Mighty Big Car
Fred Eaglesmith & The Flying Squirrels Lyrics


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Down on the corner, up on the avenue
People are pointin', calling out after you
Hands on their hips, their eyes gettin' wider
They can't believe the thing that yer drivin'

Twenty-eight feet from bumper to bumper
The last of the sweet old time gas guzzlers
Hard to drive harder to park But
When you do somebody remarks
That's a mighty big car
That's a mighty big car
That's a mighty big car

Elvis had one and so did Hank
It don't look like money
It looks like the bank
Makes a scene every time you stop it
Rides like a dream
Goes like a rocket
That's a mighty big car
That's a mighty big car
That's a mighty big car

Headlights thick as mason jars
Everybody says that it looks like Mars
Shiner than a country star
And nothing ever looked as good in your front yard
Brighter than an aluminum trailer
Curvy windshields and tinted mirrors
Grill looks like a cafe sign
And the whitewalls drive ya out of yer mind
That's a mighty big car




That's a mighty big car
That's a mighty big car

Overall Meaning

The song "Mighty Big Car" by Fred Eaglesmith is a playful ode to vintage cars, specifically the massive, gas-guzzling models of the past. The song describes a scene where people on the street are staring in awe at the car being driven, with thick headlights, curvy windshields, and a grill that looks like a cafe sign. The car is described as "hard to drive" and "harder to park," but its flashiness makes up for any difficulties. The lyrics reference famous musicians Elvis and Hank who also owned similarly impressive cars, highlighting the culture surrounding cars as a status symbol. Through the playful lyrics and upbeat tune, Eaglesmith celebrates the extravagance of vintage cars and highlights the role that they play in our cultural imagination.


At its core, "Mighty Big Car" is a tribute to a bygone era in American history, when cars were more than just utilitarian vehicles but works of art on wheels. The song celebrates the aesthetic of vintage cars with their massive frames, thick headlights, and shiny exteriors. The lyrics resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves gazing in awe at an iconic car cruising down the street, and who longs for a time when things were simpler and more colorful.


Line by Line Meaning

Down on the corner, up on the avenue
The car is causing a stir wherever it goes


People are pointin', calling out after you
Onlookers are amazed by the car's size and style


Hands on their hips, their eyes gettin' wider
People are in disbelief that such a car even exists


They can't believe the thing that yer drivin'
The car is so impressive that it's hard to believe someone actually owns it


Twenty-eight feet from bumper to bumper
The car is exceptionally long and substantial


The last of the sweet old time gas guzzlers
The car is one of the last traditional, gas-guzzling models


Hard to drive harder to park But
The car is difficult to maneuver, and even harder to park


When you do somebody remarks
People make comments when you finally park the car


Elvis had one and so did Hank
Even famous musicians owned cars like this in their heyday


It don't look like money
The car's appearance exudes more than just wealth, it screams excess


It looks like the bank
The car looks like a symbol of power representing a financial institution


Makes a scene every time you stop it
The car draws attention every time it pulls up somewhere


Rides like a dream
Despite its size, the car is smooth and easy to ride in


Goes like a rocket
The car accelerates with impressive speed and force


Headlights thick as mason jars
The car's headlights are a unique, heavy-duty design


Everybody says that it looks like Mars
People compare the car's appearance to an extraterrestrial landscape


Shiner than a country star
The car's shine rivals that of an A-list celebrity


And nothing ever looked as good in your front yard
The car looks amazing in front of your home and elevates the neighborhood


Brighter than an aluminum trailer
The car's shine is so bright it surpasses that of an aluminum trailer


Curvy windshields and tinted mirrors
The car's design features sleek, round windows and dark-tinted mirrors


Grill looks like a cafe sign
The car's grill design resembles a vintage coffee shop sign


And the whitewalls drive ya out of yer mind
The white-wall tires are so sleek and stylish that they captivate you


That's a mighty big car
The car's size and style make it an impressive and unforgettable machine




Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: Fred Elgersma

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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