The Shaggs were an American all-female rock group formed in Fremont, New Ha… Read Full Bio ↴The Shaggs were an American all-female rock group formed in Fremont, New Hampshire, United States in 1968. The band was composed of sisters Dorothy "Dot" Wiggin (vocals/lead guitar), Betty Wiggin (vocals/rhythm guitar), Helen Wiggin (drums), and later Rachel Wiggin (bass). Today, they're known as a key part of the outsider music movement.

The band was formed by Dot, Betty, and Helen on the insistence of their father, Austin Wiggin, who believed that his mother foresaw their rise to stardom. The only studio album, 'Philosophy of the World', was released in 1969 and failed to garner attention, though the band continued to exist as a locally popular live act. The group disbanded in 1975 after the death of Austin.

The Shaggs have a consistent (but highly idiosyncratic) approach to melody, harmony, and rhythm. The songs use irregular verse structures, which are emphasized by the melodic structures. These typically accord one note per syllable: the guitar accompaniment attempts to reproduce this pattern as well. Most of the Shaggs material is made up of eighth- and quarter-notes.

Posthumously, the band gained notoriety and praise for their unconventional style, and lyrical honesty. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain highlighted their work for praise. Frank Zappa named 'Philosophy of the World' one of his favorite records. He even said they were "better than The Beatles." 'Philosophy of the World' was later reissued on Rounder, the label of the rock group NRBQ, and the compilation 'Shaggs' Own Thing' was released in 1982.

That Little Sports Car
The Shaggs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There was a sports car on the road
(On the road)
I thought I knew the fellow that drove
That little sports car was slippery as an oyster
Following it was like riding on a roller coaster
(Roller coaster)

Around the corners and over the bumps

Every minute, faster and faster, my heart thumped
(My heart thumped)

Well, finally he stopped to get some gas
If I was to catch up I had to move fast
(To move fast)
I stepped on the gas and just made the corner
Wow, I was almost a goner
(Goner)

When I got there he was gone
I don't know where I went wrong
(I went wrong)
The time went fast, it was late
I knew I had no time to waste
(Time to waste)

I turned around and headed for home
I learned my lesson never to roam
I learned my lesson never to roam

Never to roam, never to roam
Never to roam, never to roam

Overall Meaning

The Shaggs's song "That Little Sports Car" describes an exciting and dangerous experience of trying to keep up with a sports car on the road. The singer recognizes the driver of the sports car but finds following it to be as slippery as an oyster and like riding on a roller coaster. The speed and excitement build as they go faster and faster, with the singer's heart thumping as they navigate corners and bumps. Eventually, the sports car stops for gas, and the singer sees an opportunity to catch up by stepping on the gas. However, they almost crash and are unable to catch up to the sports car, leaving them unsure of where they went wrong. Reflecting on the experience, the singer learns a lesson to never roam and heads back home.

The lyrics of this song capture the dangerous allure of speed and the excitement of trying to keep up with someone or something out of reach. The singer's experience of almost crashing and losing the sports car entirely emphasizes the excitement and danger of the chase. At the same time, the lesson learned and choice to return home highlights the importance of safety and responsibility on the road. Overall, this song uses vivid imagery and a catchy tune to capture the thrill and risk of driving fast.

Line by Line Meaning

There was a sports car on the road
I saw a sports car on the road

(On the road)
Clarification that the sports car was on the road

I thought I knew the fellow that drove
I believed that I recognized the person driving the sports car

That little sports car was slippery as an oyster
The sports car was difficult to catch and follow just like a slippery oyster is difficult to hold

Following it was like riding on a roller coaster
It was like being on a roller coaster when following the sports car because it was so fast and unpredictable

(Roller coaster)
Clarification that following the sports car was like being on a roller coaster

Around the corners and over the bumps
The sports car was driving fast and taking corners and bumps on the road

Every minute, faster and faster, my heart thumped
My heart started beating faster and faster as the sports car was getting faster

(My heart thumped)
Clarification that my heart was beating faster and faster

Well, finally he stopped to get some gas
The sports car driver stopped at a gas station to fill up

If I was to catch up I had to move fast
To catch up, I needed to go fast

(To move fast)
Clarification that I needed to go fast to catch up

I stepped on the gas and just made the corner
I pushed the gas pedal and barely made the turn

Wow, I was almost a goner
I almost crashed and it was a close call

(Goner)
Clarification that I almost had an accident and could have been a 'goner'

When I got there he was gone
The sports car driver was no longer there when I arrived

I don't know where I went wrong
I don't know why I wasn't able to catch up with the sports car