Jonathan Richman began playing music and writing his own songs in the mid-1960s. In 1969 he moved to New York City, where he spent time living on the couch of The Velvet Underground's manager and working odd jobs while trying to break in as a professional musician. Failing at this, he returned to Boston. Having moved back, he formed The Modern Lovers. Other notable members of the group were keyboard player Jerry Harrison and drummer David Robinson, who later joined Talking Heads and The Cars, respectively. In 1972 they recorded a series of songs with John Cale producing, including the seminal "Roadrunner," which were eventually released on the group's sole album, Modern Lovers, in 1975.
Shortly after these recordings were made, Richman broke up the band and embarked on his long and eclectic solo career. For a while he continued recording under the "Modern Lovers" name (or rather, the more telling "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" appellation), but all the members were different, and in the new incarnation were essentially his backing band. The sound of the new group was considerably different as well, focusing on acoustic instrumentation rather than the prior electric guitars and drums. The album Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers was released in January 1977, Rock and Roll with the Modern Lovers followed a month later, and Modern Lovers Live in 1978.
In 1979 Richman finally went completely solo. That year's Back in Your Life was released under the "Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers" moniker, but this was true of only about half the disc—the rest was solo work. This album was probably the most extreme detour by Richman into eclecticism; after the odd but traditional acoustic rock of the previous albums, this one's solo tracks showed off a string bass and Glockenspiel as main instruments.A few years' hiatus ended in 1983 with Jonathan Sings!—memorably featuring a cover with Richman serenading a crowd wearing nothing but a guitar and neck strap. This was followed up with a series of pop efforts (Rockin' and Romance, It's Time for Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, and Modern Lovers 88 from 1985, 1986 and 1988 respectively). Soon after, he returned to swooping madly around the musical landscape: country music with 1990's Jonathan Goes Country, and Spanish translations of his earlier work (as well as traditional Spanish songs) with 1993's Jonathan, Te Vas a Emocionar!
Always possessing an ardent cult following, Richman has become better known in recent years thanks to a series of appearances on fan Conan O'Brien's show; also helping was a major part in the 1998 movie There's Something About Mary, where he played half of a two-man Greek chorus that commented on the movie while performing in the framed action itself.
He has continued his release schedule all along, with You Must Ask the Heart in 1995, Surrender to Jonathan in 1996, I'm So Confused in 1998, Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow in 2001 and Not So Much To Be Loved As To Love in 2004. In 1998 a live album of Modern Lovers recordings from the early '70s was released, Live at the Long Branch & More. There is also a DVD of a live performance Take me to the Plaza 2002. A tribute album, If I Were a Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001. In live 'solo' shows, he frequently tours with drummer Tommy Larkins, the other part of the two-man chorus mentioned above. He is a tremendously charismatic stage presence, and this has helped maintain his dedicated cult following.
Richman's work with the first incarnation of Modern Lovers is a major influence on punk rock. One critic called him the "Godfather of Punk". Artists as diverse as the Sex Pistols and Joan Jett have covered "Roadrunner". Boston ska-punk band, Big D and the Kids Table, have covered "New England" live and on their Gypsy Hill EP. A version of "Pablo Picasso" performed by Burning Sensations was included in the 1984 cult film, Repo Man. David Bowie covered "Pablo Picasso" on his album Reality. Velvet Underground founding member John Cale has a version of the song on his 1975 album, Helen of Troy, and continues to include the song in his live shows. Iggy Pop has performed "Pablo Picasso" live and wrote an extra verse for it. Echo and the Bunnymen covered "She Cracked" in concert in 1984 and 1985 and Siouxsie and the Banshees have a version of the song on Downside Up.
Richman's music has set the tone for many alternative rock bands, such as Violent Femmes, Galaxie 500, They Might Be Giants ("Roadrunner" reportedly inspired John Flansburgh to become a musician), Weezer, Tullycraft, Jens Lekman, singer Frank Black (who composed the tribute song "The Man Who Was Too Loud"), Brandon Flowers, Art Brut, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady & Lifter Puller and Nerf Herder who composed a song about him, titled "Jonathan", which appeared on the band's second album How To Meet Girls. British country rock band The Rockingbirds released the single "Jonathan, Jonathan" in tribute to Richman in 1992.
