Meaning of "8 Miles A Gallon" by Scott Miller

The underlying meaning of "8 Miles A Gallon" revolves around the conflicting emotions and moral dilemmas associated with consumption and war. The protagonist, represented by the powerful Ford 460 engine, embodies a sense of pride in its strength but also acknowledges the negative impact it has on fuel consumption. However, this guilt is mitigated by the belief in core values like democracy, gasoline, and rock n' roll. These values represent the pursuit of freedom, the need for energy resources, and the expression of personal freedom and rebellion through music. The protagonist sees these values as worthy causes, justifying the excessive fuel consumption.

The lyrics also touch on the topic of war and the songwriter's support for soldiers. The line "To you boys all deployed if it's me your fightin' for / I need: Democracy, Gasoline and world wide rock n'roll" suggests that the songwriter understands the sacrifices made by soldiers and hopes that they can make it through the battle. It is important to note that the song was released in 2008, during a time when the United States was involved in conflicts in the Middle East. The mention of praying every day for the soldiers also indicates a sense of empathy and concern for their wellbeing.

The later verses introduce the idea of finding alternative fuel sources, particularly one that runs on "bullshit." This humorous twist plays with the notion that finding a way to make an engine run on unconventional resources would be beneficial and sustainable. There is a hint of frustration and criticism towards political figures and their potential job-creation initiatives, symbolized by the mention of shovels being bought by people like the House of Saud. The final line, "Rollin' down the road on 8 miles per gallon," suggests that despite the conflicts and moral dilemmas, the protagonist is content with his own lifestyle in the Shenandoah Valley, seemingly unaffected by the consequences of consuming gasoline at a high rate.