Dwight Yoakam – Guitars, Cadillacs

About The Song

“Guitars, Cadillacs” is a landmark song by Dwight Yoakam, both for the artist and country music as a whole. Here’s a breakdown of its background, themes, and lyrics:

Background:

  • Released in 1986, it was the second single from Yoakam’s debut album, “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” This album marked Yoakam’s introduction and helped establish a new traditionalist movement in country music.
  • The song was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 4 on the US charts and number 2 in Canada. It’s considered a classic of the genre.

Themes:

  • The song revolves around the romanticized aspects of country life: fast cars (Cadillacs), music (Guitars), and heartbreak.
  • It portrays a yearning for escape and freedom, often associated with these symbols.
  • The lyrics hint at a rebellious nature and a rejection of mainstream country music trends at the time.

Lyrics:

The opening line sets the scene: “I was born in a Kentucky town, a place they call Pikeville.” The narrator reminisces about small-town life and dreams of a bigger world.

Lines like “Gonna trade this whole town for a fast ماشین (machine)” (original: “Gonna trade this whole town for a fast machine”) and “Gonna buy a Cadillac, gonna drive it like I stole it” emphasize the desire for escape and a touch of outlaw spirit.

The emotional core centers around lost love: “She broke my heart in a honky-tonk haze, but I won’t let it ruin my whole damn maze.” Despite the heartbreak, the narrator remains optimistic and determined to move on.

Legacy:

“Guitars, Cadillacs” is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a statement of artistic identity and a cornerstone of the neotraditional country movement. Yoakam’s distinctive vocals and the song’s Bakersfield sound continue to resonate with fans today.

Video

Lyric

  Let’s sing along with the lyrics!

Girl you taught me how to hurt real bad and cry myself to sleepYou showed me how this town can shatter dreamsAnother lesson about a naive fool that came to BabylonAnd found out that the pie don’t taste so sweet
Now it’s guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly musicLonely, lonely streets that I call homeYeah my guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly musicIs the only thing that keeps me hanging on
There ain’t no glamour in this tinseled land of lost and wasted livesAnd painful scars are all that’s left of meOh but thank you girl for teaching me brand new ways to be cruelIf I can find my mind now, I guess I’ll just leave
And it’s guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly musicLonely, lonely streets that I call homeYeah my guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly musicIs the only thing that keeps me hanging on
Oh it’s guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly musicLonely, lonely streets that I call homeYeah my guitars, Cadillacs, hillbilly musicIs the only thing that keeps me hanging on
It’s the only thing that keeps me hanging onIt’s the only thing that keeps me hanging on