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Panama Lyrics

Jump back, what's that sound ?
Here she comes, full blast and top down.
Hot shoe, burnin' down the avenue.
Model citizen zero discipline

Don't you know she's coming home with me?
You'l lose her in the turn.
I'll get her!

Chorus:
Panama, Panama
Panama, Panama

Ain't nothin' like it, her shiny machine.
Got the feel for the wheel, keep the moving parts clean.
Hot shoe, burnin' down the avenue,
Got an on-ramp comin' through my bedroom.

Don't you know she's coming home with me?
You'll lose her in the turn.
I'll get her!

Chorus

Yeah, we're runnin' a little bit hot tonight.
I can barely see the road from the heat comin' off of it.
Ah, you reach down, between my legs,
ease the seat back.

She's blinding, I'm flying,
Right behind the rear-view mirror now.
Got the feeling, power steering,
Pistons popping, ain't no stopping now!

Chorus
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer
Alex Van Halen, Edward Van Halen, David Roth
Duration
3:32
Producer
Ted Templeman
Release date
Mar 28, 1984
Sentiment
Positive
Submitted by
boonechic_21 On Jun 02, 2001
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35 Meanings

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Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

Roth said nothing about a stripper. He wrote the lyrics after a day at the drag races, where he'd seen a car named the Panama Express. During the middle part of the song where Dave says "I can barely see the road from the heat comin' off..." you can hear Eddie revving his Lamborghini in the background, which was backed up to the studio. Microphones were then attached to the exhaust pipes. The band then recorded the sound of the engine revving.

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

I have to say that the lyric seems constructed in a similar fashion as Led Zeppelin's "Trampled Underfoot" was, relating a car to a woman, and sex. ^____^

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

Man David Lee Roth Van Halen is so cool. Such a great band, the music was so fun. You can just tell these guys had fun making that music, it just comes through the speakers.

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

I've come to the conclusion that Van Halen PURPOSELY engineered their songs to be confusing and really have no meaning at all.

People will be analizing their songs for years to come.

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

This song is about car's and women. "got an on ramp comin through my bedroom" isn't about a car, but about DLR talking how's he's gonna get laid (again). The 3rd verse is all about sex and is quite steamy:P

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

"... and lean the seat back."

Cracks me up every time. XD

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

oh my god I just realized how many lyrics I've misheard

me too!!

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

I always thought this was about street racing, betting the car on the result, "Don't you know she's coming home with me?" meaning that he's going to get the other guy's car.

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

Fast cars, gorgeous woman, having a good time - That's how I interpret this song.

Cover art for Panama lyrics by Van Halen

It seems like it's about a girl ("got an on-ramp comin' though my bedroom") but inspired by drag-racing. I can't get enough of car/sex metaphors...