There's a long line of cars
And they're trying to get through
There's no single explanation
There's no central destination

But this long line of cars
Is trying to get through
And this long line of cars
Is all because of you
You don't wonder where we're going
Or remember where we've been
We've got to keep this traffic
Flowing and accept a little spin

So this long line of cars
Will never have an end
And this long line of cars
Keeps coming around the bend
From the streets of sacramento
To the freeways of L.A.
We've got to keep this fire burning
And accept a little gray
So this long line of cars
Is trying to break free
And this long line of cars
Is all because of me

This long line of cars
Long line of cars
Long line of cars
Long line of cars


Lyrics submitted by shut, edited by Sluvik

Long Line of Cars Lyrics as written by John M Mccrea

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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Long Line Of Cars song meanings
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36 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    i think is a treatise on the malformation of society: the "long line of cars" referes to autonominous drivers. ... There's no single explanation There's no central destination ... certainly sounds like the distributed chaos of a hundres drivers all looking out for them selfs. ... we don't wonder where we're going Or remember where we've been ... ever watched ants swarming? ever watched a traffic jam? ever wonder what millions of independant thoughpatters colliding look like?

    the lines: ... We've got to keep this traffic Flowing and accept a little sin ... and ... We've got to keep this fire burning and accept a little gray ... seems to represent a society that has sacrificed happiness and individuality for continuity.

    SCIFIon May 31, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I always thought that it was something about problems in their relationship and the person he's talking about is too stubborn to change things to make it right.

    thinkitbeiton June 29, 2002   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning

    Every time i heard this song, i assumed he was talking about cars literally, maybe the long line of cars was all because of him being a concert backup, but that doesnt explain the final line "all because of you"

    The more i hear this song, i begin to thing the long line of cars are tears, caused by his failing/troubled relationship. we dont wonder where were going or remember where we've been (will we last? remember the good times and the bad?) the more i think about it, the cars as a metaphor for tears fits every line in this song. such is my theory. i think it makes it very touching (and fit in with Cakes songs in general.. a lot of their songs are about the lead's failed relationship)

    Beerless11on February 08, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think this song is about blame. Traffic and road rage are merely metaphors; no one ever thinks that they're an asshole driver.

    ButtOfMalmseyon May 07, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i thought it was about a girl that he broke up with and she got into a crash which held up traffic and he blames it on herwhich explains And this long line of cars

    Is all because of you but later he realizes its his fault cause he broke her heart and is why he saysAnd this long line of cars

    Is all because of me Bet ya never thought of that! GO CAKE!

    i(heart)jamiemyerson January 25, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Well i think that it's about life in general. Long line of cars as in alot of people moving on with their own lifes. All move along with diferent objectives and diferent aspirations but all moving along together, and yet lonely.

    new kind of armyon March 27, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    From my sister's POV:

    It's a stand-still relationship. Long line of cars=traffic jam=stand still. You don't wonder where we're going Or remember where we've been? Ever seen You've Got Mail? like the relationship between Meg Ryan and her boyfriend. The relationship isn't going anywhere, and they don't seem to care.

    Like that.

    yoshigawaon April 16, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about working at a really busy car wash, or at least I used to always listen to this song when I worked at a really busy car wash, because it fits so well.

    Bustakapon July 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    hehe. i always tried to make this song describe a funeral procession... but i suppose that could just be wishful thinking on my part. it just seemed so vague... "you don't wonder where we're going or remember where we've been." long line of cars that has to get through and holds up traffic=funeral. it's your funeral in the first part and mine in the second... i realize this idea doesn't apply to the whole song... but i do find it interesting to think about.

    i_heart_yoyoon April 24, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    hehe. i always tried to make this song describe a funeral procession... but i suppose that could just be wishful thinking on my part. it just seemed so vague... "you don't wonder where we're going or remember where we've been." long line of cars that has to get through and holds up traffic=funeral. it's your funeral in the first part and mine in the second... i realize this idea doesn't apply to the whole song... but i do find it interesting to think about.

    i_heart_yoyoon April 24, 2003   Link

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