For those in a rush: Gregory Alan Isakov’s “Big Black Car” is a beautifully nostalgic piece, speaking volumes about love, loss, and the passage of time. The song is about the songwriter’s exploration of a past relationship, packed with rich metaphors and evocative imagery. It’s not directly about a specific person, but more so about the collective experiences that define and shape us.
The songwriter seeks to communicate the haunting feeling of heartbreak, symbolized by the “big black car”, and how it can linger and reappear throughout one’s life. The song is an attempt to understand, and eventually let go of, the past. Isakov wrote it to delve into his personal experiences, with a yearning for acceptance and closure.
Intrigued by a song that wears its heart on its sleeve? Read on to delve deeper into the nuanced layers of “Big Black Car” and discover how Isakov paints a vivid, poignant tapestry of love and loss with his words.
“Big Black Car” Lyrics Meaning
At the outset, “You were a phonograph, I was a kid” sets the nostalgic tone. Isakov uses the phonograph, an old music player, to represent a beloved memory, and he is the kid, wide-eyed and listening, absorbing those sounds and memories. It highlights the youthful innocence, passion, and a sense of awe, as one does when encountering something beautiful for the first time.
The line, “Well, time has a way of throwing it all in your face. The past, she is haunted, the future is laced” beautifully encapsulates the haunting pull of past relationships. The past is portrayed as a haunting ghost, a continuous reminder of what was lost. The future, on the other hand, is laced, signifying its uncertainty and the potential for both pain and hope.
Isakov’s heartbreak is personified as a “big black car,” a shadowy, ominous presence that he can’t control. He’s “in the back seat, just minding his own,” expressing the feeling of helplessness during a heartbreak, a passenger in the car of emotional pain.
Further, the lyric “Through the carnival we watch them go round and round, all we knew of home was just a sunset and some clowns” illustrates the chaotic and transient nature of love. The carnival and its spinning rides become a metaphor for the dizzying, confusing, and often transient nature of relationships. The sunset signifies endings, the clowns represent the facades people often wear in relationships, and the fleeting definition of “home” they had together.
Finally, Isakov describes himself as a “Plain Jane,” walking through rain-soaked sidewalks and getting immersed in the stories of a “magazine.” This is a humbling self-portrayal, showing his longing to understand and be part of something exciting, reflecting an emotional landscape of yearning, introspection, and resilience.
The Story Behind “Big Black Car”
Gregory Alan Isakov wrote “Big Black Car” during a contemplative phase in his life, grappling with his experiences of love and loss. The song isn’t about a specific person or event but is more a reflection of his emotions at that time.
His lyrics are an exploration of his past relationships, an attempt to make sense of the feeling of heartbreak and its impact. By using vivid metaphors and evocative imagery, Isakov unpacks the pain, confusion, and eventual acceptance that come with such profound experiences.
He explores the universality of these emotions, making “Big Black Car” a relatable song that resonates with many listeners. It’s a testament to his songwriting skills and his ability to express common human emotions in a unique and engaging way.