That's What Makes the Jukebox Play
Miranda Lambert Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

For the stranger drinking anger
On the rocks at the end of the bar
For the Carolines sipping their wine
Hoping this is where the good ones are
For the lovers making out in a corner booth
For the one over there, don't think I didn't notice you

That's what makes the jukebox play
When you live like neon
There's a song you can lean on
That's what makes the jukebox play
When the night won't end
'Cause it plays over and over and over again

For the belt buckle shiner
She's starting all the fires in her Levi jeans
For the one who doesn't come here anymore
'Cause he's getting over me
For the one stirring up her emotions
In the ice with her fingertips
She showed up with somebody
But that ain't who she's leaving with

That's what makes the jukebox play
When you live like neon
There's a song you can lean on
That's what makes the jukebox play
When the night won't end
'Cause it plays over and over and over again

For my old dive bar with the hand drawn heart
Hanging lonely on the bathroom door
For the old dance hall with the mirror ball
Throwing starlight on the floor

That's what makes the jukebox play
When you live like neon
There's a song you can lean on
That's what makes the jukebox play
When the night won't end
'Cause it plays over and over and over again (ooh)





It plays over and over and over
(Oh, oh yeah, ooh)

Overall Meaning

The song "That's What Makes the Jukebox Play" by Miranda Lambert speaks about the power of music to bring people together in a dive bar. The lyrics describe different characters that come to the bar and the reasons why they are there. Some drink in anger, while others come hoping to find love. There are also those who use the jukebox as a means to escape from reality, at least for a few moments. Lambert sings about the things that make the bar what it is, such as the belt buckle shiner who's always starting fires, the old dance hall with the mirror ball, and the hand-drawn heart on the bathroom door.


Overall, the song is about the experiences and emotions that people bring to a bar, and how music can bring everyone together. The line "when you live like neon" suggests that people who frequent dive bars are often living their lives in bright and colorful ways, and the music in the background is what completes the picture. Despite what brings them to the bar, the jukebox and the music it plays is the one constant that everyone can enjoy.


In conclusion, "That's What Makes the Jukebox Play" is a song about the universal experience of going to a dive bar and the power of music to unite people from all walks of life.


Line by Line Meaning

For the stranger drinking anger On the rocks at the end of the bar
The person drinking alone at the end of the bar and nursing their anger.


For the Carolines sipping their wine Hoping this is where the good ones are
The women who are looking for a good time and hoping to find it at the bar.


For the lovers making out in a corner booth For the one over there, don't think I didn't notice you
Couples who are engaged in their own world and the person secretly watching them.


That's what makes the jukebox play When you live like neon There's a song you can lean on That's what makes the jukebox play When the night won't end 'Cause it plays over and over and over again
The atmosphere of the bar, the people, and the music that brings everyone together and keeps the night going.


For the belt buckle shiner She's starting all the fires in her Levi jeans
The woman who is confident and knows how to light up the room.


For the one who doesn't come here anymore 'Cause he's getting over me
The person who used to frequent the bar but no longer does because they are trying to move on from a past love.


For the one stirring up her emotions In the ice with her fingertips She showed up with somebody But that ain't who she's leaving with
The woman who is trying to sort out her feelings and ends up leaving with someone other than who she came with.


For my old dive bar with the hand drawn heart Hanging lonely on the bathroom door For the old dance hall with the mirror ball Throwing starlight on the floor
The memories and nostalgia associated with the old bars and dance halls that hold a special place in our hearts.


It plays over and over and over (Oh, oh yeah, ooh)
The repetition of the music and the familiarity it brings, which allows us to lose ourselves in the moment.




Lyrics © CTM Outlander Music LC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Nicole Hemby

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@briannabush8354

Lyrics

For the stranger drinking anger on the rocks at the end of the bar
For the Carolines sipping their wine hoping this is where the good ones are
For the lovers making out in a corner booth
For the one over there, don't think I didn't notice you

That's what makes the jukebox play
When you live like neon
There's a song you can lean on
That's what makes the jukebox play
When the night won't end
'Cause it plays over and over and over again

For the belt buckle shiner, she's starting all the fires in her Levi jeans
For the one who doesn't come here anymore 'cause he's getting over me
For the one stirring up her emotions in the ice with her fingertips
She showed up with somebody but that ain't who she's leaving with

That's what makes the jukebox play
When you live like neon
There's a song you can lean on
That's what makes the jukebox play
When the night won't end
'Cause it plays over and over and over again

For my old dive bar with the hand drawn heart. hanging lonely on the bathroom door
For the old dance hall with the mirror ball throwing starlight on the floor

That's what makes the jukebox play
When you live like neon
There's a song you can lean on
That's what makes the jukebox play
When the night won't end
'Cause it plays over and over and over again

It plays over and over and over



All comments from YouTube:

@denisedwyer4929

The things she does with her voice in this song are just absolutely beautiful... I love this whole album... this is so far beyond lit it's not even funny. Miranda be proud of this album you done good girl.

@krr74

This might be my new favorite Miranda album. Every song is so good

@Carolina.R.

🙏🏼🤠💚🇧🇷

@Carolina.R.

YES. We love You , Miranda.

@Makinplans1

I have loved watching you grow over the years. Always amazing, always true to yourself, and firecracker with a sweet soul. Love this chapter. Love looks good on you. Love and light to you and Brendan. 🤤🤩😍❤️🎶

@suzannecampbell2260

I love this young woman. She’s beautiful,talented as well as smart. Your loss Blake.🦋🦋🦋🐞🐞

@Makinplans1

Suzanne Campbell She is our modern day Dolly. ❤️🎶 she’s way better off without that loser. 🤣

@cherylferguson3874

Definitely Blake loss, she can sing anything and sounds sweet 🥰

@elizabethoneill7862

Yeah your loss BLAKE. SHES IS TOTALLY AMAZING. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING. SHES 38….Gwen..52. Man your sick. Another 71/2 years she will be 60 yrs old pensioner.

2 More Replies...

@jackijochum9182

I'm gonna listen to this one over & over, & over again!!! Can't get enough! I'm in loveeee 🥰

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