Gimme The Car

Album: Violent Femmes (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about someone trying to talk his dad into letting him have the car for the night for the sole purpose of date-raping someone he knows, probably by intoxicating her and taking advantage while she is helpless. Lead singer/songwriter Gordon Gano has said that this song is in no way autobiographic, but rather a snapshot of teen angst that (almost) everyone has encountered at least once. He also says that it's one of his parents' least favorite Femmes songs, though they are always supportive of his musical ventures. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    James - Iowa City, IA
  • Gordon Gano was expelled from his school because of this song. He was asked to play an appropriate song for an assembly and he played this instead. The Femmes made a reference to this event in a song called "Kiss Off." When Gano sings, "this will go down on your permanent record," he is referring to his expulsion.
  • Along with "Ugly," this is a bonus track featured on the reissue of The Femmes debut 1983 album. It can also be found on the compilation album Add It Up: 1983-1993. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Kristy - La Porte City, IA

Comments: 6

  • Julia from Pacific GroveI’ve been a VF fan since the 80s. In fact, my sister and I are going to see them in San Francisco TONIGHT! I hate this song. It IS a rape song. Getting a girl high and doing whatever is rape.
  • Anonymous from UsaYou're genuinely retarded if you think this song is about rape. Its clearly about how he wants to meet up with a girl, cop some feels, bust a nut, etc.
  • Mike from Glen Ridge, NjI have heard that most of the best Violent Femmes songs were written by Gano while he was in prison..er..high school. Amazing to display such song writing genius as a teenager.
  • Brent from Indy-ish, InThis is why Gordon Gano is my hero
  • Dylan from Port Orange, FlBest song ever written.
  • Jeff from Atlanta, GaThis is what I've heard: he was gonna be inducted into the national honor society, and he asked them if he and brian could play a song at the induction ceremony. He started off playing a ballad, but lead into playing Gimme the car, which caused a riot. The very next day he was expelled from the National Honor Society.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.