The Last Chance Texaco

Album: Rickie Lee Jones (1979)
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Songfacts®:

  • One of Rickie Lee Jones' most enduring tracks, "The Last Chance Texaco" uses the metaphor of a lonely gas station on the edge of town to describe a woman who just might settle for a guy she knows isn't right, since it might be her last chance. In a Songfacts interview with Jones, she said it was a great example of how she translates feelings into song. "'Last Chance Texaco' is always right on," she said of the audience response.
  • A track from the first Rickie Lee Jones album, this song uses a lot of automotive imagery. Standard and Mobil are other gas stations, representing what the guy tried to be before settling on Texaco. If this woman in the song represents the car, she's broken down: her problems read like a mechanic's assessment:

    The battery went dead
    Her plug's disconnected

    This guy can get her up and running again, but she knows another breakdown is inevitable.

Comments: 6

  • Ken Hines from St. Joe, MoThere’s the songs to enjoy, and then there’s the lyrics to ponder. Either, or better, both.
  • Peace from CaliforniaI love when the car horns go by....LOVE IT!
  • AnonymousBrilliant imagery - pure poetry
  • Doctor Joolz from Melbourne Australia Love this song. And the album. Not a bad track on it and I have it on vinyl.
  • Noble_rot from East CoastMy favorite RLJ song and one of my all time favs
  • Wendy from TennesseeMy second favorite song on this album!
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