Released: 2017
Ah, “Highway Tune” by Greta Van Fleet—this is where the rubber meets the road in the resurgence of classic rock vibes for the modern era. What we’ve got here is a high-octane love anthem, riding the fast lane with its foot firmly planted on the accelerator of youthful passion and desire. The lyrics, soaked in the raw energy and straightforward expression characteristic of rock’s golden age, deliver a fervent ode to a love that’s as exhilarating and liberating as a highway drive. It’s a powerhouse track that doesn’t just nod to its rock predecessors; it revs the engine in their honor.
The opening lines, “Oh mama, We’re stopping at the green light girl Because I want to get your signal,” kick things off with a burst of young love’s urgency and confusion. Here, the green light typically signals ‘go’ in both the literal and metaphorical sense, but our lead vocalist is paradoxically stopping. Why? He’s utterly captivated, wanting to ensure he’s reading the signs correctly from his love interest rather than speeding ahead and risking it all. It’s that moment of thrilling hesitation, a mix of desire to move forward and the fear of misinterpreting the signals.
The refrain, “You are my special, You are my special, You are my midnight, midnight yeah” hammers home the depth of his infatuation. Classifying someone as your ‘midnight’ is to say they’re your end and your beginning; the moment of darkness that’s simultaneously a promise of dawn. It’s poetic, underscoring the time of day often associated with deep, introspective emotions, and significant life moments. Greta Van Fleet repackages the intensity of ’60s and ’70s rock love expressions with a freshness that’s palpable.
As the song progresses, the words “We’re stopping on the highway girl Because I want to burn my gas” shift gears slightly. Here, the highway – a symbol of freedom, adventure, and sometimes recklessness – serves as the backdrop for this burgeoning relationship. Choosing to ‘burn gas’ is not just about spending fuel; it’s about willingly expending your energy, your resources, and your time on someone. In rock tradition, the imagery of the open road often parallels the restless, wandering nature of love and life, and Greta Van Fleet taps into this vein brilliantly.
Through its choruses of “So sweet, so fine, so nice, all mine,” the song encapsulates the possessiveness and exclusivity often associated with intense romantic encounters. Yet, it’s not sinister; it’s celebratory, echoing the band’s ability to take what might sound assertive and turning it into a jubilant declaration of love. The repetition of “mine mine” serves as both a mantra and a declaration, a youthful stake of claim in the dizzying world of love.
In “Highway Tune,” Greta Van Fleet doesn’t just play music; they conjure an emotion, a moment in time. It’s as much an homage to the legendary rock of yesteryears as it is a contemporary love story set against the backdrop of the open road. Through strategic pauses, roaring guitars, and fervent vocals, the band has crafted a song that’s both a nod to the past and a stamp on the future of rock. At its core, it’s about the thrill of the chase, the beauty of youth, and the timeless, all-consuming nature of love.
