If You Need Oil
Lonely Nights at the Station: A Heartfelt Plea for Love in Randy Newman's If You Need Oil
Lyrics
There ain't no moon
Expressing the absence of a moon.
There ain't no stars
Highlighting the absence of stars.
Have to close up soon
Indicating the need to close up or shut down due to a lack of business (no cars).
'Cause there ain't no cars
Reiterating the scarcity of cars as a reason to close.
Got no radio
Stating the lack of a radio.
Got no telephone
Stating the absence of a telephone.
I'm just awful bored
Expressing boredom.
And I'm so alone
Conveying a sense of loneliness.
Baby, please come to the station
Inviting someone to the station.
And I'll wipe your windshield clean
Offering to clean the windshield as a gesture of care.
If you need oil, I'll give you oil
Promising to provide oil if needed.
And I'll fill your tank with gasoline
Committing to fill the tank with gasoline.
Baby, please come to the station
Repeating the invitation to the station due to loneliness.
You know I get so lonely there
Acknowledging the emotional state of loneliness at the station.
Bring some wine for inspiration
Suggesting bringing wine for inspiration.
And wear a ribbon in your hair
Adding a detail to wear a ribbon in the hair.
Hear those dogs bark
Noting the sound of barking dogs, possibly emphasizing the desolation.
Man, they can feel this cold
Highlighting the cold that is perceptible to dogs.
And it's so dark I need your hand to hold
Expressing darkness and the need for someone's hand for comfort.
Baby, please come to the station
Reiterating the plea for someone to come to the station.
You know I need you so tonight
Stressing the emotional need for the person at the moment.
Come and put your arms around me
Inviting physical closeness by asking for an embrace.
Baby, come and hold me tight
Reiterating the plea for the person to hold the speaker tightly.
Please, baby, come to the station
Continuing the request for someone to come to the station.
I've taken all that I can take
Expressing a sense of reaching a limit or breaking point.
Baby, how can you be sleeping
Questioning how someone can be sleeping when the speaker is awake and in need.
When you know that I'm awake?
Emphasizing the urgency and awareness of the speaker's wakefulness.
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