Dirt Bike
They Might Be Giants Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here comes the dirt bike
Beware of the dirt bike
Because I hear they're coming to our town
They've got plans for everyone
And now I hear they're over their sophomore jinx, so you had better check it out

All hail the dirt bike
Philosopher dirt bike
Silence as we gathered round
We saw the word and were on our way
Now it's

Brain washing dirt bike
Ground shaking dirt bike
Mind bending dirt bike
In control

Soul crushing dirt bike
Self propelled dirt bike
You see I never thought I'd understand
'Til that bike took me by the hand
Now I ride





Ride
Ride

Overall Meaning

The song "Dirt Bike" by They Might Be Giants is a warning about the dangers of conformity and seduction of new ideas. The dirt bike is portrayed as a symbol of alluring ideas that take over one's mind, body, and soul. The first stanza warns listeners to be cautious of the dirt bike's arrival in town because it has big plans for everyone. The second stanza pays homage to the dirt bike and elevates it to near-godlike status, referring to it as a "philosopher" and juxtaposing silence with the gathered crowd's worship of it. The chorus then lists various adjectives to describe the dirt bike's power over its riders, from "mind-bending" and "self-propelled" to "soul-crushing."


The lyrics seem to warn of the dangers of groupthink and how people can easily be seduced by charismatic leaders or ideas that appear new and shiny. The dirt bike, in this way, is like a cult-like figure who promises enlightenment and control over one's life, yet ultimately crushes individuality and free will. The chorus's repetition of the word "ride" seems to both celebrate the thrill of the ride but also imply that the rider is no longer in control and is being controlled by the dirt bike.


The song can be interpreted in multiple ways - as a warning against blind acceptance of ideas, as a commentary on cult-like followings, or merely as an ode to the thrill of dirt bike riding. The cryptic lyrics and catchy tune have made it a favorite among They Might Be Giants fans.


Line by Line Meaning

Here comes the dirt bike
The dirt bike is approaching or arriving.


Beware of the dirt bike
Be cautious or mindful of the imminent arrival of the dirt bike.


Because I hear they're coming to our town
There are rumors that the dirt bike is coming to our town.


They've got plans for everyone
The dirt bike has intentions or purposes for every person.


And now I hear they're over their sophomore jinx, so you had better check it out
It's been said that the dirt bike has surpassed previous obstacles, so it's worth investigating further.


All hail the dirt bike
The dirt bike is being praised or revered.


Philosopher dirt bike
The dirt bike is being likened to a philosopher or wise thinker.


Silence as we gathered round
There was a quiet or hushed atmosphere as people came together.


We saw the word and were on our way
We saw the message or idea conveyed by the dirt bike and were immediately compelled to act or follow.


Now it's
The situation has progressed and changed.


Brain washing dirt bike
The dirt bike is being accused of indoctrinating or manipulating people's minds.


Ground shaking dirt bike
The dirt bike is causing significant disturbance or upheaval.


Mind bending dirt bike
The dirt bike is having a profound or destabilizing effect on people's thoughts or perceptions.


In control
The dirt bike is the one in charge or with authority.


Soul crushing dirt bike
The dirt bike is causing great emotional or spiritual pain.


Self propelled dirt bike
The dirt bike is able to move or operate on its own, without external force or influence.


You see I never thought I'd understand
The artist never expected to comprehend or grasp the significance of the dirt bike.


'Til that bike took me by the hand
The dirt bike had a transformative or influential effect on the singer.


Now I ride
The singer now rides the dirt bike.


Ride
The final word of the song, possibly indicating a continued or ongoing experience of riding the dirt bike.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@davidhall6385

I'm putting together all the songs I can find that follow E C#m G# A. So far they're all beautiful, they all blend beautifully, it's a really lovely progression.
We have this one, and:
The Pixies - Where is My Mind
Kids These Days - Doo Wah
Black Honey - Corrine
Close:
Kings Of Leon - Time in Disguise
Jarabe De Palo - Dicen
Not a complete list!



All comments from YouTube:

@FunnyFany

*listens to the opening trumpets while lying absolutely hammered besides a pool on a rainy night*

@adamthorton1570

This is such an incredible song... I love the horn arrangement. It's beautiful.

@DeaconBluesClues

This song captures the imagination and energy of something small but unusual coming to a small town - a firetruck in the recess yard, a carnival in the park, a cookout the last day of school, a street fair with men playing cheap keyboards and people selling soap under gazebos. Your friend's band has a gig; or Halloween or St Patrick's day arrive with gaudy parades. This is small town America in a song.

@jakesauce9473

interesting, these boys started in New York and this album release about twenty years later...

@homsar

this song is pretty good at helping me calm down.. maybe not because of the lyrics but everything else

@atrijitdas1704

that opening horn could accompany the last scene of a film(possibly in slow motion).And then when the singing starts,cut to credits.

@HiSodiumContent

Protagonist sits on the floor in a darkened hallway, bruised and bloody, head down. The horns start, protagonist's head rises, the rest of the body following suit. They walk towards a doorway, light filtering through the dirty glass as they approach. They reach the door, opening it, revealing a brightly lit gravel street in an industrial park. A squad of dirt bikes flies by and the camera falls backwards, revealing a blue sky. The guitar twangs and the screen fades to black, credits roll.

@davidhall6385

I'm putting together all the songs I can find that follow E C#m G# A. So far they're all beautiful, they all blend beautifully, it's a really lovely progression.
We have this one, and:
The Pixies - Where is My Mind
Kids These Days - Doo Wah
Black Honey - Corrine
Close:
Kings Of Leon - Time in Disguise
Jarabe De Palo - Dicen
Not a complete list!

@rmvavrina4

It's interesting that it references "Where is My Mind". Pixies were an influence to a lot of alternative music that was out in 1994 (when John Henry was released), and Flans said the song is about "certain bands spreading their message of hate around the country", in reference to grunge artists. Knowing that, this song uses a shared influence of the Pixies, and offers that we don't necessarily have to go in the direction of hate and dominance (as grunge was understood at the time).

@archerj.maggott1372

I used to have a lot of conceited, highfalutin delusions of my own autonomy and free will, and then the dirt bike showed me how overrated it all was, and how to just let it all go. Now I serve the dirt bike.

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