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Wilco — Passenger Side
Album: A.M.
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1089









Released: 1995
Length: 3:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Hey, wake up, your eyes weren't open wide
For the last couple of miles you've been swerving from side to side
You're gonna make me spill my beer
If you don't learn how to steer

Passenger side, passenger side
I don't like riding on the passenger side

Roll another number for the road
You're the only sober person I know
Won't you let me make you a deal
Just get behind the wheel

Passenger side, passenger side
I don't like riding on the passenger side

Should've been the driver
Could've been the one
I should've been your lover, but I hadn't seen...

Can you take me to the store, then the bank?
I've got five dollars we can put in the tank
I've got a court date coming this June
I'll be driving soon

Passenger side, passenger side
I don't like riding on the passenger side
I don't like riding on the passenger side
Comments (145)add comment
you never know what will happen driving them county roads in mississippi river bottoms

you could drive into the river, never to be seen again
This feels like a tribute song to the Replacements!
yes! one of my very fav wilco tunes! so great live!
Nice Neil Young callout.
make me spill my beer?

well...thats a Stag beer
brewed in their hometown of Belleville, IL
 rhlrstn wrote:

I think that's called "buying the album"

No shit sherlock
Oh, Rose.   The times we had. You got thrown out of the bars.. fighting, or just general craziness.  Always on the passenger side.  Our song on the digital J-box.  A patently ironic place to spin this one.   But a theme song of the times.    Love this album.  
There is something about not being in control while sitting shotgun. I struggle to relinquish that power and keep my mouth shut. 
 jp33442 wrote:

Love Wilco I want a Wilco only channel too


I think that's called "buying the album"
Oh haha I listened this time and now I know why he's on the passenger side!
this song could be about them driving down highway 159 out of Belleville, IL.

its a little swirvy. 
 Hey_Porter wrote:
This is a song about someone without a license and five dollars in the bank.  Sad.
 
 Bat wrote:

It's about someone who has lost his license because of a DWI.  And yea, it is a rather sad situation, but somehow I don't think that's how you meant it when you said Sad.
 
The person you were responding to (Hey_Porter) rated this song a "10"; so perhaps their use of the word "sad" was actually sympathetic and not derogatory.
This song and album is what made me fall in love with Wilco! Thanks RP!
Love Wilco I want a Wilco only channel too
Ah. The Belleville, Illinois boys  singing about driving around  farm fields across river from STL. 


Watch out...there's a cop!
I loooooooove this album.{#Bananajam}
Ahhhh. Wilco's best album. 


The character in this song sounds a lot like the loser in Cracker's "Mr. Wrong."
Love the early Wilco.  Still a lot of Uncle Tupelo in there.
 Hey_Porter wrote:
This is a song about someone without a license and five dollars in the bank.  Sad.

 
It's about someone who has lost his license because of a DWI.  And yea, it is a rather sad situation, but somehow I don't think that's how you meant it when you said Sad.
This is the song that got me into Wilco back in the day..great album. So glad they are still around!
This is a song about someone without a license and five dollars in the bank.  Sad.
 Hannio wrote:


I hate it when that happens.  It's almost as bad as having a detachable penis.

 


A lot of people think this is a pretty funny song, and to be honest I used to think the same thing.  But now I've come full circle and find it to be a terribly sad and moving song.
 hippiechick wrote:
This song always makes me laugh my ass off.
 

I hate it when that happens.  It's almost as bad as having a detachable penis.
Kind of sounds like Cracker to me...
You're the only sober person I know...  {#Drunk}
aLWAYS MAKES ME LAUGH
Fan of some Wilco...but unfortunately not this so much. 
actually it sounds like good Cracker
speaking of which Bill: how about a little B-double E - double R - U - N ?

Cynaera wrote:
I thought it was Todd Snider - it's got Snider's sense of humor and irony. Really love this song.... {#Bounce}


Classic!

