If My Heart Was A Car
Old 97s · Hitchhike to Rhome [1994]
They had swords, they had horses, I hear we had mighty guns
Like the ones from Navarone last night on Channel 21
It's a long way back to El Paso.
It was early Monday morning in the Central Standard Zone
You were quiet like the TV, hung up like the telephone
You were sleeping next to me, I might as well have been
alone
It's a long way back to El Paso.
CHORUS
And if my heart was a car, you would have stripped it a
long time ago.
And if my heart was a car, you would have stripped it a
long time ago.
And if my heart was a car
You would have stripped it down and sold it off
To the greasy man in the salvage lot
As it is it's just a heart
No, no, it ain't worth nothin'.
I ain't talkin' bout tomorrow, I'm talkin' 'bout tonight
You told me you were drunk already, that don't make it
right
You want at me, well, have at it, 'cause I'm in the mood to
fight
And it's a long way back to El Paso.
And if my heart was a car, you would have stripped it a
long time ago.
And if my heart was a car, you would have stripped it a
long time ago.
And if my heart was a car, you would have stripped it a
long time ago.
And if my heart was a,
And if my heart was a,
And if my heart was a car,
(Repeat Chorus)
If My Heart Was A Car
If My Heart Was A Car stands as a defining track from the Old 97s' early discography, appearing on their 1994 debut album, Hitchhike to Rhome. The song captures the band's signature blend of country-rock and alt-country, characterized by driving rhythms and introspective songwriting that would become hallmarks of their sound. Recorded during a formative period for the Austin-based group, the track showcases their ability to merge traditional instrumentation with modern sensibilities. As part of a collection that includes other notable early works like Hands Off and Stoned, this recording helped establish the band's reputation for crafting emotionally resonant narratives within a roots-oriented framework. The song remains a staple for fans exploring the group's initial output and the broader evolution of the alt-country genre in the mid-1990s.