About the song
Background
- Car or Woman? The main inspiration is debated. David Lee Roth claims the song is about a car he saw race, nicknamed “Panama Express”. Other sources suggest it’s about a stripper named Panama. Either way, the car serves as a metaphor for a hot, powerful, desirable woman.
- Pure Rock Energy: Musically, it embodies Van Halen’s signature sound: pounding drums, a driving riff, Eddie Van Halen’s explosive solo, and Roth’s high-energy vocals.
- Revved Up Engine: The song famously features Eddie revving the engine of his Lamborghini Miura in the studio, adding to its raw, visceral feel.
Lyrics
The lyrics are full of classic rock innuendo and swagger:
- Car as Woman: “Reach down between my legs and ease the seat back” blurs the lines between automobiles and feminine seduction.
- Speed and Power: Lines like “I can barely see the road from the heat comin’ off it” emphasize thrill and danger.
- Party Anthem: The chorus, “Panama! Panama!” is simple, memorable, and perfectly designed to be chanted in an arena.
Themes
- Lust and Desire: On the surface, the song is about desire for something fast, sexy, and a little bit dangerous.
- Hedonism: The song celebrates living in the moment, chasing thrills, and indulging in pure sensory experience.
- Rockstar Lifestyle: While the main theme might be about cars or women, it taps into the larger-than-life energy of the rock-and-roll lifestyle.
Legacy
“Panama” remains a rock anthem decades after its release. It’s a staple at sporting events, parties, and any place where people want to let loose. While not lyrically complex, its raw energy and memorable singalong chorus make it an enduring classic.
Video
Lyrics
Jump back, what’s that sound?
Here she comes, full blast and top down
Hot shoe, burnin’ down the avenue
Model citizen, zero discipline
Don’t you know she’s coming home with me
You’ll lose her in the turn
I’ll get her
Panama, Panama
Panama, Panama
Ain’t nothin’ like it, her shiny machine
Got the feel for the wheel, keep the moving parts clean
Hot shoe, burnin’ down the avenue
Got an on ramp comin’ through my bedroom
Don’t you know she’s coming home with me
You’ll lose her in the turn
I’ll get her
Panama, Panama
Panama, Panama
Yeah, we’re runnin’ a little bit hot tonight
I can barely see the road from the heat comin’ off of it
Ah, you reach down, between my legs and ease the seat back
She’s blinding, I’m flying
Right behind the rear view mirror now
Got the feeling, power steering
Pistons popping, ain’t no stopping now
Panama, Panama
Panama, Panama
Panama, Panama
Panama