A mystical eastern excursion about a junky old car. Very up and rocking and yes, it's a sitar.

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Mark Mikel: Davey Murnen came over one day with a Chieftains CD and suggested we write something sort of in that style. I tried to cop the Irish thing on guitar but it just came out sounding much more eastern (go figure). It wasn't really what he was going for but we both agreed we had something pretty cool. Davey (as he always does) wrote the words in about ten minutes.
The Pillbugs recorded it a couple of times before we were happy with it. The first version was faster with no sitar and the bridge lyrics were different. One overdub was actually transferred from one version to the other. That was the sound of Dan Chalmers banging a cymbal while Mark Kelley swung the mic like Roger Daltrey. That happens during the "how could I know where you'd take me" bit. I love using moving mics for strange effects. This song (without sitar and swinging mic) has since become a staple in our live shows.

An old Chrysler stands in the car park
Tall and lean he'll take you for a ride
Ride the thoughts that's kept in check
The time with him is time well spent

Clean the spokes of old Charlie Blue Car
Hold on fast the road you won't believe
Leave his hand along the way
To smooth the road that's been unpaved

How could I know where you'd take me

Just like shoes upon plaza window
Sounds of streets that fills my ringing ears
Ears and my reality
To keep in check what's been perceived

Miss the voice of old Mrs. Blue Car
Tired lessons drilled in my seething head
Head is filled with engine noise
Blocking out the need for muffled sound

How could I know where you'd take me

Run close to the blue Chrysler
It rolls right by
Don't crash or you won't last
I must ask
How could I know where you'd take me

Happy lad seems to be go lucky
Curly blonde not tall and dark and thin
Thin-like youthful sporty model
Office filled with soda bottles

Green light go you're hardly moving
Stop the car the devil's on the bus
Bus outside is cold and waiting
Hope filled eyes that long for one more ride

How could I know where you took me