Depeche Mode: Behind the Wheel Meaning

Song Released: 1987

Behind the Wheel Lyrics

My little girl, drive anywhere
Do what you want, I don't care
Tonight, I'm in the hands of fate
I hand myself over on a plate, now

Oh little girl, there are times when I feel
I'd rather not be the one behind the wheel
Come, pull my...

1. anonymous

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   Sep 4th 2020 !⃝

   Simply offering control to the girl of his choice because he prefers it that way at times. Little girl is just a waY to desctibe the girl in question in this particular song. She may be below average in one or more physical attributes deeming the description all too valid. Try not to jump to conclusions on the darker side when interpreting song lyrics. They are sometimes very personal and shouldn't be translated literally. Besides if you want to hop up on the soapbox and shout "pedo" about a DM song this one is the wrong choice. An more appropriate selection for that is "A question of time", c'mon it literally says "You're only 15, but you look good"!!!
2. anonymous

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   Aug 8th 2020 !⃝

   This song is about submission. Martin Gore is a sex friend people. His particular penchant is BDSM, submissive role. It's in many of his songs and his fashion. Think of this as Master and Servant part ten.
3. anonymous

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   Apr 8th 2019 !⃝

   Again and again - do not take DM songs as trivial thing. It is not. Metaphors, for example, "my little girl" (ranged from master to servant, depending from context), can be perceived by everyone to the best of their depravity. It is not ONLY about sexual relationships between some real or imaginable personalities. Forget about ages, genders and positions - it is poetry. It is about love, but in a much wider range of meanings. Including spiritual of course. For example, "you behind a wheel" means someone life - symbolical driving - in safe hands. Exactly like in NLMDA journey with a "best friend", surely not a girl and not heroin. There is a links between songs. Note the priest in the clip - why he looks with such envy on them? Just because he is stupid? So, forget dominating girls in bed - it is banal. Keep calm, meditate and listen DM.
4. anonymous

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   Sep 7th 2018 !⃝

   I was talking about this tonight. The music is brilliant. But you have "A question of time".. "A question of lust".. Enjoy the Silence refers to "little girl" again. The BBC really promoted this band. And they protected Saville. While everyone is talking about Trump. I would like to see this discussed. It is on the one hand "Sweet 16" by Sedaka which is accepted as normal. BUt if you take a step back. THe only person interested in "little girls" and "sweet 16s" should be other 16 year olds. Not adults.
5. anonymous

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   Aug 13th 2017 !⃝

   The song and video told everything. It was clear. She was not underage. She is actually a grown-up girl. Pull my strings.. he wants to be influenced by his girl. He will follow her lead. I think it is only DS.. dominance, submission. About your third question, whatever his girl wants, he agrees. He likes anything she tells him to do. Yes, he cares because he loves her and they are a couple or they have a mutual understanding.
6. anonymous

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   Aug 12th 2017 !⃝

   I feel like there's more going on than the obvious. The music sounds dark, and it seems like his mind switches from one topic to the next. As if he really wants to talk about one thing, but can't. So he describes it abstractly.
   
   Why "my little girl"? Is she underage, is he a pedophile, is this incest?
   
   "Pull my strings"... Like a puppet... BDSM with the underaged. You know? Like... Ew. :\
   
   Why "do what you want, I don't care"?
   To me that sounds like a stepfather. Or more likely someone who manipulates others. And obviously he does care.
   
   Yeah, in my opinion something shady is going on here.
   
   I could be wrong. I'd love to know just what the heck this guy really meant when he wrote the song.
7. anonymous

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   Jan 21st 2011 !⃝

   I believe it is sexual. He's telling her to take control while he plays the submissive role.

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