Lyrics
The mini cab
The narrator takes a mini cab.
The driver is black
The mini cab driver is black.
This time of night
It's nighttime.
You better sit in the back
The narrator is advised to sit in the back of the cab for safety reasons.
Got a few smokes
The narrator has some cigarettes hidden under their hat.
Under your hat
The police are watching for illegal activities involving black market petrol.
The cops are lookin' out
The cops are vigilant, and the situation is tense.
For the petrol on the black
There's a heightened scrutiny for black market petrol.
This time I think
The narrator reflects on the situation and questions it.
So what the hell
Expresses a resigned or indifferent attitude toward the circumstances.
There's that female
Refers to a familiar woman who is known but might be problematic.
I know too well
Implies a history or familiarity with the female character.
Why should I lean
Questioning the need to conform or rely on others.
Get out my mind again
The struggle to free oneself from certain thoughts or influences.
I ridin' in the back alone
The narrator is alone in the back of the cab.
The stranger rides again
Refers to a recurring theme or a stranger reappearing in the narrator's life.
To see my lovely town
The narrator is returning to their hometown, which is not perceived positively.
That always brings you down
The town has a negative impact or brings the narrator down.
Where every drifter drifts
Describes the town as a place where drifters wander for miles.
For many miles around
The town attracts drifters from many miles around.
We take a casual drive
The narrator takes a casual drive, possibly reflecting on the past.
For two miles up the road
They cover a short distance.
The cops pull us over
The police stop them and conduct a thorough search.
And search right through our clothes
The search includes going through their clothes.
They give him hell
The police treat the driver harshly.
They check him on the air
They check the driver's background on the radio.
I sit there with the drugs in my hair
The narrator conceals drugs in their hair during the encounter.
As soon as I get home
Upon returning home, the narrator calls Heathrow for a standby fare to Borneo.
I call Heathrow
Indicates a desire to leave the current environment or situation.
Want a standby fare to Borneo
The narrator wants to escape to Borneo using a standby fare.
Comment