Captain
Shapes of Race Cars Lyrics
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That's how they're proud of you
That's all about
Like a race car im driving throught
Never without you
Never with... you
Captain take me to the wheel
Pretty hearts should never die
Captain take me to the...
We built a screen
Out of watching you
Just to see through
Just to see behind the screen
And we'll shoot the moon
To be like you
Just to be you
Yeah, just to be you
Captain take me to the wheel
Electric plans in summer field
Pretty hearts should never die
Captain take me to the...
Kept a word
Of you and I
We can start
Or we will die
I love the world
And it will know
Captain i don't wanna go
Too soon, too soon, no!
Captain take me to the wheel
Electric plans in summer field
Pretty hearts that never die
Captain take me to the...
Sky!
Kept a word
Of you and I
We can start
And we do fly
Love the world
And it will know
Captain i don't want to go
What we say, la la la la, no...
The song "Captain" by Shapes of Race Cars appears to be about a person who is highly regarded and admired. The lyrics suggest that the person is like a race car, always in motion and never stagnant or predictable. The singer, who addresses this person as "Captain," wants to be taken under their wing and shown the way, like a ship set to sail with a trusted captain at the helm.
The first verse talks about how "they" are proud of the person, likely referring to a larger community or society that sees them as a source of inspiration. The image of a "ballroom heel" suggests that the person is elegant, refined, and highly skilled, like a ballroom dancer gliding across the dance floor. The second verse mentions a screen that is built to watch the person, perhaps alluding to the idea of celebrity culture and how we often obsess over public figures. The chorus repeats the requests for the captain to take the singer to the wheel and lead them to new places, with the line "pretty hearts should never die" suggesting that they want to experience beauty and passion in life.
The bridge lyrics about "keeping a word" and starting or dying seem to hint at the idea that taking action and following through with your promises is key to living a fulfilling life. The repeated line "I love the world and it will know" suggests that the singer wants to make a mark on the world and leave behind a positive legacy. The song ends with a plea for the captain not to let them go too soon, indicating that they are not finished with their journey yet.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a face with a ballroom heel
There is someone who presents themselves as refined and polished
That's how they're proud of you
That's the standard that is expected and celebrated
That's all about
It's all surface level, lacking depth and meaning
Like a race car im driving throught
Moving quickly and with direction, as if racing towards something
Never without you
Always in need of that thing or person to move forward
Never with... you
Despite needing that thing or person, it is not truly present
Captain take me to the wheel
Someone else take control and lead the way
Electric plans in summer field
Exciting, ambitious ideas in a setting typically associated with being peaceful and relaxed
Pretty hearts should never die
Beautiful, kind people should not be lost or forgotten
Captain take me to the...
Continuation of the request for guidance
We built a screen
We constructed a facade or barrier
Out of watching you
Based on observing and admiring someone else
Just to see through
In order to reveal the truth behind the facade or barrier
Just to see behind the screen
Further clarification of the purpose of the facade or barrier
And we'll shoot the moon
We will aim high and take big risks
To be like you
Attempting to emulate and imitate that admired person
Just to be you
Restating the previous line for emphasis
Yeah, just to be you
Reinforcing the desire to be like the person being admired
Kept a word
Made a promise or commitment
Of you and I
Between two people
We can start
There is potential for a new beginning
Or we will die
If things don't change, it could lead to negative consequences
I love the world
There is an appreciation for the broader picture or larger community
And it will know
The feeling is genuine and meant to be expressed openly to others
Captain i don't wanna go
Reluctance to move on or leave
Too soon, too soon, no!
A sense of urgency to stay, despite knowing that it's not realistic
Sky!
An exclamation to emphasize the next section
We can start
Repetition of the earlier line
And we do fly
Taking action to move forward and make progress
What we say, la la la la, no...
The repetition of words ad nauseum, implying a lack of substance or significance
Contributed by Zoe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.