This song always makes me laugh my ass off.
 lerxst wrote:
Sounds like bad Cracker.  And that's not good.
 
That is a very accurate description.

A fun song. I always saw it as Tweedy's nod to Neil Young's "Roll Another Number". Neil and Jeff's crazy DUI antics... {#Naughty}
 Lewis_Cooper wrote:

I photographed Wilco last year in their only show West of the Mississippi at the Aspen Jazz Festival, you can see photos here:

https://gonzoshots.com/archives/7492

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco

 
Good stuff in there!
 lerxst wrote:
Sounds like bad Cracker.  And that's not good.
 
{#Lol}

I photographed Wilco last year in their only show West of the Mississippi at the Aspen Jazz Festival, you can see photos here:

https://gonzoshots.com/archives/7492

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco


Sounds like bad Cracker.  And that's not good.
 Cruzan wrote:
but musically, it sounds like this to me.......

plod, plod, plod, plod, plod, plooooood, plod, plod, plod, ad nauseum.
 
Nah, that's a bit unfair - ad tedium more like. Wilco and out.

This is a great, fun song!  Love this.
so good, so funny! 
"you're gonna make me spill my beer
if you don't learn how to steer" !
 Cruzan wrote:
but musically, it sounds like this to me.......

plod, plod, plod, plod, plod, plooooood, plod, plod, plod, ad nauseum.
 
...that's kind of the point to the song...
This reminds me of that other Wilco song.
I thought it was Todd Snider - it's got Snider's sense of humor and irony.  Really love this song.... {#Bounce}
I thought this was Cracker. Love the song. Would love it more if they would pick up the pace a notch.
Yes!  More Wilco is better: bumper stickers should be issued!

They are on a great tour right now: a must see!

{#Clap}
This is a fun record.
Gotta give an 8 to any song that has lyrics concerned with someone spilling their beer!

{#Tongue}
The embodiment of "meh". 


but musically, it sounds like this to me.......

plod, plod, plod, plod, plod, plooooood, plod, plod, plod, ad nauseum.

The melody was so uninteresting I never even listened to the lyrics. I will pay more attention next time.

To me the lryics are secondary. That's probably why I don't like Springstein much either.........
was he drunk when he sang this?
This song makes me laugh every time. Love Tweedy!
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Exactly in the way that Hemingway wrote whiny, navel gazing novels about stupid hunters. I've always found this song a plaintive, insightful essay on failure despite best intentions and the surrender of sobriety in the face of common life angst. Not particularly funny, despite a lot of wit in the lyric. I would say wry. A better take on describing the problem of too little education, too little pay and too little motivation than Springsteen ever crafted, in my book. What happens when there's a desire to rise above, but not a will or a way.
 

well said...
rajulkabir wrote:
A whiny, repetitive song about the joys of drunk driving. Bestill my beating heart.
Exactly in the way that Hemingway wrote whiny, navel gazing novels about stupid hunters. I've always found this song a plaintive, insightful essay on failure despite best intentions and the surrender of sobriety in the face of common life angst. Not particularly funny, despite a lot of wit in the lyric. I would say wry. A better take on describing the problem of too little education, too little pay and too little motivation than Springsteen ever crafted, in my book. What happens when there's a desire to rise above, but not a will or a way.


 gregmc15 wrote:

Robert Earl Keen
  Who also wrote one of the few holiday tunes I like 'Merry Christmas From the Family'. Priceless.

He also wrote 'Five Pound Bass'. Beez may know it...


 tom-kenna wrote:
Has anyone heard "You Keep Swerving in My Lane"? I don't remember the artist. This tune reminds me of that.
 
Robert Earl Keen
 skyguy wrote:
remember D.A.M.M.?
 
MMAD - Dyslexics Against Mad Mothers.

