Roadrunner
RICHMAN Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One two three for five six!

Roadrunner, roadrunner
Going faster miles an hour
Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop
With the radio on
I'm in love with Massachusetts
And the neon when it's cold outside
And the highway when it's late at night
Got the radio on
I'm like the roadrunner

Alright
I'm in love with modern moonlight
128 when it's dark outside
I'm in love with Massachusetts
I'm in love with the radio on
It helps me from being alone late at night
It helps me from being lonely late at night
I don't feel so bad now in the car
Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Like the roadrunner
That's right

Said welcome to the spirit of 1956
Patient in the bushes next to '57
The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick
Suburban trees, suburban speed
And it smells like heaven(thunder)
And I say roadrunner once
Roadrunner twice
I'm in love with rock & roll and I'll be out all night
Roadrunner
That's right

Well now
Roadrunner, roadrunner
Going faster miles an hour
Gonna drive to the Stop 'n' Shop
With the radio on at night
And me in love with modern moonlight
Me in love with modern rock & roll
Modern girls and modern rock & roll
Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Like the roadrunner
O.K., now you sing Modern Lovers

(Radio On!)
I got the AM
(Radio On!)
Got the car, got the AM
(Radio On!)
Got the AM sound, got the
(Radio On!)
Got the rockin' modern neon sound
(Radio On!)
I got the car from Massachusetts, got the
(Radio On!)
I got the power of Massachusetts when it's late at night
(Radio On!)
I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts
I've got the world, got the turnpike, got the
I've got the, got the power of the AM
Got the, late at night, (?), rock & roll late at night




The factories and the auto signs got the power of modern sounds
Alright

Overall Meaning

"Roadrunner" is a song by American rock band The Modern Lovers, written by the band's frontman Jonathan Richman. The song is an ode to Massachusetts, the state that Richman grew up in, and his love for driving and listening to music on the radio. The lyrics describe the feeling of freedom and escape that comes with driving on the highway, late at night, with the radio on, and the neon lights of Massachusetts illuminating the way. Richman's love for rock and roll is also present, as he sings about being "in love with rock & roll" and staying out all night.


The song's structure is quite simple, with a repetitive melody and rhythm that mimics the sound of a car on the highway. The lyrics are filled with imagery that paints a vivid picture of the experience of driving on the highway - suburban trees and suburban speed, the smell of heaven, and the power of modern sounds. The line "the highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick" is particularly poignant, as it expresses the sense of companionship and comfort that driving on the highway can provide.


Line by Line Meaning

One two three for five six!
Counting up numbers in a musical manner, trying to keep pace with the beat of the song.


Roadrunner, roadrunner
Addressing the fictional character, Roadrunner, who is known for its exceptional speed and agility.


Going faster miles an hour
Driving at an exceptionally high speed, possibly exceeding the speed limit or any rational limit out of enthusiasm.


Gonna drive past the Stop 'n' Shop
Placing emphasis on the act of driving without stopping for anything, making drives long and uninterrupted while jamming to music.


With the radio on
Listening to the radio which serves as a companion and helps in relieving loneliness during long drives.


I'm in love with Massachusetts
Expressing the love for the state Massachusetts for its radio music, neon signs, and highways.


And the neon when it's cold outside
Falling in love with the beauty of neon lights glittering in the cold and dark weather, creating an enchanting atmosphere.


And the highway when it's late at night
Admiring the serenity of the road and the highway almost deserted at night time to drive around freely without any obstacles.


Got the radio on
Continuing to listen to the radio, which is now a constant companion and source of happiness.


I'm like the roadrunner
Identifying as the character Roadrunner, who symbolizes speed and liveliness.


Alright
An exclamation used to acknowledge or signal assent to something.


I'm in love with modern moonlight
Admiring the beauty of natural light during the night, which has a modern yet serene ambience.


128 when it's dark outside
Reveling in the beauty of the highway 128 at night time when it is quiet, and there is no one around for miles.


I'm in love with the radio on
Falling in love with the radio for its ability to make long drives much more enjoyable and soothing.


It helps me from being alone late at night
Using the radio as a companion to overcome loneliness while driving late at night.


It helps me from being lonely late at night
The radio serves as a source of comfort, which helps to alleviate feelings of solitude during late-night driving.


I don't feel so bad now in the car
The radio is a mood enhancer that helps to keep the spirits high, thereby improving the experience of driving.


Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
The radio keeps one company, ensuring that the drivers do not feel alone even on long, lonesome drives.


Like the roadrunner
Once again identifying as Roadrunner and living life to the fullest like that character.


That's right
An exclamation used to reinforce the veracity or accuracy of a statement or opinion.


Said welcome to the spirit of 1956
Transporting listeners to 1956, an era in which rock & roll music and long drives were highly celebrated.


Patient in the bushes next to '57
Painting a vivid picture of drivers waiting patiently in the bushes by the highway in 1957, enjoying rock music and long drives.


