Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of someone making a decisive, perhaps regretful, departure. The imagery of "motor away" and "drive away" suggests a physical movement, a leaving behind of a significant place or situation. The "once-red lips" could imply a vibrant past or a passionate relationship now fading with the act of leaving. There's a sense of urgency and finality, as if this departure is a point of no return, a "chance of a lifetime" being either seized or squandered.
The central tension lies in the conflicting motivations for leaving. Initially, it's framed as "the chance of a lifetime," a positive opportunity. However, this is immediately undercut by the narrator's plea, "Oh, why don't you just drive away?" and the second verse's assertion, "You can't lie to yourself / That it's the chance of a lifetime." This suggests the departure might be driven by external pressure or a misguided belief, rather than genuine opportunity, creating a poignant internal conflict for the person leaving.
The chorus offers a stark duality: the freedom to become whoever is expected ("anyone they told you to") and the power to silence dissent ("belittle every little voice"). This highlights a potential Faustian bargain. The act of "adding up the numbers" implies a future reckoning, a moment of truth where the consequences of this choice will be tallied. The repetition of "the time will come" emphasizes the inevitability of this evaluation, whether it brings satisfaction or sorrow.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their ambiguity and the raw emotional undercurrent. The narrator seems to be both urging someone to leave and questioning the wisdom of their departure. This creates a complex emotional landscape, leaving the listener to ponder the true cost of "motoring away" and whether the freedom gained is worth the potential loss.
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