This song makes me laugh every time.
Ah yes, one of my favorite early Wilco tunes...for a number of reasons.  Thanks for playing it Bill! {#Cool}
Geez, in one week I heard this both on A Prairie Home Companion, and over the Chipotle PA. {#Confused}

Anyways, I think it's about someone being forced into a divorce he doesn't want.

 Smoove_D wrote:

These lines make me think it's about more than drunk driving and looking for a sober ride:

Should've been the driver
Could've been the one
I should've been your lover

But I hadn't seen Sounds like regret over a failed relationship that he didn't get to control.
 

 
... or someone in the passenger side was killed in a DUI crash.
 peter_james_bond wrote:

Not just an American phenomenon, drunk driving and driving without a license are also rampant in Canada.

 
That's because all you McKenzie brothers drink beer for breakfast.
This deserves a *bump* I think

 
Smoove_D wrote:

These lines make me think it's about more than drunk driving and looking for a sober ride:

Should've been the driver
Could've been the one
I should've been your lover
But I hadn't seen

Sounds like regret over a failed relationship that he didn't get to control.
 


Has anyone heard "You Keep Swerving in My Lane"? I don't remember the artist. This tune reminds me of that.
This band (like Sun Volt) I just don't get............
It seems like people are digging the lyrics but musically..........
There is not much here. I gave it a 2

remember D.A.M.M.?
This song gives me a laugh every time. Love Jeff and my hometown boys!!!
 HeyMickey wrote:
Apparently you didn't listen well enough.  Believe it or not, this "Trailer Trash" song (as some have suggested) is a rather poignant essay on the mentality of many people in this country who have lost their license due to drunk driving.  As one other listener said "For very personal reasons, this song makes me cry and smile at the same time."
 
Not just an American phenomenon, drunk driving and driving without a license are also rampant in Canada.

Reminds me of some of my friends from the High School days... I *had* my license!
I've always loved this song. Not sure why. I guess it's just because it is great, simple, straight-up americana.
 zipper wrote:
This song always makes me laugh and think of The Beez, so I'm instantly cheered up.
 

{#Lol}
 HeyMickey wrote:

Apparently you didn't listen well enough.  Believe it or not, this "Trailer Trash" song (as some have suggested) is a rather
poignant essay on the mentality of many people in this country who have lost their license due to drunk driving.  As one other listener said "For very personal reasons, this song makes me cry and smile at the same time."
 

...it think it's metaphorical of a much broader condition than simply driving in a car; that's its genius...

Stick to English, carajo.

 Shimmer wrote:
El stupido.
 


glad to be introduced to more wilco...like them more and more.
kind of remind me of pavement. no bad thing.
 rajulkabir wrote:
A whiny, repetitive song about the joys of drunk driving. Bestill my beating heart.
 
Apparently you didn't listen well enough.  Believe it or not, this "Trailer Trash" song (as some have suggested) is a rather
poignant essay on the mentality of many people in this country who have lost their license due to drunk driving.  As one other listener said "For very personal reasons, this song makes me cry and smile at the same time."


El stupido.
It's 12:30 am Sunday morning, at the library writing final papers and pouting that I'm not out partying with my friends on a Saturday night... But RP and Wilco have kept my pity-party away!  "You're gonna make me spill my beer, if you don't learn how to steer..."  Makes me giggle every time Music
This song always makes me laugh and think of The Beez, so I'm instantly cheered up.


i know wilco is good, but this song is just not for me.  {#Naughty}
 Excelsior wrote:
Apparently the world has run out of good music, because we're stuck with this.  {#Puke}
  
  {#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}{#Iamwithstupid}

dude you complain about EVERYTHING.  you have NOTHING positive to add, ever.  LIGHTEN up.

{#Motor}
LOVE this tune. 10
cc_rider wrote:
Sounds like there's am interesting story there...


Nothing too exciting - as per usual, it's to do with a boy.  And a Wilco concert.

 Shesdifferent wrote:
What happened to RP's great song blending ability? From Dusty Springfield to Wilco?
 