The highway is your girlfriend as you go by quick
Comparing the experience of driving on an open, deserted highway to the intensely romantic and exhilarating experience of being with a loved one.


Suburban trees, suburban speed
Driving at high speed through the suburbs, enjoying the cool and peaceful environment, surrounded by trees.


And it smells like heaven(thunder)
The atmosphere is so serene and lovely that it feels almost otherworldly, likening it to the peace found in heaven.


And I say roadrunner once
Repeating the chorus to reinforce the theme of freedom, speed, and living life to the fullest like the character Roadrunner.


Roadrunner twice
Further reinforcing the chorus and emphasizing why the Roadrunner is a relatable character in this context.


I'm in love with rock & roll and I'll be out all night
Being enthusiastic about rock music and keeping up all night to enjoy the long drives and the feeling of freedom it brings.


Roadrunner
Once again repeating the chorus to reinforce the theme of freedom and speed.


That's right
An exclamation used to reinforce the veracity or accuracy of a statement or opinion.


Well now
An interjection, used to command attention or to show interest in what is to follow.


Going faster miles an hour
Repeating the speed and enthusiasm of driving at a high pace to symbolize living life to the fullest.


Gonna drive to the Stop 'n' Shop
Continuing to drive without stopping for anything, forging ahead on the journey with the radio on.


With the radio on at night
Continuing to find comfort and companionship in the radio during late-night drives.


And me in love with modern moonlight
Further admiring the beauty of modern moonlight and its calming influence.


Me in love with modern rock & roll
Being extremely passionate about modern rock music and its ability to generate joy and excitement in long drives.


Modern girls and modern rock & roll
Celebrating the modern era of music and the freedom to enjoy it with modern girls, who share the same passions.


Don't feel so alone, got the radio on
Acknowledging the power of radio as a source of support and companionship during solitary drives.


Like the roadrunner
Once again identifying with the fictional character Roadrunner, who represents freedom and speed in the context of long drives enjoyment.


O.K., now you sing Modern Lovers
Asking listeners to participate in singing Modern Lovers, considering the song's theme is built around living life to the fullest during long drives.


(Radio On!)
An interjection, used to command attention or directive for a specific action, in this case, turning the radio on.


I got the AM
Celebrating the presence of AM radio in the car, which provides access to music and other entertainment during the drive.


Got the car, got the AM
Emphasizing the importance of having a car and a working AM radio to enjoy the long drives to their fullest potential.


Got the AM sound, got the
Reinforcing the importance of AM radio and how it enhances the experience of driving to the fullest potential.


Got the rockin' modern neon sound
Embrace the modern, lively nature of neon sounds and celebrating their influence in enhancing the experience of long drives.


I got the car from Massachusetts, got the
Taking pride in owning a car from Massachusetts and further showing love for the state and all it has to offer while on long drives.


I got the power of Massachusetts when it's late at night
Showing admiration for the power of Massachusetts that comes alive at night, especially during long drives, providing a calming and serene environment.


I got the modern sounds of modern Massachusetts
Taking pride in the modern sounds of Massachusetts, especially during long drives that generate joy, excitement, and pleasure.


I've got the world, got the turnpike, got the
Embracing and celebrating the world and the turnpike, which provide endless opportunity for exploration, discovery, and adventure.


I've got the, got the power of the AM
Acclaiming the power of AM, which helps to alleviate loneliness and enhances the overall enjoyment of long drives.


Got the, late at night, (?), rock & roll late at night
Taking pleasure in the excitement and joy of modern rock & roll, which comes alive most profoundly during late-night drives when the world is calm and quiet.


The factories and the auto signs got the power of modern sounds
Being in awe of the power of modern sounds from factories and auto signs, which intensify and magnify the pleasure of long drives.


Alright
An exclamation expressing enthusiasm or agreement, signaling the end of the song.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@applescruff1969

The amount of not-giving-a-shit energy on this song is truly amazing.

@rollinlikebuer9059

Compared to the Sex Pistols cover it gives countless shits.

@nelsonhibbert5267

YEAH HE DIDN'T EVEN GIVE A SHIT IF IT WAS ANY GOOD.

@Celts18

The people in Boston are still trying to get home 45 years later.

@rtrepsas

Yeah, used to be the MTA back in the day. Now it’s Boston’s horrifically bad transit Service

@Pwecko

I come back to listen to this every so often. It is wonderful. There are very few songs that have an effect on me the way this one does. It's hypnotic, repetitive but constantly changing. I love it. I'm now pondering whether to have it played at my funeral.

@yolandehow

Definitely a good choice.

@kevinmoaratty9325

Brings back a lot of memories of my youth riding 128 listening to the AM radio in my cousin Donny s road runner or his brother 55 Chevy. Actually the RR belonged to my aunt who I'm convinced was the og little ole lady from Pasadena. She would roll up to you at a red light looking to race

@bibearfan

Of course you will.

@Pwecko

@@bibearfan I said I was pondering. I might go with Abide With Me instead.

More Comments

More Versions