As a producer himself, Richman and drummer Tommy Larkin produced Vic Chesnutt's final album Skitter on Take-Off in 2009 which appeared on Vapor Records. Chesnutt opened for Richman at concerts many times during his later years.
"Roadrunner" is on the soundtrack of School of Rock. In the commentary, director Richard Linklater mentions it is often called "the first punk song" and wanted to include it for that reason, along with all the other seminal rock songs in that film.
A tribute album, If I Were a Richman: a Tribute to the Music of Jonathan Richman, was released by Wampus Multimedia in 2001.
Roadrunner
Jonathan Richman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roadrunner, roadrunner
Going faster miles an hour
Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop
With the radio on
I'm in love with Massachusetts
And the neon when it's cold outside
Got the radio on
I'm like the roadrunner
Alright
I'm in love with modern moonlight
128 when it's dark outside
I'm in love with Massachusetts
I'm in love with the radio on
It helps me from being alone late at night
It helps me from being lonely late at night
I don't feel so bad now in the car
Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Like the roadrunner
That's right
Said welcome to the spirit of 1956
Patient in the bushes next to '57
The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick
Suburban trees, suburban speed
And it smells like heaven(thunder)
And I say roadrunner once
Roadrunner twice
I'm in love with rock & roll and I'll be out all night
Roadrunner
That's right
Well now
Roadrunner, roadrunner
Going faster miles an hour
Gonna drive to the Stop 'n' Shop
With the radio on at night
And me in love with modern moonlight
Me in love with modern rock & roll
Modern girls and modern rock & roll
Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Like the roadrunner
O.K., now you sing Modern Lovers
(Radio On!)
I got the AM
(Radio On!)
Got the car, got the AM
(Radio On!)
Got the AM sound, got the
(Radio On!)
Got the rockin' modern neon sound
(Radio On!)
I got the car from Massachusetts, got the
(Radio On!)
I got the power of Massachusetts when it's late at night
(Radio On!)
I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts
I've got the world, got the turnpike, got the
I've got the, got the power of the AM
Got the, late at night, (?), rock & roll late at night
The factories and the auto signs got the power of modern sounds
Alright
Jonathan Richman's "Roadrunner" is an ode to cruising around Massachusetts with the radio on. In the first stanza, the singer proclaims his love for the state of Massachusetts and the neon lights that shine in the cold outside. He is driving on the highway at night, passing the Stop 'n' Shop with the radio on, feeling the road beneath his tires like the roadrunner, speeding along without a care in the world. He finds comfort in the radio, which keeps him from being alone and lonely.
In the second stanza, the singer continues to express his love for the modern world, taking pleasure in driving 128 when it's dark outside, listening to rock & roll and feeling alive. He then spouts off the iconic line "Welcome to the spirit of 1956, Patient in the bushes next to '57," which seems to be a reference to the birth of rock & roll in the late 1950s. The highway becomes a girlfriend and the world outside the window is alive with suburban trees moving by at suburban speed. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, the singer reaffirming his love for the road and the radio that keeps him company.
Line by Line Meaning
One two three for five six!
