Meaning of Radar Love by Golden Earring & The Story Behind

The Dutch rock band Golden Earring has released more than thirty albums for half a century of creative activity. In the homeland of the band, his songs topped the rock charts more than forty times. But only a couple of songs became international hits. One of them is the famous Radar Love from Moontan (1973), which became Golden Earring’s most successful record.

The story of creation and meaning

The song “Radar Love” was written by the band’s vocalist Barry Hay and guitarist George Kooijmans. They say that first came the name, on the basis of which they composed the text.

This is a story told in the first person about a guy who does not get up from behind the wheel of a car for many hours in a row in order to come to his beloved as soon as possible. And since the era of public cellular communication has not yet arrived, the main character can only tune in his thoughts and heart to the wave of love and thus maintain contact with his girlfriend.

Release and achievements

The members of Golden Earring did not count on the success of Radar Love and considered it simply as one of the tracks of the Moontan album, but the public had a different opinion. The song, released as a single, entered the top 10 charts in many countries. In the US, it has risen to number thirteen.

Since then, Radar Love has consistently been in the top ten of any ranking of the best rock songs to listen to while driving, and it tops many such lists.

Let’s watch the video clip of Radar Love – Golden Earring.

Performers

An incredible number of Radar Love covers are known. The site dedicated to composition radar-love.net claims that there are more than five hundred of them. Among those who performed the song were U2, REM, Bryan Adams, Carlos Santana, Def Leppard and others.

Let’s hear how White Lion played Radar Love.

Interesting Facts

Bono from U2 has repeatedly said that this is his favorite song.
From different editions of the Radar Love single, the songs on the back were Just Like Vince Taylor, The Song Is Over, Buddy Joe and Back Home.

Lyrics of Radar Love by Golden Earring

I’ve been drivin’ all night, my hand’s wet on the wheel
There’s a voice in my head that drives my heel
It’s my baby callin’, says I need you here
And it’s a half past four and I’m shiftin’ gear

When she is lonely and the longing gets too much
She sends a cable comin’ in from above
Don’t need no phone at all
We’ve got a thing that’s called radar love
We’ve got a wave in the air, radar love

The radio is playing some forgotten song
Brenda Lee’s comin’ on strong
The road has got me hypnotized
And I’m speedin’ into a new sunrise

When I get lonely and I’m sure I’ve had enough
She sends her comfort comin’ in from above
We don’t need no letter at all
We’ve got a thing that’s called radar love
We’ve got a light in the sky, radar love

No more speed, I’m almost there
Gotta keep cool now, gotta take care
Last car to pass, here I go
And the line of cars drove down real slow
And the radio played that forgotten song
Brenda Lee’s comin’ on strong
And the newsman sang his same song
Oh one more radar lover gone