Paddy McAloon on this song:
… Read Full Bio ↴This is track #2 from the album.
Paddy McAloon on this song:
"'Cars and Girls' isn't an anti-rock song. It's simply saying to Bruce Springsteen that his metaphor for everything ('life's a highway') just isn't big enough to include all the complexity and sadness in the world." - NME, March 25, 1989
Cars And Girls
Prefab Sprout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or they never begin. innocence coming to grief
At the hands of life - stinkin' car thief, that's my concept of sin
Does heaven wait all heavenly over the next horizon '
But look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, what adds up the way it did when we were young '
Look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt much more than cars and girls.
Life's a drive through a dust bowl, what's it do, do to a young soul
We are deeply concerned, someone stops for directions,
Something responds deep in our engines, we have all been burned
Will heaven wait all heavenly over the next horizon '
But look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, what adds up the way it did when we were young '
Look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt much more than cars and girls.
Little boy got a hot rod, thinks it makes him some kind of new god
Well this is one race he won't win,
'cos life's no cruise with a cool chick
Too many folks feelin' car sick, but it never pulls in.
Brucie's thoughts - pretty streamers
- guess this world needs it's dreamers may they never wake up.
But look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, what adds up the way it did when we were young '
Look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt much more than cars and girls.
But look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, what adds up the way it did when we were young ''
Look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt much more than cars and girls.
The lyrics to Prefab Sprout's "Cars And Girls" are a reflection on the fleeting nature of youth and the realities of life that we all eventually face. The song starts with the singer lamenting how life's roads seem to bypass his way or never begin, expressing his frustration with how innocence can meet an unfortunate end at the hands of life. He compares this to the concept of sin, implying that life's harsh realities are almost like a punishment. The question of whether heaven waits for us over the horizon is a recurring motif in the song, hinting at a desire for something beyond the mundane.
However, as the song progresses, the singer seems to come to terms with the fact that things change as we get older. Life becomes a dusty drive through an inhospitable environment, leaving its mark on young souls. The reference to a "hot rod" and a "cool chick" suggests the trappings of youth and rebellion, but the reality is that life is not always fun and games. The image of "too many folks feelin' car sick" indicates that we are all affected by life's twists and turns, even if we once thought we were invincible.
In the end, the singer urges us to stop driving and start counting, to take stock of what really matters. Some things hurt much more than cars and girls, and the weight of truth eventually catches up with us all.
Line by Line Meaning
Brucie dreams life's a highway too many roads bypass my way
Life's path seems predetermined and Brucie dreams of a life where he can take any road he chooses, but in reality, many roads bypass him and he is left with limited options.
Or they never begin. innocence coming to grief
Opportunities for new beginnings are rare, and when innocence is lost, it causes pain and sorrow.
At the hands of life - stinkin' car thief, that's my concept of sin
To the singer, the worst sin is when life steals someone's innocence, like a car thief stealing a car.
Does heaven wait all heavenly over the next horizon '
The idea of heaven waiting beyond the horizon suggests that there is a better life waiting for us, but we must keep moving forward to reach it.
But look at us now, quit driving, some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
The artist realizes that life is not just about driving and chasing after cars and girls, as there are more important things in life that can cause greater pain and hurt.
Just look at us now, start counting, what adds up the way it did when we were young '
The singer encourages us to reflect on our past and see if the things that mattered to us then still matter to us now, and if they do, to hold onto them tightly.
Life's a drive through a dust bowl, what's it do, do to a young soul
Life can be difficult and dusty, and it can take a toll on a young soul.
We are deeply concerned, someone stops for directions,
When we are lost and uncertain, we seek guidance and direction from others.
Something responds deep in our engines, we have all been burned
Even when we try to move forward and make changes, our past experiences and failures can still deeply affect us.
Little boy got a hot rod, thinks it makes him some kind of new god
The artist describes a young boy with a fast car who thinks he is invincible and powerful because of it.
Well this is one race he won't win,
The singer acknowledges that in the end, the race of life cannot be won by simply having a fast car or material possessions.
'cos life's no cruise with a cool chick
Life is not always easy or enjoyable, even with someone we think is cool or attractive by our side.
Too many folks feelin' car sick, but it never pulls in.
Despite the discomfort and sickness that some experience in life, they are unable to stop or pull over and take a break.
Brucie's thoughts - pretty streamers
The singer imagines the optimistic and hopeful thoughts of someone like Brucie, who keeps moving forward despite the challenges and setbacks of life.
- guess this world needs it's dreamers may they never wake up.
The singer hopes that dreamers like Brucie will continue to dream and imagine a better world, even if it means not facing reality.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PADDY MCALOON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@braddietzmusic2429
I’m 49 now. I just heard this song for the first time today- November 2nd, 2022. I don’t know how that happened that I went all this time without ever hearing this fantastic song before.
I know if I’d have ever heard it before, it would have caught my ear like it does now. While the music I like now has dramatically expanded, I know this song has so many elements and features of music I’ve always liked.
In addition, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song from this band before. And I lived through all of the 1980s and have memories of every calendar year in that decade, many of them music-centric.
There’s nothing about this song that is particularly alternative or edgy or outside of the musical mainstream at the time that would suggest this song wouldn’t have been all over the radio. And yet I’ve never heard it until today.
Some things cannot be easily squared or understood.
@Anne-em6dq
Sure nobody will read this as most comments are much older. The 80's were my decade. The music, the freedom the absolute joy. Even though I cannot walk anymore due to poor health I remember dancing at the disco to this song, unfettered & joyous. Those were the days and I lived them. Thankyou Prefab, your music made my life wonderful
@billstock3663
some of us still reading the comments and I'm right there with you..the 80's were also my decade the best times of my life by far inspite of a less than ideal childhood. Looking back it's kinda bittersweet but I would still go back to it in a heartbeat.
@fabricechaplin4536
I'm with you on that (from France). Same decade, same feelings... if I could go back there, I'd do it. But as Epicure/Lucrece say, you can't live in the past or the future, we live the instant. Spent part of the afternoon with Steve Mc Queen though, and I was back in time... cheers from Brittany coast !
@robertjohnson1602
I'm with you too. I'm now 62 and undoubtedly 1980-2000 were the fun times. The 80's made you feel invincible and that time would never end. But it does and it's nice to reminisce now and then.
@mortisxx5712
Some of us read, but sometimes, YouTubes algorithms are not working :) This is a wonderful song, and Prefab Sprout has made quite a few classic songs, of which this is one of them. Next time, try "Who is still listening to this in 2023" 🤣🤣
@eltiolatranca
Yo si te he leído. En su día, me compré este LP.
@victoriasage8613
Just read an interview with Rod Stewart who stated that this is his favourite song. That just made my heart soar. Happy Valentine's Day to all the Prefab Sprout lovers of the world! 💘
@thierrykormann8848
Quit driving, Start counting...
@ed1907-cl2bj
Wow, that's a serious endorsement... ❤😊
@ed1907-cl2bj
Mine too... From Italy.