm holdin your wheel
All i hear is your gear
When i'm cruisin' in overdrive
Don't have to listen to no run of the mill talk jive

I'm in love with my car
Gotta feel for my automobile




I'm in love with my car
String back gloves in my automolove

Overall Meaning

Elton John’s song “I’m Not in Love” tells the story of a man who is deeply in love with his car. The lyrics capture the enthusiasm and passion that this man feels for his automobile, describing it as a “machine of a dream” that is both clean and efficient. The man is particularly taken with the sounds of the car, from the pistons pumping to the grease gun spinning, and he becomes so enamored with these sounds that he even compares his love for them to a disease.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that this man is so obsessed with his car that he is willing to give up everything else in his life in order to have it. He tells his girlfriend that he would rather forget her and buy a new carburetor instead, ultimately leading to their relationship’s end. Through this decision, the man demonstrates how his love for the car has become all-consuming, and how he values his automobile above all else in his life.


In essence, “I’m Not in Love” is a love song that uses a car as a metaphor for the subject’s feelings. The lyrics paint an image of someone who is so completely taken by their car that it has replaced any other love interest in their life. The song highlights how objects can become objects of affection and obsession, and how even the most mundane things can take on deep and significant meanings for individuals.


Line by Line Meaning

The machine of a dream
Elton John is describing his car as a dream machine, something that he loves and has great admiration for.


Such a clean machine
Elton John emphasizes on how clean the car is, which gives the idea that he takes good care of his car and maintains it really well.


With the pistons a pumpin'
Elton John speaks of the sound his car makes as it's running, hinting at how much he loves the sound of the car's engine working.


And the hub caps all gleam
Elton John's car is well-maintained enough that even the hubcaps, which are often overlooked, shine with a gleam.


When I'm holdin' your wheel, All I hear is your gear
Elton John is so in love with his car that just by gripping the steering wheel, he can hear the sound of the gears turning, as if the car is a part of him.


When my hand's on your grease gun, Oh it's like a disease son
Elton John has an addictive love for working on his car. He can't help but compare his love for his car's grease gun with a disease, as if he's caught a bug called love for his car.


I'm in love with my car, Gotta feel for my automobile
Elton John repeats his love for his car a couple of times, emphasizing how insane his love is for his automobile. His car gives him a thrill and an amazing feel.


Get a grip on my boy racer rollbar, Such a thrill when your radials squeal
Elton John's car is equipped with a special rollbar, and it gives him an immense rush. He loves the sound of his tires squealing.


Told my girl I'll have to forget her, Rather buy me a new carburetor
Elton John would rather have his car than his girl. He'd give up anything to get a new carburetor for his car.


So she made tracks sayin', This is the end now
Elton John's girl left him after realizing that his love for his car was stronger than his love for her.


Cars don't talk back, They're just four-wheeled friends now
Elton John appreciates the fact that his car never talks back to him and is always there for him, like a true friend.


When I'm cruisin' in overdrive, Don't have to listen to no run of the mill talk jive
Elton John can escape everyday talk by cruising in his car in overdrive, where he can appreciate the sound of the engine and forget about everything else.


I'm in love with my car, Gotta feel for my automobile, I'm in love with my car, String back gloves in my automolove
Elton John ends the song by repeating how madly in love he is with his car and all the little things that make it special to him, such as the string back gloves in his automolove.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@vlhlanmawii9583

Lyrics😉

I'm not in love
So don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because
I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love, no no, it's because

I like to see you
But then again
That doesn't mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you
Don't make a fuss
Don't tell your friends about the two of us
I'm not in love, no no, it's because

I keep your picture
Upon the wall
It hides a nasty stain that's lying there
So don't you ask me
To give it back
I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me
I'm not in love, no no, it's because

Ooh you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh you'll wait a long time
Ooh you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh you'll wait a long time

I'm not in love
So don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love
I'm not in love



@thecostaexperience

I'm not in love
So don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because
I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made
I'm not in love, no no, it's because

I like to see you
But then again
That doesn't mean you mean that much to me
So if I call you
Don't make a fuss
Don't tell your friends about the two of us
I'm not in love, no no, it's because

'Be quiet, big boys don't cry
Big boys don't cry
Big boys don't cry
Big boys don't cry
Big boys don't cry
Big boys don't cry
Big boys don't cry

I keep your picture
Upon the wall
It hides a nasty stain that's lying there
So don't you ask me
To give it back
I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me
I'm not in love, no no, it's because

Ooh you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh you'll wait a long time
Ooh you'll wait a long time for me
Ooh you'll wait a long time

I'm not in love
So don't forget it
It's just a silly phase I'm going through
And just because I call you up
Don't get me wrong, don't think you've got it made, ooh
I'm not in love
I'm not in love



All comments from YouTube:

@MVPerry

The tsundere song

@zlatkoandronikov

Nightvision anyone?)

@belensevero4492

Hahahaha true!

@Xxgorevi38xX

NO ITS NOT U BAKA

@muhammadnajmimurindo9723

Male Tsundere

@projectnewwave6859

Bruh MVPerry your everywhere

9 More Replies...

@rudolphrmcallister

I remember..... Summer of 1976. 11 years old, waking up in my bed in the middle of the night with my radio on. And I was held hostage by the sound of this song.

@rudolphrmcallister

This dude is not in love. Ummm ok? Polygraph test results after the break.

@m.e.d.7997

This hit in Summer 1975.

@Ecosse57

i'm about the same age and had a similar experience. my clock radio was always on.

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