Roadrunner
Jonathan Richman; The Modern Lovers Lyrics

One-two-three-four-five-six!
Counting down to start the journey

Roadrunner, roadrunner
Enjoying the ride on the road

Going faster miles an hour
Driving at a high speed

Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop
Passing by a store along the way

With the radio on
Listening to music while driving

I'm in love with Massachusetts
Feeling a strong attachment to the state

And the neon when it's cold outside
Appreciating the neon lights in chilly weather

And the highway when it's late at night
Preferring to drive on highways at night

Got the radio on
Still listening to music

I'm like the roadrunner
Can relate to the fast-paced bird

Alright
Expression of confidence and enthusiasm for the journey

I'm in love with modern moonlight
Finds the modern moonlight fascinating

1:28 when it's dark outside
Admires the time when darkness falls

I'm in love with the radio on
Finds solace in listening to the radio

It helps me from being alone late at night
Listening to the radio prevents loneliness at night

Helps me from being lonely late at night
The radio serves as a companion at night

I don't feel so bad now in the car
Feels better in the car than in other places

Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
The radio prevents feelings of isolation

Like the roadrunner
Still identifies with the bird

That's right
Expression of agreement and conviction

Said welcome to the spirit of 1956
Introduction to the era of 1956

Patient in the bushes next to '57
Waiting patiently for the next era

The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick
Metaphor for the relationship between the driver and the road

Suburban trees, suburban speed
Encountering trees and houses in suburbia while driving

And it smells like heaven, I say
Enjoying the pleasant smell on the road

Roadrunner once
Recalling the bird again

Roadrunner twice
Mentioning the bird again for emphasis

I'm in love with rock & roll and I'll be out all night
Enjoys rock and plans to enjoy it all night long

Roadrunner
Referring to the song's title

That's right
Confirmation of what was said earlier

Well now
Starting a new section

Roadrunner, roadrunner
Repeating the title again

Going faster miles an hour
Still driving fast

Gonna drive to the Stop 'n' Shop
Heading back to the store mentioned earlier

With the radio on at night
Still listening to the radio

And me in love with modern moonlight
Still attracted to contemporary moonlight

Me in love with modern rock & roll
Still loves modern rock and roll

Modern girls and modern rock & roll
Preferring modern music and companions

Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Still feels less lonely with the radio on

Like the roadrunner
Still feels a connection to the bird

O.K. now you sing Modern Lovers
Inviting the listener to sing out loud

(Radio On!)
Reference to the previous lines about listening to the radio

I got the AM
Specifically tuned in to an AM station

(Radio On!)
Repeating the reference to the radio

Got the car, got the AM
Emphasizing the presence of both the radio and car

(Radio On!)
Mentioning radio again

Got the AM sound, got the
Likes the sound of AM radio

(Radio On!)
Radio mentioned once again

Got the rockin' modern neon sound
Enjoys the sound of modern music

(Radio On!)
Repeating radio reference with more excitement

I got the car from Massachusetts, got the
Still in love with the state and car

(Radio On!)
Radio remains on

I got the power of Massachusetts when it's late at night
Empowered by Massachusetts at night

(Radio On!)
Radio still on

I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts
Likes modern sounds of Massachusetts

I've got the world, got the turnpike, got the
Feels like they have everything they need

got the power of the AM
Feels empowered by AM radio

Got the, late at night, hit 'em wide, rock & roll late at night
Likes driving and listening to rock at night

The factories and the auto signs got the power of modern sounds
Enjoys the sound of industrial and automobile signs

Alright
Expression of agreement and satisfaction

Right, bye bye!
Ending the song