My time went so quickly, I went lickety-splickly out to my old '55
Pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, God knows, I was feeling alive.

And now the sun's coming up, I'm riding with Lady Luck, freeway cars and trucks,
Stars beginning to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a-wishing I'd stayed a little longer,
Oh, Lord, that the feeling's getting stronger.

Now six in the morning, gave me no warning; I had to be on my way.
Lights passing and trucks a flashing,
I'm on my way home from your place.

And now the sun's coming up, I'm riding with Lady Luck, freeway cars and trucks.



Lyrics submitted by archmastermind

Track duration: 03:57


Ol' 55 song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The song is about Tom's friend Larry Beazer who while on a date needed to get her back to Pasadena, and the only gear left on his car was reverse
    so the song is about the drive back home, in reverse, with every car flashing him, a bunch of cars stuck behind him cause he's so slow going backwards (the parade he's leading), being over taken by trucks cause again he's so slow
    and even though everyone else on the road is mad at him, he's had a great date and is generally pretty happy

    Tom Discussed it on the VH1 storyteller album
    Flag AbnormalErnieon May 24, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:even though the narrator is at peace in this song, you still feel a lingering sorrow reflected in his voice...
    Flag necrophageon May 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this version, cheers me up every time (in a sad kind of way)
    Flag iwalkwithzombieson April 09, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:About a man driving home, after spending the night with his lover, and having one of those moments when you're just happy, and at peace with your life.
    "Feeling so holy/ God knows I was feeling alive."
    Sex as a kind of religious experience.
    Ah, I love Waits. He has no equal.
    Flag lunaburningon May 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:best song about a man and his car
    Flag josinson April 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I find the Early Years version very intimate
    Flag MardyAsson July 12, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I thought this was called Freeway, Cars and Trucks. No matter-it's typically great reminiscing Waits. I like the Eagles version too.
    Flag JumpyJackon December 17, 2004   Link

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