Ragtop Cadillac
Ragtop Dreams and Lost Love: A Khaki and Blue Cadillac Tale
Lyrics
She said "I drive a ragtop Cadillac
Expressing ownership of a convertible Cadillac.
It's khaki and blue
Describing the colors khaki and blue of the Cadillac.
I've got dreams and ambition
Asserting personal aspirations and dreams.
And there's just not enough room for you"
Indicating a lack of space in her life for the speaker.
She's a daddy's girl
Describing her close relationship with her father.
Right down to ribbons and curls
Emphasizing her traditional and well-groomed appearance.
She got a new tattoo and a cheap cigar
Noting a rebellious streak with a new tattoo and a cheap cigar.
And she got out of town
She left town, possibly to pursue her dreams.
I ain't surprised that she don't love me, God forgive me
Speaker acknowledges potential flaws in himself.
I'm not exactly mister clean
Admitting not being perfect morally.
I know it's a hard life I lead, Oh
Reflecting on the challenges and difficulties in his life.
It'll probably kill me
Speculating that his lifestyle may have severe consequences.
She shouldn't be feeling sorry for me
Expressing that she shouldn't pity him.
I said "You're not some Hollywood queen
Rejecting the notion that she is a glamorous Hollywood figure.
Dressed up in magazines
Dismissing superficial beauty found in magazines.
You ain't much of a catch
Downplaying her desirability or enjoyment as observed by the speaker.
Or a good time lost from what I've seen"
Suggesting she may not be an ideal partner based on the speaker's perspective.
She used to pull the top back
Recalling a time when she used to drive with the top down.
In that old ragtop Cadillac
Describing the convertible Cadillac as old.
And let her brown hair blow with the full moon out
Painting a picture of a carefree drive with the wind blowing her hair.
Driving anywhere but home
Highlighting her tendency to avoid staying at home.
I ain't surprised that she don't love me, God forgive me
Reiterating the expectation that she doesn't love the speaker.
There's too many miles behind and states between
Pointing out the distance and time that has passed in their relationship.
I know it's a hard life I lead, Oh
Reflecting on the challenging nature of the speaker's life.
It'll probably kill me
Speculating on the potential deadly consequences of the speaker's lifestyle.
She shouldn't be feeling sorry for me
Reiterating that she shouldn't feel sorry for the speaker.
I woke up cold
Describing a moment of waking up feeling cold.
When I heard the phone ringing
Highlighting a phone call waking the speaker up.
I stumbled down the hall and picked up the line
Describing the speaker's disoriented state while answering the call.
I was too stoned to see
Acknowledging the speaker's impaired state due to substance use.
She said "My old ragtop Cadillac
Reporting a problem with her Cadillac being stranded on the roadside.
Is on the side of the road
Providing details about the condition and location of the Cadillac.
I'm 30 miles south of Austin
Stating her location, emphasizing distance from the speaker.
I got nowhere to go... could you bring me home?"
Expressing a need for help and a place to go.
This ain't the way that it's supposed to be
Expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation.
I suppose that she just
Suggesting that she might need more than physical distance.
Needs more than miles and the space between
Highlighting the importance of heading south, possibly indicating a preferred direction.
Southbound is what I need anyway
Expressing a need for the speaker to focus on their journey rather than sympathy.
Turn on Hank Williams, roll down the windows
Suggesting a way to cope with the situation—listening to Hank Williams and enjoying the ride.
Don't need nobody's two bit sympathy
Rejecting the need for sympathy from others.
Sure don't need no woman feeling sorry for me
Comment