Middle Of The Road (version 1)

The Pretenders

The middle of the road is trying to find me
I'm standing in the middle of life with my plans behind me
Well I got a smile for everyone I meet
As long as you don't try dragging my bay
Or dropping the bomb on my street

Now come on baby
Get in the road
Oh come on now
In the middle of the road, yeah

In the middle of the road you see the darnedest things
Like fat guys driving 'round in jeeps through the city
Wearing big diamond rings and silk suits
Past corrugated tin shacks full up with kids
Oh man I don't mean a Hampstead nursery
When you own a big chunk of the bloody third world
The babies just come with the scenery

Oh come on baby
Get in the road
Oh come on now
In the middle of the road, yeah

The middle of the road is no private cul-de-sac
I can't get from the cab to the curb
Without some little jerk on my back
Don't harass me, can't you tell
I'm going home, I'm tired as hell
I'm not the cat I used to be
I got a kid, I'm thirty-three

Baby, get in the road
Come on now
In the middle of the road
Yeah


Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

Middle of the Road Lyrics as written by Christine Hynde

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

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Middle Of The Road (version 1) song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment"I can't get from the cab to the curb without some little jerk on my back". Not too many lines in any rock songs that are better than that.
    JumpyJackon June 27, 2006   Link
  • +1
    Song MeaningThis song is great.
    There is 8 beats in all from the guitar solo to her picking it up-
    She counts and you can hear her up til about 5.
    :) I know that "I'm too old for this shit" feeling.
    Classic.
    Thia007on November 23, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt's a song about aproaching middle age.
    kfe2on February 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt's about being famous and also having a private life. She wants people to leave her alone.
    Yinkyon June 03, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI agree this song is about middle age and coming to terms with life and maybe recognizing the world for what it is despite youthful ideals. Middle of the road seems like a phrase to mean living in balance and even keel.

    The section about rich guys driving through the slums seems like she's saying this is how the world is and what can you do. A biblical phrase comes to mind - The poor you will always have with you and that is true today as it was 2000 years ago.

    She also said she has a smile for everyone as long as they don't mistreat her. It seems a sentiment of live and let live or maybe live and let die. She has her hands full with her job, her kid, her life and she's just trying to do her best and will treat you well if you treat her well.
    jelaplanon March 25, 2020   Link
  • -2
    General CommentIt’s about her not getting pregnant again after having a kid at 33. But she still want to have fun. But there a lot of guys that want to hit it. So get in the middle of the road (her vagina) but don’t drop a bomb in my street (get me pregnant).
    Cacaman68on May 30, 2019   Link

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