John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.
One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.
John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!
From:Wikipedia
Took The Car
John Mayall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saw the flashing lights and saw them die
I left behind society that kills
Me and Nancy waved them all goodbye
I took the car, the sun was going down
Saw the changing colors of the sky
An old apache canyon our camp-ground
Took the car and drove off to the hills
Took it back and made of it a fire
To be a child again would be so good
Me and Nancy warm in our desire
Took the car and drove it everywhere
Through the land where all the west began
Desert wind was blowing in our hair
Me and Nancy running hand in hand
In John Mayall's song "Took The Car", the lyrics describe a journey away from society, to the freedom of the hills. The singer takes the car and drives off to the hills with Nancy. They leave behind society, with all its judgment and oppression, and find peace in nature. The flashing lights they see and then die could represent society's superficiality and its temporary nature.
The changing colors of the sky signal a shift in their perspective. They are no longer bound by the monotony and pressures of society, and have found a new appreciation for the beauty of the world around them. The mention of an "old apache canyon" reflects the importance of indigenous cultures and spirituality in finding oneself in nature. As they hold hands and run together, the sense of warmth, both physical and emotional, helps them forget the troubles they have left behind.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that Mayall is speaking of a deep longing to escape the strictures of society and truly feel alive. The song could also be seen as a call to escape from the rat race and consumerism that so many people feel trapped by. Whatever the interpretation, the lyrics of "Took The Car" are filled with hope and the promise of freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
I took the car and drove off to the hills
I left on a journey alone in my car towards the hills
Saw the flashing lights and saw them die
I witnessed some lights flash briefly before disappearing
I left behind society that kills
I abandoned society that is harmful to individuals
Me and Nancy waved them all goodbye
Nancy and I said farewell to everyone
I took the car, the sun was going down
I took my car when the sun was setting
Saw the changing colors of the sky
I observed the colors of the sky changing
An old apache canyon our camp-ground
We settled in an old Apache canyon for camping
Me and Nancy running hand in hand
Nancy and I ran together while holding hands
Took the car and drove off to the hills
I departed towards the hills, taking the car with me
Took it back and made of it a fire
I returned the car and turned it into a fire
To be a child again would be so good
I wish to revert to being a child again because it was fantastic
Me and Nancy warm in our desire
Nancy and I were passionate and affectionate towards each other
Took the car and drove it everywhere
I traveled anywhere and everywhere in the car
Through the land where all the west began
I drove through the beginning of the western region
Desert wind was blowing in our hair
As we drove through the desert, the wind blew our hair
Me and Nancy running hand in hand
Nancy and I ran together holding hands
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN MAYALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind