Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "Cadillac Man" by
Johnny Hallyday tell the story of a man who has traveled his whole life on uncertain and tough roads. He has no suitcases, no children, no wife. He is free from any obligations. In his old car, which is in bad condition, he has memories of past loves that died in one night.
He remembers a past love in Texas and how they no longer love each other in California. As the road passes from town to town, he no longer knows exactly what he was looking for. He sees his whole past life flash before his eyes.
He feels like a ghost driving along the streets. He looks like all the people he has known. He is all the girls, men, poor children. He is nothing more than a ghost. He is a liar, a lover, a loser, a child, a cowboy, a sailor, a prisoner, a gypsy, a madman, a poet, a whore, a mother. He is nothing more than a ghost.
In his old worn-out car, he has burned thousands of cigarettes. He thinks of all the dreams, laughter, and friends that are now gone. He feels like a cloud, at least wants to keep your image. He met you in Phoenix and lost you in Vegas. As the road passes from town to town.
In his headlights, he has seen so many people pass by. He has known so many people that he confuses the girls from the hotels with the strange guys. He thinks of all the demons and angels and all his mistakes. He is nothing more than a ghost.
All night long, he counted the paths traveled and the lost time. He no longer knew who he was, where he was, when morning came and the engine died. He got out to see his broken Cadillac and it made him laugh. That poor, worn-out thing that looked like his past.
He feels like a ghost driving along the streets. He looks like all the people he has known. He is all the girls, men, poor children. He is nothing more than a ghost. He is a liar, a lover, a loser, a child, a cowboy, a sailor, a prisoner, a gypsy, a madman, a poet, a whore, a mother. He is nothing more than a ghost. He is nothing more than a ghost.