Roadrunner
Jonathan Richman & Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers Lyrics

One, two, three, four, five, six
Counting the numbers in excitement of the journey ahead.

Roadrunner, roadrunner
The singer is going to embark on a journey, excited to hit the road.

Going faster miles an hour
The singer is driving really fast and enjoying the thrill.

Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop
The artist is skipping stops and driving straight ahead.

With the radio on
The artist is accompanied by some music on the radio.

I'm in love with Massachusetts
The singer has an affection for Massachusetts where they're from.

And the neon when it's cold outside
The singer admires the neon lights in Massachusetts during cold nights.

And the highway when it's late at night
The artist enjoys being on the highways of Massachusetts during late hours.

Got the radio on
The artist is listening to the radio for some company.

I'm like the roadrunner
The artist feels like the roadrunner, running freely and fast.

Alright
Confirming enthusiasm and excitement for the journey ahead.

I'm in love with modern moonlight
The artist enjoys the modern moonlight during night drives.

128 when it's dark outside
The singer refers to Route 128, a ring highway around Boston, and enjoys driving there during dark hours.

I'm in love with Massachusetts
The singer reiterates their love for their home state.

I'm in love with the radio on
The singer enjoys listening to music on the radio when they're driving.

It helps me from being alone late at night
The artist finds solace in the radio during lonely late-night drives.

Helps me from being lonely late at night
The radio serves as a companion and keeps the artist from feeling lonely during the night.

I don't feel so bad now in the car
The singer feels comforted and happier while driving.

Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
The singer doesn't feel alone as long as they have the radio on.

That's right
Confirming the artist's contentment and satisfaction.

Said welcome to the spirit of 1956
The artist is taking a nostalgic trip back in time to the style of 1956.

Patient in the bushes next to '57
The artist is alluding to the birth of rock and roll and the patience required to catch the new sound.

The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick
The singer personifies the highway as a partner in a fast-moving relationship.

Suburban trees, suburban speed
As the artist travels fast, the suburban landscape passes by quickly.

And it smells like heaven, I say
The singer is enjoying the fresh scent of nature while driving through the suburbs.

Roadrunner once
Referring to the titular character from the 'Looney Tunes' cartoon and the singer's connection to it.

Roadrunner twice
Repeating the above reference to signify the singer's fascination with speed and freedom like the roadrunner.

I'm in love with rock and roll and I'll be out all night
The artist is in love with rock and roll music and will be out all night listening to it while driving through Massachusetts.

Roadrunner
Repeating the metaphor of roadrunning and associated freedom.

That's right
The singer confirms their love for the journey, music, and sensations.

Well now
Continuing the journey and the story onwards.

Roadrunner, roadrunner
Repeating the theme of roadrunning and freedom.

Going faster miles an hour
Reiterating the thrill of driving fast.

Gonna drive to the Stop 'n' Shop
The artist is headed to the store on this journey.

With the radio on at night
Reiterating how the singer enjoys driving with music on the radio at night.

And me in love with modern moonlight
The artist is still reveling in the modern moonlight and its associated vibes.

Me in love with modern rock & roll
The singer reiterates their love for modern rock and roll music.

Modern girls and modern rock & roll
The singer indulges in modern girls and rock and roll music during this journey.

Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Reiterating how music keeps the singer feeling less lonely.

Like the roadrunner
Repeating the desire to be like the roadrunner, flourishing in freedom on the road.

O.K. now you sing Modern Lovers (Radio on!)
Invoking the listeners to sing along to the Modern Lovers' music with the radio on.

I got the AM
The singer is listening to AM radio during their drive.

Got the car, got the AM
The singer is listing out the things they have on this ride- a car and an AM radio for company.

Got the AM sound, got the
Reiterating the artist's love for AM radio sound.

Got the rockin' modern neon sound
This journey is accompanied by modern neon rock and roll music on the radio.

I got the car from Massachusetts, got the
The artist has a car from Massachusetts and lists it as their possession.

I got the power of Massachusetts when it's late at night
The singer feels empowered when they are driving their car on late nights in Massachusetts.

I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts
Reiterating the love for modern Massachusetts' sounds and vibes on this journey.

I've got the world, got the turnpike, got the
The singer owns the journey, the turnpike and anything ahead of them.

Got the, got the power of the AM
Reiterating how the AM radio fulfills the singer's need for company and companionship.

Got the, late at night, hit 'em wide, rock & roll late at night
The singer enjoys driving wide open while listening to rock & roll music late at night.

The factories and the auto signs got the power of modern sounds
Referring to the factories and auto billboards on the highway, the artist is immersed in the modern sounds of the road and its surroundings.

Alright
Confirming the artist's love and satisfaction for this journey of freedom, speed and music.

Right, bye bye!
Ending the journey, turning off the radio, and bidding goodbye with satisfaction and contentment.