What Was I Thinkin’ by Dierks Bentley – Lyrics Meaning: A Breezy Dive into Reckless Abandon and Young Love
Lyrics
Her Daddy had a heart like a nine pound hammer
Think he even did a little time in the slammer
What was I thinkin’?
She snuck out one night
And met me by the front gate
Her Daddy came out wavin’ that twelve gauge
We tore out the drive, he peppered my tailgate
What was I thinkin’?
Oh, I knew there’d be hell to pay
But that crossed my mind a little too late
‘Cause I was
Thinkin ’bout a little white tank top
Sittin’ right there in the middle by me
I was thinkin’ ’bout a long kiss
Man, just gotta get goin’
Where the night might lead
I know what I was feelin’
But what was I thinkin’?
What was I thinkin’?
By the county line
The cops were nippn’ on our heels
Pulled off the road and kicked it in four wheel
Shut off the lights and tore through a corn field
What was I thinkin’?
Out the other side she was hollerin’ faster
Took a dirt road, had the radio blastin’
Hit the honky tonk for a little close dancin’
What was I thinkin’?
Oh, I knew there’d be hell to pay
But that crossed my mind a little too late
‘Cause I was
Thinkin ’bout a little white tank top
Sittin’ right there in the middle by me
I was thinkin’ ’bout a long kiss
Man, just gotta get goin’
Where the night might lead
I know what I was feelin’
But what was I thinkin’?
When a mountain of a man
With a “born to kill” tattoo
Tried to cut in I knocked out his front tooth
We ran outside hood slidin’ like Bo Duke
What was I thinkin’?
I finally got her home at a half past, too late
Her Daddy’s in a lawn chair
Sittin’ on the driveway
Put it in park as he started my way
What was I thinkin’?
Oh, what was I thinkin’?
Oh, what was I thinkin’?
Then she gave a come and get me grin
And like a bullet we were gone again
‘Cause I was
Thinkin ’bout a little white tank top
Sittin’ right there in the middle by me
I was thinkin’ ’bout a long kiss
Man, just gotta get goin’
Where the night might lead
I know what I was feelin’
Yeah, I know what I was feelin’
But what was I thinkin’?
What was I thinkin’?
I know what I was feelin’
But what was I thinkin’?
Guess I was thinking ’bout that tank top
Those cutoffs
Dierks Bentley’s raucous anthem ‘What Was I Thinkin” serves as a thrilling narrative that catches the essence of youthful impulsiveness and the magnetic pull of raw attraction. Bentley, with his keen narrative prowess, paints a vivid picture of a reckless dive into a flirtatious summer romance, leading us through a tale sparking with rebellion, chaos, and the irresistible thrill of the unknown.
The song’s vivid storytelling and catchy country-rock blend managed to carve a place in the hearts of country music lovers, as it evokes a sense of nostalgia for those carefree days where consequences were an afterthought. Through the analysis of lyrics, let’s unravel the story’s rich tapestry, examining the hidden depths and the impulses that steer the wheels of a wild night under the stars.
Uncaging the Beast of Youth: The Rush of Taking Risks
Through the tale of a clandestine meetup and a hell-for-leather escape from an irate father, ‘What Was I Thinkin” encapsulates the heady mix of danger and excitement that defines the recklessness of youth. The adrenaline-infused escapade is more than just a jaunt; it symbolizes a larger-than-life craving for living in the moment, often intrinsic to the spirit of young love and passion where caution is thrown to the howling winds of desire.
Bentley’s protagonist is aware of the potential fallout from his actions, yet this foreboding notion is shoved aside by the breathtaking anticipation of what might lay ahead. The tale becomes a timeless illustration of how the thrum of romance and the lure of adrenaline can urge someone to leap before they look.
The Elixir of Romance: A Headstrong Dive into Infatuation’s Sea
With lyrics that stir the soul, the song’s chorus is a potent reminder of how sensory memories, like the ‘little white tank top’ and the prospect of a ‘long kiss,’ can fuel the fire of infatuation. Bentley encapsulates the quintessential feeling of being utterly consumed by the presence of someone who has ensnared your affections, detailing how with love’s rose-colored glasses, the world shrinks to the size of two hearts beating in tandem.
The chorus resonates as a confession of sensory intoxication, where the physical allure overtakes the rational mind. It is a testament to the poignant moments when one is entirely aware of what they feel, even if they can’t quite comprehend what they are thinking or why they are so willing to throw caution to the wind.
A Delicate Dance of Danger: The Hidden Meaning Behind the Recklessness
Bentley’s story is not just one of enamored folly—it is laced with the strained strings of breaking away from authority and societal norms. Each brush with peril, from evading law enforcement to unhinging a scorned suitor, reflects the song’s underlying rebellion against the mundane and the expected.
At its core, ‘What Was I Thinkin” harbors a deeper nexus of meaning. It’s a nod to the American dream of freedom, an ode to the frontier spirit that still whispers through the canyons of contemporary life. The willingness to confront the very thing you should, rightfully, fear is imbued with the boldness that gives life its savory spice.
Kicking up Dust and Cutting Loose: Memorable Lines and their Legacy
‘We ran outside hood slidin’ like Bo Duke,’ Bentley sings, invoking the iconic image from ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ a perfect metaphor for the carefree, daredevil spirit encapsulated within the song. This specific line not only citations nostalgia but also acts as a cultural compass, pinpointing the song within a landscape ripe with Americana.
Lines like ‘When a mountain of a man, with a
