Stealing Cars
Nadine Shah Lyrics


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Oh, it's criminal
I'm stealing cars in my dreams
That neither you or I can drive
Passing the time away, cinema twice a day
Now, I'm now left to see
Put the guilt in me, my anxiety
Check your pulse when I speak
See me through it all
The rest is drenched in cold sweat nights
The words I never found to say
Masking humanity, here I'm looking for me
You're my hide away
Take the covers from me, naked for all to see
You handed me over
Oh, it's criminal
I'm stealing cars in my dreams
That neither you or I can drive
Passing the time away, cinema twice a day
Now, I'm now left to see
Put the guilt in me, my anxiety
Check your pulse when I speak

See me through it all
The rest is drenched in cold sweat nights
The words I never found to say
Masking humanity, here I'm looking for me
You're my hide away




Take the covers from me, naked for all to see
You handed me over

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nadine Shah's "Stealing Cars" suggest an internal struggle with anxiety and guilt. The dreamlike state of stealing cars is a metaphor for the singer's desire to escape from her thoughts and feelings, yet acknowledges that it is a crime to take something that is not hers. This juxtaposition of desire and guilt is further explored in the opening lines of the song, where she admits to stealing cars in her dreams which neither she nor her partner can drive.


The song goes on to describe a relationship where the singer has been handed over, suggesting a sense of betrayal. She places the blame for her anxiety and guilt on her partner, asking them to check their pulse when she speaks, implying that they are responsible for her stress. However, she also acknowledges that she is looking for herself within this relationship, as she describes living in a state where all emotions are masked, and she is searching for her own identity.


Overall, "Stealing Cars" is a poignant representation of the internal battles that one faces in relationships, including the desire to escape and the feeling of being handed over. The lyrics depict the singer's struggles with mental health and the need to find oneself in a world that is constantly changing.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, it's criminal
The actions I am taking in my dream are unlawful


I'm stealing cars in my dreams
In my dreams, I am taking possession of automobiles that do not belong to me without consent


That neither you or I can drive
The cars I am stealing in my subconscious are not within my or your ability to operate


Passing the time away, cinema twice a day
To fill the hours of my day, I am spending time watching two films daily


Now, I'm now left to see
The current situation has resulted in my feeling abandoned and without direction


Put the guilt in me, my anxiety
I am plagued with negative emotions of remorse and nervousness


Check your pulse when I speak
I am causing you to feel apprehensive and uneasy when I communicate with you


See me through it all
Please be with me and support me during this time


The rest is drenched in cold sweat nights
My nights are filled with fear and unease, causing me to wake up in cold sweats


The words I never found to say
I regret not speaking my mind and sharing my true feelings


Masking humanity, here I'm looking for me
I am struggling to find my true self due to societal pressures and expectations


You're my hide away
You are a safe and secure place for me to escape and hide from the world


Take the covers from me, naked for all to see
Expose my true nature and vulnerabilities to the world


You handed me over
You betrayed my trust and left me exposed and vulnerable




Contributed by Harper N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@spiralfire13

my first time listening! she sounds like Siouxsie Soux from the banshees! love it!

@patricksargent4476

I couldn't find the lyrics anywhere, either, so I listened to the song and wrote this down. I'm not certain about a couple words (naught might be none and 'masked in' might be 'I'm askin'), but I think this is pretty accurate.

Oh it's criminal

I'm stealing cars in my dreams

That neither you or I can drive

Passing the time away
Cinema twice a day

Now I've naught left to see but the guilt in me
My anxiety

Check your pulse when I speak

See me through it all

The restless drenched in coldsweat nights

The words I never found to say

Masked in humility
Hear they're Looking for me.

Now you're my hideaway
Take the covers from me
Naked for all to see

You handed me over

You handed me over


Oh it's criminal

I'm stealing cars in my dreams

That neither you or I can drive

Passing the time away
Cinema twice a day

Now I've naught left to see but the guilt in me
My anxiety

Check your pulse when I speak

Check your pulse when I – See me through it all

The restless drenched in coldsweat nights

The words I never found to say

Masked in humility
Hear they're Looking for me

Now you're my hideaway
Take the covers from me
Naked for all to see

You handed me over

So check your pulse when I speak

@AdamGonzebra

I tried my best of the best but here i am suffering from someone who doesn't even care about a human being only an animal but not a human being... 😒

@B_kinda

Can't find the lyrics anywhere.. Any help?

@patricksargent4476

Betsy Bissell check out my other post

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