What do you think Strangers in the Car means?

Marc Cohn: Strangers in the Car Meaning

Tagged:   No tags, suggest one.
Album cover for Strangers in the Car album cover

Strangers in the Car Lyrics

There's a stranger in a car
Driving down your street
Acts like he knows who you are
Slaps his hand on the
empty seat and says
"Are you gonna get in
Or are you gonna stay out?"
Just a stranger in a car
Might be the one they told you about

Well...

Write your interpretation
Notify me of new interps
  1. Katt
    click a star to vote
     Feb 27th 2019 !⃝

    I think this song is about two people in a new relationship.
    He is giving her the opportunity to take a chance on him, on life and on each other.
    No guarantees in life, or in a new relationship - could lead to heaven, or hell!
    The melody suggests he's wanting to be romantic about his proposal, but the lyrics suggest he wants to hold something back...
    It's safter to act nonchalant .....

  2. Katt
    click a star to vote
     Feb 27th 2019 !⃝

    I think the song is about a couple taking a chance - together.
    They don't know what lies ahead, but who really does in a new relationship?
    He is giving her the opportunity to take a chance on him, and with him...
    He can't promise heaven, it may be hell, but they could find out together.....

  3. BoFinney77
    click a star to vote
     Oct 14th 2018 !⃝

    I saw the movie about the Green River Killer mentioned previously.It fits the mood and story perfectly.However since the song is older than the film I think it fits better with a story like Bundy's.Definitely sounds like a serial killer theme tho.It would be a perfect theme song for the new Bundy biopic coming out next year!! It would have the same feel as Madonnas Live To Tell had in At Close Range. A Truly hauntingly beautiful melody.

  4. anonymous
    click a star to vote
     Jul 5th 2018 !⃝

    The one they told you about but still you trusted that all was well when in your heart you knew it was not. You got in that car or alley or stairwell willingly as a child & came to know survival is best at all cost.

  5. anonymous
    click a star to vote
     Apr 30th 2018 !⃝

    I think the song is about opportunities that life (or a greater force...some would say our creator, whatever name you give him/her) sends our way and our decision to act on them; to let faith and trust be our guiding force....see where they lead us, or choose to be led by fear and doubt, possibly missing out on something that would have been wonderful, something that was meant for us to experience.
    Every decision that we make in our lives, every action that we take is either influenced by love and trust or fear and doubt. As pointed out in the lyrics, these decisions could be the highway to heaven or the road to ruin.

  6. anonymous
    click a star to vote
     Aug 5th 2016 !⃝

    I think it's about a prostitute being called to a johns car. She gets in and she has no idea who he is or if he will kill her or treat her nicely. Two strangers in a car who barely know eachother . Strangers in a car, that's all they really are.
    Watch Capture of the Green River Killer and it totally made sense to me.
    Great song.


More Marc Cohn songs »


 


Latest Articles

 


Submit Your Interpretation

[ want a different song? ]