Touch and Go
The Cars Lyrics
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All I'll tell is what you're not
All you know is what you hear
I get this way when you come near
Then I know it's gone too far
Uh oh, I touched your star
And it felt so right
And then you said
With me it's touch and go
It's touch and go
All I need is you tonight
I'm flying like a cement kite
In your headlock on the floor
Who could ever ask for more
And I know it's gone too far
Uh-oh, I touched your star
And it felt so right
Just like the hush of midnight
And then you said
With me it's touch and go uh oh
It's touch and go, oh oh oh
All I want is you tonight
I guess that dress does fit you tight, yeah
You know that look does make me shake
It almost looks too good to fake
And I know it's gone too far
Uh oh, I touched your star
And it felt so right
Just like the hush of midnight
And then you said
With me it's touch and go uh oh
Touch and go uh oh oh
It's touch and go uh oh oh
Touch and go uh oh oh
It's touch and go u hoh oh
Touch and go, touch and go
Oh, it's touch and go
Oh oh oh (Touch and go) touch and go
All I need is what you've got
At the heart of the Cars' song Touch and Go lies the story of a tempestuous relationship between two people who can't seem to get enough of each other. The singer is drawn to the other person, "All I need is what you've got," but senses that they aren't being entirely truthful or forthcoming, "All I'll tell is what you're not, All you know is what you hear." Despite this, the singer can't help being drawn in by the other person's energy and charisma, feeling "this way when you come near." They fall into a passionate encounter, but already know that it's a slippery slope: "With me it's touch and go, It's touch and go."
The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the sense of urgency, the thrill of the moment, and the precariousness of the relationship. The singer describes feeling as if they've touched the other person's star, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for being with someone who is a shining light or a powerful force, but also carries the risk of burning too close to the sun. The line "flying like a cement kite" could be seen as a further expression of this idea, as concrete is a heavy, inert material, while a kite is light and airy – suggesting the mix of weightlessness and weight, ambition and risk in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
All I need is what you've got
I only desire what you possess
All I'll tell is what you're not
I will only reveal what you are not
All you know is what you hear
Your understanding is based solely on the information you've received
I get this way when you come near
I experience a particular emotional state in your presence
Then I know it's gone too far
At that point, I recognize that things have escalated beyond a reasonable level
Uh oh, I touched your star
I've crossed a boundary and made contact with something precious of yours
And it felt so right
Despite the potential negative consequences, the action I took felt satisfying and correct
Just like the hush of midnight
The experience was tranquil, peaceful, and calm like the atmosphere during the late hours of the night
And then you said
Your response was
With me it's touch and go
Our interactions are unpredictable and have the possibility of rapidly escalating out of control
It's touch and go
Our situation is uncertain and can quickly spin out of control
All I need is you tonight
I only require your presence for this one evening
I'm flying like a cement kite
I am experiencing an exhilarating rush of emotions despite feeling weighed down like a kite made of heavy cement
In your headlock on the floor
I find myself wrestling with you and pinned on the ground, unable to escape
Who could ever ask for more
No one could request a better experience than this
You know that look does make me shake
The expression on your face is powerful enough to cause me to tremble
It almost looks too good to fake
The appearance of your expression is so convincing that it appears genuine
It's touch and go uh oh
Our interaction is unstable, and I am apprehensive about the outcome
Oh, it's touch and go
This situation is precarious and uncertain
Oh oh oh (Touch and go) touch and go
Repeating the phrase 'touch and go' emphasizes the unpredictable nature of our interaction
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ric Ocasek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Toradog
40 years later and Touch and Go still makes me tingle.
Bennie Barnett
my dads favorite band! hell yeah
Roberto valencia Valencia
Real talent real music 🎸🍻🚀 my son.. arghhhhh my balls 🥵😂🍺 drink all you can drink mexicana style 👽 alien nation
Michele R
yes indeed
Valerie Q
Me too
CJ
Had me go buy the album, then misfit kid had me in a mode awhile, then the whole album kicked in for awhile...true GEM !
Chris Damon
The Cars are one of the best bands ever. "Panorama" is a masterpiece, as are all of their albums. I have loved this song and album since day one.
K Busby
Agreed.
misplacednewyawker
Moving in stereo is the most underrated song ever
krrobu
The Cars were the best part of my younger years. They are still my go to group especially when I need to remember better times. Thank you, Ric! May you rest in harmony.