Counting in rhythm to kick off the song
Roadrunner, roadrunner
Referring to himself as the Roadrunner, an embodiment of the speed and freedom of the highway
Going faster miles an hour
Driving recklessly fast on the highway
Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop
Ignoring the mundane details of suburban life while cruising by
With the radio on
Music is a constant companion while driving
I'm in love with Massachusetts
Having a deep connection to his home state
And the neon when it's cold outside
Finding comfort in the bright lights of Massachusetts' cities, even in the winter
And the highway when it's late at night
Enjoying the solitude and freedom of driving on empty highways at night
Got the radio on
Repeating the importance of music as a driving companion
I'm like the roadrunner
Restating the opening line, highlighting his desire to embody speed and freedom
I'm in love with modern moonlight
Finding beauty in the moonlit drives of modern life
128 when it's dark outside
Referring to the highway 128 in Massachusetts, which is particularly enjoyable at night
I'm in love with the radio on
Reiterating that music is essential to feeling connected and happy while driving
It helps me from being alone late at night
Finding comfort in music during lonely driving experiences
It helps me from being lonely late at night
Music eases the feeling of loneliness, making even solo drives enjoyable
I don't feel so bad now in the car
Music makes driving feel like a positive experience, rather than a chore
Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
The radio is a source of companionship during solo drives
That's right
Expressing satisfaction with the current song and driving experience
Said welcome to the spirit of 1956
Referencing the era of rock and roll that he loves and embodies
Patient in the bushes next to '57
Waiting on the cusp of the next era of rock and roll
The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick
The fast-paced thrill of driving on the highway is compared to a lover
Suburban trees, suburban speed
Juxtaposing the slow pace of suburbia with the thrill of driving fast
And it smells like heaven(thunder)
The scent of rain combined with the thrill of driving feels like heaven
And I say roadrunner once
Repeating the title of the song, emphasizing the connection between driving and the Roadrunner persona
Roadrunner twice
Emphasizing the connection between himself and the Roadrunner persona
I'm in love with rock & roll and I'll be out all night
Infatuated with rock & roll, and planning to spend the entire night driving
Roadrunner
Repeating the title and emphasizing his love for driving fast
That's right
Repeating the phrase to emphasize his satisfaction with the song and driving experience
Going faster miles an hour
Repeating the line from earlier in the song, emphasizing the speed of his current drive
Gonna drive to the Stop 'n' Shop
Intending to stop at a convenient store before continuing on with the drive
With the radio on at night
Repeating the importance of music at all times while driving
And me in love with modern moonlight
Stating the love for the modern world's moonlight on the highways
Me in love with modern rock & roll
Reiterating the love for rock & roll and also connecting it to the modern era of music
Modern girls and modern rock & roll
Celebrating the new era of music and the people who enjoy it
Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Repeating the importance of music in staving off loneliness while driving
Like the roadrunner
Comparing himself once again to the Roadrunner, a symbol of speed and freedom
O.K., now you sing Modern Lovers
Inviting the listener to sing along with the classic song by the Modern Lovers
(Radio On!)
Referencing the importance of the radio and its energetic tone
I got the AM
Referring to the AM radio, a key component of old-school driving experiences
Got the car, got the AM
Combining the two elements that make for a classic driving experience
Got the AM sound, got the
Once again referring to the importance of the AM sound while driving
Got the rockin' modern neon sound
Celebrating the modern and contemporary sounds of music that combine with neon lighting and driving
I got the car from Massachusetts, got the
Referencing the grounding connection he has to his home state and car
I got the power of Massachusetts when it's late at night
Expressing the strong connection he has to driving in Massachusetts, especially late at night
I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts
Celebrating the new sounds and energy of modern-day Massachusetts
I've got the world, got the turnpike, got the
Feeling as though he has everything he needs while driving, including a sense of the world and freedom
I've got the, got the power of the AM
Repeating the importance of the AM radio while driving
Got the, late at night, (?), rock & roll late at night
Emphasizing his love for rock & roll, especially at night time when driving is even more thrilling
The factories and the auto signs got the power of modern sounds
Taking pride in the energy that modern factories and auto signs bring to driving
Alright
Ending the song with a sense of satisfaction and contentment
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@applescruff1969
The amount of not-giving-a-shit energy on this song is truly amazing.
@rollinlikebuer9059
Compared to the Sex Pistols cover it gives countless shits.
@nelsonhibbert5267
YEAH HE DIDN'T EVEN GIVE A SHIT IF IT WAS ANY GOOD.
@Celts18
The people in Boston are still trying to get home 45 years later.
@rtrepsas
Yeah, used to be the MTA back in the day. Now it’s Boston’s horrifically bad transit Service
@Pwecko
I come back to listen to this every so often. It is wonderful. There are very few songs that have an effect on me the way this one does. It's hypnotic, repetitive but constantly changing. I love it. I'm now pondering whether to have it played at my funeral.
@yolandehow
Definitely a good choice.
@kevinmoaratty9325
Brings back a lot of memories of my youth riding 128 listening to the AM radio in my cousin Donny s road runner or his brother 55 Chevy. Actually the RR belonged to my aunt who I'm convinced was the og little ole lady from Pasadena. She would roll up to you at a red light looking to race
@bibearfan
Of course you will.
@Pwecko
@@bibearfan I said I was pondering. I might go with Abide With Me instead.