Lyrics:

Just take off your clothes and I'll drive you home I said

Knowing she never could pass on a dare

And knowing it sounded more desperate than reckless or bold

I just put it out there cold, too far gone to care



My eyes on the road, she slid herself down in the seat

And a vision of paradise swung into view

Across those five lanes not one driver glanced over to see

The beauty known only to me, and a big rig or two



On that freeway the light was receding

Her beauty, a sight so misleading

I failed to hear the heart that was beating alone

On the naked ride home



With the trace of a smile and that defiant look in her eye

She hurtled through space in a world of her own

And turning aside my caress spoke of all that she'd not yet done

As if I was the doubting one who would have to be shown



On that freeway the light was receding

Her beauty, a sight so misleading

I failed to hear the heart that was beating alone

On the naked ride home



She gathered her clothes

And ran through the yard in the dark

Up onto the porch like a flash, and inside

Then one room at a time

I watched every light in our house come on

Like the truth that would eventually dawn,

Forcing me to decide



But on that freeway the light was receding

Her beauty, a sight so misleading

I failed to hear the heart that was beating alone

On the naked ride home



Words and Music by Jackson Browne

(Swallow Turn Music, ASCAP)