Album: The River (1980)

License This Song 

• I met a little girl and I settled down
  In a little house out on the edge of town
  We got married, and swore we'd never part
  Then little by little we drifted from each other's heart
  
  At first I thought it was just restlessness
  That would fade as time went by and our love grew deep
  In the end it was something more I guess
  That tore us apart and made us weep
  
  I'm driving a stolen car
  Down on Eldridge Avenue
  Each night I wait to get caught
  But I never do
  
  She asked if I remembered the letters I wrote
  When our love was young and bold
  She said last night she read those letters
  And they made her feel one hundred years old
  
  And I'm driving a stolen car
  On a pitch black night
  And I'm telling myself
  I'm gonna be alright
  But I ride by night
  And I travel in fear
  In this darkness I will disappear Writer/s: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

• Gregor 1972 from GlasgowJay from Galloway, NJ's comment nailed the best description for me. Allegory, metaphor, interpretation are universal yet immediately personal and relatable.
  Bruce is a genius.
• Leif from Copenhagen, DenmarkThanks Jay. It is one of my favourite songs, but I have always wondererd about the lyrics. But your interpretation sounds extremely plausibel, and at least for me, sounds just right
• Ross from Offaly, Irelandstolen car on the tracks album is 1 of the best springsteen songs, he should have put that version on tunnel of love
• Jay from Galloway, NjThe "stolen car" is allegorical. This is a story about a person who feels he is living a lie or "driving a stolen car." The car driving represents traveling through life. The fact that it's stolen suggests this person's life is "someone else's" or untrue (his marriage/relationship/life).Many of Springsteen's songs are allegorical. They appear to be very simple on the surface but are often quite complex. The man's a poet.

More Songfacts:

Street Fighting ManThe Rolling Stones

Keith Richards did some studio alchemy on "Street Fighting Man," which is all acoustic except the bass.

Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'Journey

Journey lead singer Steve Perry wrote the rather dramatic "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" with the opening lyrics, "You make me weep, I wanna die," after seeing his girlfriend kissing another man.

Lotta LoveNicolette Larson

The Nicolette Larson hit "Lotta Love" was written by Neil Young, who recorded a very different version of the song.

BenMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson's first #1 solo hit, "Ben," is about a pet rat.

No More DramaMary J. Blige

The Mary J. Blige song "No More Drama" samples the theme to the appropriately dramatic soap opera The Young And The Restless.

She's A RainbowThe Rolling Stones

It was never a big hit, but "She's A Rainbow" became one of the most popular Rolling Stones songs in the digital age when it started showing up in commercials (iMac, Photoshop), and TV shows (American Horror Story: Coven, Ted Lasso).

Editor's Picks

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."