Put it in Neutral
By: Beck Hansen

Written by: Beck Hansen

Versions:
  1. Put it in Neutral (2:30)
    Available on A Hot Wild Drive In The City.
    Credits
    Rusty Cusick: Engineer
    Gus Hudson: Producer
 
Lyrics:
Put it in Neutral [Version (a)]:

Gun in mouth and headin' south
I got a good deal on a pickup truck
Kill the lice and throw the dice
Roll thirteen and I'm out of luck
Put it in neutral, put it in neutral
I'm gonna let it roll away
Put it in neutral, put it in neutral
I'm gonna let it roll away

Test-tube babies, I got rabies
My mother gave birth in a diesel haze
Dead machine
Unleaded thing
Put it in neutral, put it in neutral
I'm gonna let it roll away
Put it in neutral, put it in neutral
I'm gonna let it roll away

I got no license, I got no conscious
Demolition derby for today
Drowning spiders, unlit fires
I'm all revved up on the interchange
Put it in neutral, put it in neutral
I'm gonna let it roll away
Put it in neutral, put it in neutral
I'm gonna let it roll away
 
The Song:

"Put It In Neutral" is a fairly obscure old song Beck gave to Gus Hudson, who included it on a small collection of songs he called A Hot Wild Drive in the City (all the songs are about cars). Beck knew Hudson well: some Hudson-produced tracks are also included on Stereopathetic Soulmanure. Beck also appears on another song on the album, singing back-up on his friend Steve's song "American Car." The album was initially released back in 1992 or 1993, but was re-released in 2000.

Beck seems to pilfered from "Put It In Neutral" over the years, which probably indicates how long ago it was written. "Loser" of course has the line "Kill the headlights and put it in neutral." "Loser" was recorded in 1992, and my guess is this came from before that. Beck's voice sounds young, and so do the lyrics.

Beck also used images of test-tubes and diesels much later in "Novacane" on Odelay. Demolition derbies go back to his old Banjo Story song, "Detonate."

This just goes to show the extent Beck sticks with images; or maybe how images stick with him. I've always enjoyed this song, as a youthful piece of energy. Beck has a handful of songs from back then that build on this weary punk folk vibe, like "Asskizz Powergrudge" and the like.