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The Last Chance Texaco Lyrics

A long stretch of headlights
Bends into I-9
Tiptoe into truck stops
And sleepy diesel eyes
Volcanoes rumble in the taxi
And glow in the dark
Camels in the driver's seat
A slow, easy mark

But you ran out of gas
Down the road a piece
Then the battery went dead
And now the cable won't reach...

It's your last chance
To check under the hood
Last chance
She ain't soundin' too good,
Your last chance
To trust the man with the star
You've found the last chance Texaco

Well, he tried to be Standard
He tries to be Mobil
He tried living in a World
And in a Shell
There was this block-busted blonde
He loved her - free parts and labor
But she broke down and died
And threw all the rods he gave her

But this one ain't fuel-injected
Her plug's disconnected
She gets scared and she stalls
She just needs a man, that's all

It's her last chance
Her timing's all wrong
Her last chance
She can't idle this long
Her last chance
Turn her over and go
Pullin' out of the last chance Texaco
The last chance
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8 Meanings

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Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

On one level A woman who get's by by servicing random truckers at truck stops (A slow, easy mark) finally finds herself in big trouble (ran out of gas Down the road a piece Then the battery went dead And now the cable won't reach) And she's coming to grips with the fact that she's tired and running out of moves and options and if she doesn't find the right "Man with the Star" at this Truck Stop (who can't fix all her problems) then she's a goner.

Meanwhile, the Trucker that she's hoping will be her savior, is dealing with the loss of what felt like a good relationship (with the block-busted blonde) Now he's left with the decision to try to replace her with this scared gal with disconnected plugs.

I also like the sound effect she does of the cars zooming by.

@HahnFurst
Excellent summary. In short, I think it is a mutual reluctance. But I choose to think the fuel which allows them to finally just ‘turn it over & go’ is their last shred of hope (or even desperation or resignation) and will be enough for a stretch of easy driving.

@HahnFurst perfect understanding of this song in my mind at least it’s the fear of anyone still single in later life,lost their spark a little and realise that you’re not quite at your best anymore and this is obvious in your body and mind,you still have enough gas to give it a blast out of that last petrol station so give it a go,try not to be scared…yet

Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

This song has such a wonderful vocal performance by Rickie. The song is again an example of the lyrics not really being all that important to total experience. I really don’t know what this song is about but I think this song uses references to vehicle repair or maintenance as a metaphor for fixing or acquiring a relationship. I am always amused by the line “trust the man with the star” because it refers to the old Texaco TV commercials.

Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

Of course the word 'shell' should also be written with a capital S.

'World' should also be capitalized. It's in reference to World gas stations.

Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

The song couldn't be more self explanatory.

Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

Bad luck, she is escaping. Lucks running out. Truck stop. Hoping to get a lift with a kind hearted trucker (driving a Western Star). Great song.

Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

I love the sounds of the cars going by too. Such a great song, performance, story.

Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

LOL...

Cover art for The Last Chance Texaco lyrics by Rickie Lee Jones

The song couldn't be more self explanatory.