Black Cars
Vannelli Gino Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Under the cover of night
She crawls into sight
Her skin is cold china white
She's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
Dark shadows under long false lashes
The night exposes the cracks
She wears her makeup like wax
To hide every scratch
'Cause she a dark angel riding dark horses
Sitting pretty in her dim lit covers... I say
Black cars look better in the shade
She smears her lipstick on right before she sleeps
For all those phantom lovers in her dreams
She smokes them french cigarettes
In cocktail gloves and a strapless dress
She cuts a perfect silhouette
But she's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
A fading beauty as the night time passes... I say




Black cars look better in the shade
Black cars look better in the shade

Overall Meaning

The song "Black Cars" by Gino Vannelli is a captivating representation of the night life and its allure. Through its lyrics, the song depicts a mysterious woman who comes out at night illuminated by the moonlight. The woman is described as having white skin, wearing dark glasses and dark angel wings. The night exposes her imperfections, forcing her to cover them up with makeup.


The woman in the song is possibly a prostitute, and she may be struggling through a dark phase of her life. She is shown as trying to conceal the scratches on her skin by wearing makeup, which becomes her armor against the world. The darkness that envelops the woman seems to suggest that she is hiding behind a facade, which is further emphasized through the black cars that look better in the shade.


The line "She smears her lipstick on right before she sleeps for all those phantom lovers in her dreams" is particularly poignant. It highlights the struggle of the woman to hold onto love and affection that seems to exist only within her dreams. The overall theme of the song revolves around the woman's need to hide her imperfections and the darker aspects of her life. Gino Vannelli has captured this sentiment beautifully in "Black Cars."


Line by Line Meaning

Under the cover of night
In darkness and secrecy


She crawls into sight
She appears slowly and deliberately


Her skin is cold china white
Her skin tone is very pale and cold


She's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
She has an edgy and mysterious aura


Dark shadows under long false lashes
Her eyes are dressed up dramatically


The night exposes the cracks
Her vulnerability shows in the darkness


She wears her makeup like wax
Her makeup is thick and artificial


To hide every scratch
To conceal any imperfection or battle wound


'Cause she a dark angel riding dark horses
She's a dangerous woman living dangerously


Sitting pretty in her dim lit covers... I say
She looks good in the low light


Black cars look better in the shade
Her preferred mode of transportation is sleek and ominous


She smears her lipstick on right before she sleeps
She maintains her beauty around the clock


For all those phantom lovers in her dreams
She has a vivid and imaginary romantic life


She smokes them french cigarettes
She indulges in luxury and sophistication


In cocktail gloves and a strapless dress
She dresses elegantly and fashionably


She cuts a perfect silhouette
She looks like a model or actress


But she's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
She's a complex and enigmatic figure


A fading beauty as the night time passes... I say
She's aging and losing her glamour with the passing of time


Black cars look better in the shade
Her choice of vehicle remains ominous and alluring




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CTM Publishing
Written by: ROY FREELAND, GINO VANELLI

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

GASTON SITANUSA

Lyrics :
Under the cover of night
She crawls into sight
Her skin is cold china white
She's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
Dark shadows under long false lashes

The night exposes the cracks
She wears her makeup like wax
To hide every scratch
'Cause she a dark angel riding dark horses
Sitting pretty in her dim lit covers ... I say

Black cars look better in the shade
She smears her lipstick on right before she sleeps
For all those phantom lovers in her dreams

She smokes them french cigarettes
In cocktail gloves and a strapless dress
She cuts a perfect silhouette

But she's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
A fading beauty as the night time passes ... I say

Black cars look better in the shade
Black cars look better in the shade



Marcelo Andrés Silva

Under the cover of night
She crawls into sight
Her skin is cold china white
She's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
Dark shadows under long false lashes

The night exposes the cracks
She wears her makeup like wax
To hide every scratch
'Cause she a dark angel riding dark horses
Sitting pretty in her dim lit covers ... I say

Black cars look better in the shade
She smears her lipstick on right before she sleeps
For all those phantom lovers in her dreams

She smokes them french cigarettes
In cocktail gloves and a strapless dress
She cuts a perfect silhouette

But she's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
A fading beauty as the night time passes ... I say

Black cars look better in the shade
Black cars look better in the shade



All comments from YouTube:

Louise McElhill

80s music doesn't get any better than this. ❤

STUDIO BENCIVENGA Marcus Bencivenga

I got shivers as a teenager when I heard this song 🤗a bloody masterpiece

GASTON SITANUSA

Lyrics :
Under the cover of night
She crawls into sight
Her skin is cold china white
She's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
Dark shadows under long false lashes

The night exposes the cracks
She wears her makeup like wax
To hide every scratch
'Cause she a dark angel riding dark horses
Sitting pretty in her dim lit covers ... I say

Black cars look better in the shade
She smears her lipstick on right before she sleeps
For all those phantom lovers in her dreams

She smokes them french cigarettes
In cocktail gloves and a strapless dress
She cuts a perfect silhouette

But she's a dark angel wearing dark glasses
A fading beauty as the night time passes ... I say

Black cars look better in the shade
Black cars look better in the shade

LordClam

Maybe "The light exposes the cracks"? Not the night...

Richard Oki

Unbelievably underrated. It deserves a billion views.

Katherine D

In what way? The song spent 16 weeks on the charts.

Jonathan McVay

I agree with you Richard. I LOVED this song back in the 80’s. Hadn’t heard it in many years and heard it being played. I played it for my teenage nieces and nephews. They loved it!

Ken Charland

It Will !

aaronquy1968

I'm amazed this song received more than 99 views

Gareth Edwards

@aaronquy1968 Piss poor trolling effort, son - you need to try harder. Grade C -

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