by Steve Runor & Whitney Kerting*

In the suburbs of Chicago you stay up and watch TV
As you worry 'bout the caffeine in a cup of tea
You haven't seen this movie since you were about sixteen
And you find yourself lamenting for the late James Dean.

CHORUS:
Drive toward the light, though chicken you may be
Drive toward the light, it's either you or me
In a '57 Chevy that you haven't even seen
You are dreaming of the glory of the late James Dean.

At sunrise on route 80 west you've finally found a cause
You will drive across the country breaking all the laws.
You trade in your Toyota for a Chevy in Moline
Now you're driving for the glory of the late James Dean.

CHORUS: (first 2 lines stay the same)
...In your '57 Chevy burnished to a mirror sheen
You are cruising toward the glory of the late James Dean.

At the outskirts of Las Vegas you are challenged to a duel
My a metal head in Spandex, he looks like a fool
He revs up his Camaro as the stop light shifts to green
Now you must uphold the honor of the late James Dean.

CHORUS:
...In your '57 Chevy and your boot-cut Levi jeans
You are righteous in the glory of the late James Dean.

At the second mile marker you light up a cigarette
'Cause the 40 hits of speed you took have not hit yet
You were tied around the hairpin when I came upon the scene
And I offered you a chance to be the late James Dean.

CHORUS:
...In your '57 Chevy, 40 hits of benzedrine
You are shaking with the glory of the late James Dean.

To avoid collision with two cars you steer towards the rail
In the glare of my headlights your face looks green and pale
When a spark flies off your fender and ignites the gasoline
You are burning in the memory of the late James Dean.

CHORUS:
...In your '57 Chevy, off the cliff you now careen
You are blazing in the glory of the late James Dean.

(I learned this song from hearing it sung several times. The words had a tendency to change slightly each time. If I have them wrong here, send an email, or just flog me.)