Lyrical Breakdown of High Plains Drifter - A Journey through Words and Rhymes

Welcome to the detailed analysis of "High Plains Drifter" on Lazyjot. Here, we unravel the lyrical complexity and artistic brilliance that define this iconic song.

  • Lyric Overview: Witness how Beastie Boys weaves words into powerful emotions and vivid imagery. From intricate rhyme schemes to compelling storytelling, every line in "High Plains Drifter" is a testament to masterful songwriting.
  • Rhyme and Rhythm Analysis: Our Lazyjot editor highlights the ingenious use of multi-syllabic rhymes and the rhythm pattern that Beastie Boys employs. Understand the construction of each verse and how it contributes to the song's overall impact.
  • Syllable Pattern Insights: Dive deeper into the structural elements of the lyrics. See how the syllable count varies across the song, adding a unique rhythm and flow to Beastie Boys's narrative.

This lyrical analysis of "High Plains Drifter" not only celebrates Beastie Boys's artistic prowess but also serves as an educational tool for aspiring songwriters. If this analysis inspires you and you'd like to see your own songs analyzed in this way, join the Lazyjot community. Register at Lazyjot and start exploring the full potential of your lyrical creativity. Turn your thoughts into rhymes and your rhymes into songs with Lazyjot!

'Cause I'm the high plains drifter, and I'm the drifter

The high plains drifter, and I'm the drifter

They can't catch me, they're never going to find me

They're never gonna know that I'm the high plains drifter

Pulled to the river, to take a rest

Pulled out a pair of pliers, pulled a bullet out of my chest

Fear and loathing 'cross the country, listenin' to my 8-track

I reached behind the seat and snatched a Kool from the pack

I'm long-distance from my girl and I'm talking on my cellular

She said that she was sorry and I said, "Yeah, the hell you were"

Check the rear view mirror, check the gold tooth display

Check the odometer and I was on my way

'Cause I'm the high plains drifter, the best that you can get

A strapped shoplifter, a pirate on cassette

Bust a Travis Bickle when I feel that I'm getting pushed

Don't step to me 'cause you could be getting mushed

I'm doing 120, plowing over mailboxes

Radar detector to tell me where the cops is

Spend another night at the Motel 6

It's five dollars extra to get the porno flicks

And then I concoct a black and tan in my brandy snifter

I'm a kleptomaniac K-mart shoplifter

Cash flow getting low, so I had to pull a job

Found a nice place to visit but a better place to rob

I left my car outside and the engine still revvin'

Takin' care of business at 7-eleven

And then I went inside to make my withdrawal

I saw what he had had but I had to take it all

Knucklehead deli tried to gyp me off the price

So I clocked him on the turban with a bag of ice

'Cause I'm mellow like Jell-O, cool like lemonade

I made my get a way and then I thought that I had it made

I feel like Steve McQueen, a former movie star

Looked in the rear view mirror seen the police car

Ballantine quarts with the puzzle on the cap

I couldn't help to notice I was caught in a speed trap

Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, on the run from Dirty Harry

Stash the cash in the dash, but my gun I did carry

I'm seeing blue and red flashing deep in the night

I got my alibi straight and I pulled over to the right

The cop knocked on my window and said, "Boy, where's the fire?"

You got a mailbox on your bumper and a bald front tire"

"Outta the car, longhair!", your goose is cooked

Read me my rights, fingerprinted and booked

Making like a DT, driving a grand fury

Wherever I hang my hat's my home and my past is kind of blurry

Every dog will have his day, mine will be in front of a jury

High plains drifter, you know that I'm never in a hurry

Read me my rights as if I didn't know this

Threw me in the tank with a drunk called Otis

With his 5 o'clock shadow he smelled of 3 day old beer

My man turned to me and said, "Why are you here?"

I said, I'm charming, I'm dashing, I'm rental-car bashing

I'm phony-paper passing at Nix Check Cashing

I went before the judge he sent me to the Brooklyn house of D

He said, "You behave or we'll throw away the key"

Houdini'd out the cuffs, kicked the screw in the knee

I took the Bailiff's wallet and went straight to OTB

I had a good feeling, easy come, easy go

I bet on one horse to win and your mother to show

And sure enough, that nag came in

Brought my ticket to the window and collected my win

And then I broke into my new car with a wire coat hanger

Hot wired hot wheeled and, "Suzy is a headbanger"