Hooky
The Americans Lyrics

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Stole out early, with the porch light lit
I shivered in the dark till I was sure of it
The last time I ran they hauled me home again
Pinned me in a chair, whispered in my ear
Where do you think you're going?

It's a long way to the city on a black tar road
With all that I could carry and my cap gun Colt

Shooting for the interstate
Tonight they're working late
Spoil their evening fight
When they come home tonight
And I'm no-showing
Nobody home

All around your neighbor's house
They're calling your name around
Around your neighborhood
They're calling you home

Up and down your paper route
They're shouting your name about
Around the neighborhood
They're screaming murder for you

At the edge of the city, I bided my time
Where the cops don't stop, and the strip mall signs
Say, We Cash Checks, Tire Alignment
And We Buy Gold and Diamonds On Consignment

By the time their headlights shined
I'd already flagged a ride
Head out the passenger's side
With the wind whipping in my eyes
I was long gone

If the kid catcher sees you coming
Hit the ground running
If he catches hold of you
He's sending you right back home

All around your neighbor's house
They're calling your name around
Around your neighborhood
They've been calling you home

Up and down your paper route
They're shouting your name about

Around your neighborhood
They're screaming murder for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Americans' song "Hooky" tell the story of a young rebellious protagonist who is trying to escape their mundane life in a small town. The song captures the feeling of restlessness and yearning for something more exciting and adventurous.

In the first verse, the singer sneaks out early in the morning while the porch light is still on. They feel a sense of exhilaration as they hide in the darkness, waiting until they think it's safe to run away. The mention of being hauled home and pinned in a chair suggests a history of being caught trying to escape before. The whispered question, "Where do you think you're going?" implies disapproval from authority figures.

The second verse describes their journey on a black tar road towards the city. They have limited belongings, symbolized by the mention of carrying only a cap gun Colt. The line "Shooting for the interstate" suggests their desire for freedom and escape. The singer also plans to disrupt the evening routine of those who have held them back by not showing up and being nobody home.

The chorus highlights the neighborhood's awareness of the singer's actions. They call their name, both in a concerned and judgmental tone, as the singer becomes the talk of the area. The shouts and screams represent the disapproval and fear felt by those left behind.

Overall, "Hooky" captures the restless spirit of youth, the desire to break free from societal constraints, and the consequences that can follow.

Line by Line Meaning

Stole out early, with the porch light lit
I sneaked out of the house before sunrise, making sure the porch light was still on.

I shivered in the dark till I was sure of it
I stood in the cold darkness, trembling, until I felt certain.

The last time I ran they hauled me home again
Whenever I attempted to escape in the past, they forcefully brought me back to my residence.

Pinned me in a chair, whispered in my ear
They restrained me in a chair and spoke softly into my ear.

Where do you think you're going?
They questioned me, suggesting that there was no way I could escape.

It's a long way to the city on a black tar road
The journey to the city is quite distant and involves traveling on a road covered in black asphalt.

With all that I could carry and my cap gun Colt
Carrying everything I could manage and a toy cap gun named Colt.

Shooting for the interstate
Aiming to reach the interstate highway.

Tonight they're working late
This evening, they will be occupied with work until late hours.

Spoil their evening fight
I intend to disrupt and ruin their argument when they return home tonight.

When they come home tonight
Upon their return home later in the evening.

And I'm no-showing
I will deliberately not be present.

Nobody home
There will be no one at the house.

All around your neighbor's house
In the vicinity of your neighbor's residence.

They're calling your name around
They are repeatedly shouting your name, attempting to get your attention.

Around your neighborhood
Throughout the entire neighborhood.

They're calling you home
They are demanding and beckoning for you to return home.

Up and down your paper route
Along the path where you deliver newspapers.

They're shouting your name about
They are loudly proclaiming your name, spreading it around.

They've been calling you home
They have persistently been requesting for you to come back home.

At the edge of the city, I bided my time
I patiently waited near the outskirts of the city.

Where the cops don't stop, and the strip mall signs
In an area where the police don't frequently intervene, and where signs for strip malls are visible.

Say, We Cash Checks, Tire Alignment
The signs advertise services such as cashing checks and aligning tires.

And We Buy Gold and Diamonds On Consignment
Additionally, there are shops willing to purchase gold and diamonds through consignment.

By the time their headlights shined
When the headlights of approaching vehicles illuminated the area.

I'd already flagged a ride
I had already successfully hailed a passing vehicle to give me a ride.

Head out the passenger's side
I went out through the door on the side of the car designated for passengers.

With the wind whipping in my eyes
As the wind blew forcefully into my eyes.

I was long gone
I had quickly disappeared and was far away from that location.

If the kid catcher sees you
If the person who captures children notices your presence.

Coming
Approaching their vicinity.

Hit the ground running
Swiftly begin moving at high speed.

If he catches hold of you
If he manages to grab and capture you.

He's sending you right back home
He will forcefully return you to your home.