I think it fits - we need something to cool us down after that!
 vivakitty wrote:
For very personal reasons, this song makes me cry and smile at the same time.
  Sounds like there's am interesting story there...

(from one Elton John fan to another)


 Excelsior wrote:
And now this trailer-trash crap is playing AGAIN.  {#Puke}
  Yeppers! And this trailer trash is diggin' it!

Naw, it ain't Shakespeare, and it sure ain't Pavarotti, but it's real life.


For very personal reasons, this song makes me cry and smile at the same time.
Apparently the world has run out of good music, because we're stuck with this.  {#Puke}
And now this trailer-trash crap is playing AGAIN.  {#Puke}
Guaranteed to make me laugh everytime.
Shesdifferent wrote:
What happened to RP's great song blending ability? From Dusty Springfield to Wilco?

More importantly, what happened to RP's great songs??  Why are we listening to this crap??

What happened to RP's great song blending ability? From Dusty Springfield to Wilco?
I did not have a car for a while way back when.............it was a drag on the passenger side.

pannaramma wrote:
I've been in that car.
Probably while I was driving! "You buy and I'll fly!"
2:18 pm - Dusty Springfield - The Look of Love 2:21 pm - Wilco - Passenger Side From the sublime to the rediculous
I think it's funny. It's a would'a, could'a, should'a song. rockasaurus wrote:
This is hands down one of the dumbest songs I have ever heard.
you must not have been listening to music long very then. rockasaurus wrote:
This is hands down one of the dumbest songs I have ever heard.
This is hands down one of the dumbest songs I have ever heard.
I've been in that car.
sooooooo bad.
I had a buddy back in high school that probably helped write this song.
Soooo funny!! This should be my husband's theme song!!! hahahaha!! Great song!
Tell me over and over again my friend.You don't believe we're on the eve of destruction.
This song always gives me a big laugh!!!
ziggytrix wrote:
yeah, I thought it was Cracker before I looked
and again I come to the site to see what Cracker album this is from...
A whiny, repetitive song about the joys of drunk driving. Bestill my beating heart.
First Wilco I ever heard, and still love it and the band. Plus this song hits a nerve since my crappy eyesight keeps me from driving. I spend my life in the shotgun seat. :)
Smoove_D wrote:
Sounds like regret over a failed relationship that he didn't get to control.
Nice. Thanks for helping me see the deeper meanings. I like art where there's a code to crack.
fpduffer wrote:
ummmm, isn't this song about drunk driving?
These lines make me think it's about more than drunk driving and looking for a sober ride: Should've been the driver Could've been the one I should've been your lover But I hadn't seen Sounds like regret over a failed relationship that he didn't get to control.
it's about the passenger being drunk, hence the title. thanks, mr. obvious. fpduffer wrote:
ummmm, isn't this song about drunk driving?
"You're gonna make me spill my beer, if you don't learn how to steer"... if I had a quarter for every time I said that!
BGGA wrote:
This is my college aged son's theme song! LOL
ummmm, isn't this song about drunk driving?
etwilson wrote:
Greatest lyric ever!: You're gonna make me spill my beer, If you don't learn how to steer
Yes! That, and "I don't want to sit across the table from you wishing I could run" (Cake)
This is my college aged son's theme song! LOL
Would be great to follow this with Happy Birthday to Me by Cracker...
ziggytrix wrote:
yeah, I thought it was Cracker before I looked
Thought it was Rhett Miller. Confusing.
Middleton wrote:
Great CD. I must admit that this is the Wilco I fell for. I'm all for bands growing & expanding, but I prefer the Americana roots music to the more esoteric stoner jams they're doing lately.
Agreed. I love both "AM" and "Being There." But their music stopped speaking to me around the time of Summer Teeth.
littleblueriver7 wrote:
Hm. Not the Wilco I'm familiar with but I like it. :)
yeah, I thought it was Cracker before I looked
Wilco, Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, are all awesome. This song in particular