According to Merge, at their initial studio session the two “were immediately struck by one another’s talents and found an instant rapport". During a conversation about their shared love of old records, Zooey let slip that she wrote her own songs, which she recorded alone at home on her computer. Somewhat shy about sharing these musical morsels, she was eventually persuaded to send them to M. Ward. He was instantly impressed, and they soon reconvened at his studio in Portland to begin work. Recorded over a period of several months, between acting work (She) and touring commitments (Him), the pair found time to bring Zooey’s fledgling songs to gorgeous fruition
Ridin
She & Him Lyrics
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To find each other, start making romance
But it didn't come off because you found another
Without one hand of a clock, what good is the other?
And I can't find no true love, oh baby, it's so hard
And I still think about you every time I'm riding in my car
To see what everybody was talking about
And over in a corner all alone with you
Was a boy from last summer singing songs for you
And he can't sing like I can sing, oh, it's so hard
And I still think about you every time I'm riding in my car
When I'm home alone I can think of other things to do
But when I'm rolling in forward motion I think about only you
It's been a year and a day since I talked to you
I don't know how I made it, but I sure have been blue
And every time I think about what might have been
I jump in my car and start riding again
And I can't find no true love, oh baby, it's so hard
And I still think about you every time I'm riding in my car
The song "Ridin' in My Car" by She & Him talks about the struggle of moving on from a past relationship, and the lasting impact that the memories of that relationship have on the singer. In the first verse, the singer reminisces about the past summer when she had the chance to start a romance with someone, but it didn't work out because that person found someone else. She poses the question of what good is one hand of a clock without the other, suggesting that the missed opportunity was like a clock without all its parts.
In the second verse, the singer goes to a place where everyone hangs out to see what people are talking about, and finds the person she had the missed chance with alone in a corner, being serenaded by someone else. She notes that the boy from last summer can't sing like she can, but the pain of the missed opportunity lingers on each time she is riding in her car.
The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the struggle of finding true love and moving on from the past in the wake of missed opportunities.
Overall, the song conveys the message that even though time moves on, and life goes on, the past can be difficult to get over, and the pain of what could have been can linger on.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember last summer when we had the chance
Recalling a past summer where a romantic opportunity presented itself
To find each other, start making romance
The chance to begin a romantic relationship
But it didn't come off because you found another
The potential romance fell apart due to the other person choosing someone else
Without one hand of a clock, what good is the other?
A metaphor for the relationship not working without both people being committed
And I can't find no true love, oh baby, it's so hard
The struggle to find genuine love
And I still think about you every time I'm riding in my car
The past relationship still lingers while driving alone
So I went to the place where everybody hangs out
Going to a popular spot to find out what's new
To see what everybody was talking about
Curiosity about the latest gossip
And over in a corner all alone with you
Finding the person from the past in a secluded area
Was a boy from last summer singing songs for you
The person from the past singing for the new partner
And he can't sing like I can sing, oh, it's so hard
Jealousy over the new partner's singing abilities
When I'm home alone I can think of other things to do
Distractions from thoughts of the past when alone
But when I'm rolling in forward motion I think about only you
Thoughts of the past relationship while driving forward
It's been a year and a day since I talked to you
Time passed since last communicating with the former partner
I don't know how I made it, but I sure have been blue
The struggle with moving on from the past relationship
And every time I think about what might have been
Reflecting on the missed opportunity
I jump in my car and start riding again
Driving to escape thoughts of the past
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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