Among the eccentric treasures of A Night at the Opera, Roger Taylor’s “I’m in Love with My Car” stands out as both tongue-in-cheek and deadly serious. What began as a band in-joke — Taylor’s ode to his Alfa Romeo, later linked to roadie Johnathan Harris’s Triumph TR4 — evolved into one of Queen’s most notorious B-sides. Musically it is a gritty, pounding rocker driven by Taylor’s raspy vocal and Brian May’s thunderous guitar, parodying romantic ballads while celebrating mechanical obsession. Its opening lines set the stage: instead of love for a person, the narrator croons about chrome, pistons and gasoline — a flamboyant inversion of rock’s typical love song.
A Night At The Opera -
I’m in Love with My Car
#
Lyric line
Interpretation & Notes
Opening — Revving up 0:00–0:40
1
The machine of a dream, such a clean machine
Taylor introduces his car as a pristine, dreamlike marvel, setting a tone of awe and affection.
2
With the pistons a-pumpin’ and the hubcaps all gleam
Vivid imagery celebrates the car’s mechanical vitality and polished allure, evoking a sense of pride.
3
When I’m holding your wheel
A tactile connection to the car, personifying it as a partner, with “wheel” suggesting control and intimacy.
4
All I hear is your gear
The car’s sounds dominate, emphasizing its mechanical voice as a source of fascination.
5
When my hand’s on your grease gun
A playful double entendre, blending car maintenance with suggestive innuendo, adding humor.
6
Oh it’s like a disease, son
The obsession with the car is likened to an inescapable affliction, highlighting its consuming allure.
Chorus — Full throttle devotion 0:40–1:20
7
I’m in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile
The chorus declares unapologetic love, elevating the car to a romantic partner with rock ‘n’ roll swagger.
8
Get a grip on my boy racer rollbar
A nod to the thrill of speed and control, with “boy racer” injecting youthful, rebellious energy.
9
Such a thrill when your radials squeal
The sensory rush of screeching tires is celebrated, capturing the adrenaline of driving.
Verse 2 — Cruising defiance 1:20–2:00
10
Told my girl I’ll have to forget her
The car takes precedence over human romance, humorously prioritizing mechanical love.
11
Rather buy me a new carburetor
A cheeky choice to invest in the car over relationships, emphasizing material devotion.
12
So she made tracks saying this is the end now
The girlfriend exits, unable to compete with the car, adding a comedic twist to the narrative.
13
Cars don’t talk back, they’re just four-wheeled friends now
A tongue-in-cheek justification, praising the car’s silent loyalty over human complexity.
Bridge & Chorus — Mechanical ecstasy 2:00–2:40
14
When I’m cruisin’ in overdrive
The thrill of high-speed driving is likened to a euphoric state, amplifying the car’s allure.
15
Don’t have to listen to no run-of-the-mill talk jive
The car offers an escape from mundane conversation, reinforcing its role as a liberating companion.
16
I’m in love with my car, gotta feel for my automobile
The chorus returns, reaffirming the passionate bond with the car, delivered with infectious energy.
17
I’m in love with my car, string back gloves in my automolove
A final flourish, with “string back gloves” evoking a retro driver’s style, sealing the car’s romanticized status.
Reading guide: A high-octane blend of rock swagger and campy devotion, the track channels Roger Taylor’s love for cars into a playful yet fervent anthem. Mechanical obsession vs. human connection , raw energy vs. humorous exaggeration , and freedom vs. everyday constraints create a dynamic tension. Taylor transforms a personal passion into a universal celebration of speed and loyalty, cementing Queen’s eclectic brilliance.
| # | Lyric line | Interpretation & Notes |
|---|
| # | Lyric line | Interpretation & Notes |
|---|