Pull Up to the Bumper

"Pull Up to the Bumper" was the second single released by Grace Jones from her critically-acclaimed 1981 album Nightclubbing and has since come to be one of Jones' signature tunes. The song was co-written by Jones herself, Sly Dunbar, Dana Mano and Robbie Shakespeare. Upon its release, the song spent seven weeks at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, as well as becoming a Top-5 single on the U.S. R&B chart. The original 1981 release peaked at #53 on the UK Singles Chart. It was re-released as a single in 1985, then with the 1977 recording of the song "La Vie en Rose" as the B-side, and this reached #12 on the UK pop chart in early 1986. The song was also recorded for Jones' A One Man Show in 1982, and two music videos were produced: one a live version of the song; and another the studio version containing images included from the film Koyaanisqatsi. 12" versions Over the years, "Pull Up to the Bumper" has been remixed several times. The original 12-inch single featured the unedited album master recording as an extended mix of 6m45s. An extended dub version lasting 7m17s was included as the B-side on the 12-inch release of Jones' "Walking in the Rain"; this version can be found on the Universal Music compilation CD 12"/80s. The "Walking in the Rain" 7" single also had an alternate dub mix as the B-side, called "Peanut Butter" and credited to The Compass Point All Stars. A third extended 12" mix entitled "Party Version" was released on the 1981 "Feel Up" 12" single. In 1985 the track was again remixed and re-released to promote the Island Life compilation, and was released in two different 12" mixes, one an extended mix with additional keyboard overdubs and remix by Paul "Groucho" Smykle, the other an eight-minute megamix entitled "Musclemix" which included excerpts from tracks like "Warm Leatherette", "Walking In The Rain", "Use Me", "Love Is The Drug" and "Slave To The Rhythm". Many of these mixes remain unreleased on CD. Controversy The song sparked some controversy for its suggestive lyrics, as it appears to literally describe sexual intercourse. Among the racy images along the lines of this topic: "Pull up to my bumper baby / In your long black limousine / Pull up to my bumper baby / Drive it in between", as well as "Grease it / Spray it / Let me lubricate it". It is said that she is talking about anal sex with the song's lines, although interestingly, she has suggested in interviews that the song is about oral sex.

[Verse 1] Driving down those city streets I'm waiting to get down You want to ditch your big machine Somewhere in this town Now in the parking lot garage, I found the proper place Just follow all the written rules, you'll fit into the space [Chorus] Pull up to my bumper baby In your long black limousine Pull up to my bumper baby And drive it in between [Post-Chorus] Pull up to it Don't drive through it Back it up twice Now that fits nice [Verse 2] Operate around the clock So why don't you come in? Lots of space for everyone One for you my friend My lines are short, I'll fix you up So won't you please come on Shiny sleek machine you wheel I've got to blow your horn [Chorus] Pull up to my bumper baby In your long black limousine Pull up to my bumper baby And drive it in between [Bridge] Pull up to it, don't drive through it Back it, up twice, now that fits nice Grease it, spray it Let me lubricate it [Outro] Pull up to my bumper baby Pull up Pull up to my bumper baby Pull up Pull up to my bumper baby Pull up Pull up to my bumper baby Pull up