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Rainbow's Cadillac Lyrics

He came to town with a strong pull
Would flash his moves for the worshipful
Shoulder moves from side to side
Go over your head, and dot your eyes

Every night about a quarter to ten
From the middle of June till the summer's end
People would gather from miles around
To see the mighty Rainbow knock 'em down

He'd pull up from around the back
Folks say, "There's Rainbow's Cadillac"
Fancy shirts and shorts of plaid
Coat of more colors than Joseph had

Every night about a quarter to ten
From the middle of June till the summer's end
People would gather from miles around
To see the mighty Rainbow knock 'em down

Take a quarter form the collection plate
Every night he would dominate
Jump to the topand pick off a dime
Throw it down at the proper time

Every night about a quarter to ten
From the middle of June till the summer's end
People would gather from miles around
To see the mighty Rainbow knock 'em down
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Cover art for Rainbow's Cadillac lyrics by Bruce Hornsby

It's about a basketball star in a small town.

@misha01 It's a song about the star player in a summer basketball league. Bruce is a huge fan of basketball, mostly U. of Virginia. Rainbow is a term for a long jump shot, and making such a shot is sometimes said to be "knocking it down". A guy who can really jump high might be able to pick a dime off the top of a backboard. "Throwing it down" is a dunk. People might show their support by contributing money in a hat or collection plate.

Cover art for Rainbow's Cadillac lyrics by Bruce Hornsby

It's about a basketball star in a small town.

Cover art for Rainbow's Cadillac lyrics by Bruce Hornsby

I truly love this song and have thought a lot about it. Maybe my imagination ran away with me. I see Rainbow being an old blues type piano player and He would play at a seasonal road house in Canada or the UP. Hence from the middle of June to the summer's end. He wore a coat that had all the colors of the rainbow and the patrons knew he was playing when his Cadillac in the parking lot. His animated shoulder movements would indicate his passion. Dotting your eyes would be bringing the sounds to you that you love here. The collection plate was his only form of pay for his work. He was so good that people would come from miles around to hear him play. That's what I felt all along. Oh, Well.

Cover art for Rainbow's Cadillac lyrics by Bruce Hornsby

Who is Rainbow? Why does he drive a cadillac? Who is he knocking down? Is he a boxer? Anybody?

Old time faith healer. When you got healed you got knocked to the ground. Other hints are 'worshipful', and 'collection plate'. He drives a Cadillac.....because he can.

Old time faith healer. When you got healed you got knocked to the ground. Other hints are 'worshipful', and 'collection plate'. He drives a Cadillac.....because he can.

Cover art for Rainbow's Cadillac lyrics by Bruce Hornsby

Who is Rainbow? Why does he drive a cadillac? Who is he knocking down? Is he a boxer? Anybody?

Cover art for Rainbow's Cadillac lyrics by Bruce Hornsby

I always see Rainbow as a travelling old time revival minister. Collection plate - every night (back in the day) the revival would hold a service - people came far and wide from other churches (the far and wide bit).

Knocking 'em down refers to the "Heal!" part of the revival sermons.

My Interpretation
 
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