Story Behind The Song
This is the third city version of this song. The first was written for the Democratic National Convention traffic jams in Boston in 2004, and it was performed live on Boston TV stations FOX25, and WHDH. Then, I was asked to write a similar song for the Republican National Convention in New York City in 2004, and I wrote that and CNBC - Reporter Jane Wells featured "You Can't Get There From Here," RNC Version, in a report about New York traffic at the Republican National Convention, 2004. Next, I wrote this one for Nashville -- changing the names of the highways and other circumstances to match Nashville's traffic problems.
Song Description
This is a high spirited song about a driver in Nashville who 'can't get there from here' because she keeps running into traffic problems, she meets an "endless sea of brake lights," and she has a biker on her windshield and a trucker up her rear. She tries to go down the breakdown lane, but gets pulled over by a policeman.
Finally, the traffic is so bad the policeman opens up his cooler and hands her a beer, because they can't get there from here.
| Song Length |
4:02 |
Genre |
Country - Americana, Country - Americana |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
In High Spirits, Jovial |
Subject |
Cars, City |
| Similar Artists |
Miranda Lambert, Miranda Lambert |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
I was driving down to Nashville, heading in on 65,
When I had to slam my brakes on, and pray that I'd survive!
They were diggin' up the highway and the detour signs were clear:
Oh, you can't get there from here!
No, you can't get there from here,
Though your line of sight is clear.
The highway's blocked and traffic's come full stop,
And an endless sea of brake lights is screaming loud and clear:
Oh, you can't get there from here!
'Bout a half a dozen traffic cops were pointing out the way:
"Go left, go right, straight down that ramp - we swear we know what's best!"
But, before I knew it I was caught, on Nashville's biggest parking lot!
I was on 440 West.
And, you can't get there from here,
Though your line of sight is clear.
The highway's blocked and traffic's come full stop,
And an endless sea of brake lights is screaming loud and clear:
Oh, you can't get there from here!
I went sneakin' down the breakdown lane, bookin' precious time,
When that trooper up ahead forced me to squeeze back into line.
Now there's a biker on my windshield, and a trucker up my rear,
And I can't get there from here.
No, you can't get there from here,
Though your line of sight is clear.
The highway's blocked and traffic's come full stop,
And an endless sea of brake lights is screaming loud and clear:
Oh, you can't get there from here!
I was parked 3 hours on 24, when my radiator burst.
The trooper stuck beside me said "This jam-up is the worst!"
Then he opened up his cooler and he handed me a beer,
'Cause we can't get there from here!
No, you can't get there from here,
Though your line of sight is clear.
The highway's blocked and traffic's come full stop,
And an endless sea of brake lights is screaming loud and clear:
Oh, you can't get there from here!