The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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
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 Chrissie Hynde
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I 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.