Traffic
Kimberly Dunn Lyrics

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Bumper to bumper, Feels like a hundred miles to go.
Running on empty and static on the radio.
And my phone is dead, got nothing left but the thoughts in my head doing their best to keep me moving down this road.
I've had a lot of time to think sitting here in traffic you're no good for me just another bad habit.
Who knew a sea of taillights could help me realize that I've had it.
Thank God for traffic.
Said I would come on over and take you back and work it out.
But that pileup on the shoulders got a reason for slowing me down, What am I doing?

You're still a liar.
Don't be stupid, playing with fire.
Next exit, I'm turning around.
Cause I've had a lot of time to think sitting here in traffic you're no good for me just another bad habit.
Who knew a sea of taillights could help me realize that I've had it.
Thank God for traffic.
Holding me up, holding me up, keeping me from getting stuck.
I've had a lot of time to think sitting here in traffic you're no good for me just another bad habit.
Who knew a sea of taillights could help me realize...
That I've had a lot of time to think sitting here in traffic you're no good for me just another bad habit who knew a sea of taillights could help me realize that I've had it.

Thank God for traffic.
Thank God for traffic.

Overall Meaning

The opening line "Bumper to bumper, Feels like a hundred miles to go" sets the tone for this song about feeling trapped in both traffic and a relationship. The singer is stuck in traffic, running on empty, and with nothing to distract them except their own thoughts. They reflect on their relationship and come to the realization that it's just another bad habit that they need to break. The traffic sets a metaphorical backdrop for the singer's epiphany - that sometimes, it takes being held up to take a good look at oneself and see the truth.

As the song progresses, the singer becomes more certain about their decision to turn around and leave the relationship, saying "Next exit, I'm turning around." They acknowledge the other person's faults, calling them a liar and cautioning themselves not to play with fire. The chorus repeats the idea that traffic is actually a good thing, holding them up and saving them from getting stuck in a bad relationship. The song ends with the same phrase it began with - "Thank God for traffic" - reinforcing the idea that a situation that seems like an annoyance or delay can actually be a blessing in disguise.

Overall, "Traffic" is a cleverly written song that uses a common annoyance (traffic) as a metaphor for relationship problems. It tells a relatable story about realizing that sometimes the things we think are good for us are actually holding us back.

Line by Line Meaning

Bumper to bumper, Feels like a hundred miles to go.
The traffic is so bad that it feels like the journey is never-ending.

Running on empty and static on the radio.
The singer is feeling tired with nothing to keep her entertained.

And my phone is dead, got nothing left but the thoughts in my head doing their best to keep me moving down this road.
The singer has no means of distracting herself and is left with only her thoughts.

I've had a lot of time to think sitting here in traffic you're no good for me just another bad habit.
The artist has used the time in traffic as an opportunity to reflect and realizes that the person she was planning to visit is not good for her.

Who knew a sea of taillights could help me realize that I've had it.
The artist is surprised that being surrounded by many other cars in traffic has helped her come to this realization.

Thank God for traffic.
The singer is thankful for the opportunity to reflect and re-evaluate her situation.

Said I would come on over and take you back and work it out.
The singer had initially intended to visit the person with the intention of getting back together and working things out.

But that pileup on the shoulders got a reason for slowing me down, What am I doing?
The artist is stuck in traffic due to an accident and begins to question her decision to visit the person.

You're still a liar.
The artist is referring to the person she was planning to visit and calling them a liar.

Don't be stupid, playing with fire.
The artist is warning herself not to fall back into old patterns and to avoid getting hurt again.

Next exit, I'm turning around.
The singer has decided to change her plans and go back home instead of visiting the person.

Holding me up, holding me up, keeping me from getting stuck.
The traffic is a hindrance to the artist, but it's also keeping her from getting stuck in an unhealthy situation.

Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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