Passenger
The Banshees Lyrics
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And I ride and I ride
I ride through the city's backside
I see the stars come out of the sky
Yeah, they're bright in a hollow sky
You know it looks so good tonight
I am the passenger
I look through my window so bright
I see the stars come out tonight
I see the bright and hollow sky
Over the city's ripped backsides
And everything looks good tonight
Singing, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Get into the car
We'll be the passenger
We'll ride through the city tonight
We'll see the city's ripped backsides
We'll see the bright and hollow sky
We'll see the stars that shine so bright
Stars made for us tonight
Oh, the passenger
How, how he rides
Oh, the passenger
He rides and he rides
He looks through his window
What does he see?
He sees the sign and hollow sky
He see the stars come out tonight
He sees the city's ripped backsides
He sees the winding Ocean Drive
And everything was made for you and me
All of it was made for you and me
'Cause it just belongs to you and me
So let's take a ride and see what's mine
Singing, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Oh, the passenger
He rides and he rides
He sees things from under glass
He looks through his window inside
He sees things he knows are his
He sees the bright and hollow sky
He sees the city sleep at night
He sees the stars are out tonight
And all of it is yours and mine
And all of it is yours and mine
So let's ride and ride and ride and ride
Singing, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Singing, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Singing, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (I am the passenger)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (and I ride and I ride)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Singing, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (I am the passenger)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la (and I ride and I ride)
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
The Banshees' song "Passenger" is a metaphorical journey through the eyes of a passenger riding through the city. The song is about the freedom of riding in a car and being a passenger as opposed to driving, and what one sees from the passenger's seat. The lyrics capture the sensation of being detached from the world outside and observing it on a more introspective level; the passenger sees the stars shining in the sky, the city's ripped backsides, and the bright and hollow sky over the city.
The song's vocals and instrumentation help create a sense of detachment and introspection, with a blend of punk and post-punk elements that give it a raw and unapologetic feel. The chorus of "La, la, la" serves as a cathartic release as the singer revels in the freedom of being the passenger and experiencing the world as an observer. The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling disconnected and removed from the world and finding solace in being an observer rather than an active participant.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the passenger
The singer is describing themselves as a passenger, meaning they are not in control of the vehicle they are in and are being taken somewhere by someone else.
And I ride and I ride
The singer is emphasizing that they are continuing to ride in the vehicle, suggesting that they are enjoying the experience and not in a hurry to reach their destination.
I ride through the city's backside
The singer is traveling through parts of the city that are not typically seen by tourists or visitors, possibly suggesting a darker or less glamorous side of the city.
I see the stars come out of the sky
From their position as a passenger in a moving vehicle, the artist is able to clearly see the stars appearing in the night sky.
Yeah, they're bright in a hollow sky
The artist remarks on the sharp contrast between the stars' bright shine and the dark, empty sky around them.
You know it looks so good tonight
The singer is enjoying the beauty of the sky and the stars on this particular evening, and might be feeling a sense of wonder or awe at the sight.
I stay under glass
The singer is separated from the outside world by a layer of glass, perhaps a vehicle window or windshield.
I look through my window so bright
The artist is peering through a bright window, emphasizing their isolated and insulated position as a passenger.
We'll be the passenger
The artist is now addressing someone else, suggesting that they will both be passengers together in a future journey.
We'll see the city's ripped backsides
The artist is promising that their future journey together will take them through rougher or less polished parts of the city.
He sees things he knows are his
The singer is perhaps reflecting on feelings of ownership or belonging as they observe the city and the world outside their window.
And all of it is yours and mine
The artist is affirming a sense of shared experience and ownership over the world they observe and travel through.
So let's ride and ride and ride and ride
The singer is concluding the song with a call to continue the journey without stopping or hesitation, emphasizing the pleasure of being a passenger and observing the world around them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Newell Osterberg, Ricky Gardiner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind