Horsepower - Post Malone

Song Facts:

• Genre: Pop/Rock


• Lyricist: Post Malone


• Composers: Post Malone and Louis Bell


• Featured in the soundtrack of the movie "Road House". Plays twice: as the first song in movie and as the last song before the ending credits

Artist Info:

Post Malone is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who has grown into popularity in a mix of hip-hop, pop, and rock. Artist entered the music industry with his hit single "White Iverson" included in the "Stoney" album. Later he released other successful albums, Certified 3x to 5x Platinum by the RIAA and singles like "Congratulations" (feat. Quavo), "Rockstar" (feat. 21 Savage), etc. Awards: American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, numerous Grammy nominations. Since this release in 2016, Post Malone has acquired over 14 tattoos on his face alone, and much more on his body making him unique and stylish.

Song Meaning:

In this film, Malone plays Carter Ford. He appears in an early scene as a fighter in an underground fighting ring. Here, Carter can be seen easily finishing his opponent, becoming a showman, and exuding confidence in his game. But as soon as the second Jake Gyllenhaal's character, Elwood Dalton enters the ring, Carter immediately backs out and is no longer willing to fight, amidst boos and jeers. "Horsepower" features prominently in the movie, playing during his character's entrance and again before the credits roll​.
The song "Horsepower" is about racing, speed, and freedom. It means that a lot of excitement is rooted deeply toward going fast. Deep grounding in a lot of excitement towards going fast comes from applying some repetition in linking words like "speed," "racing," and "horsepower."

Yeah Cold Wind Blows
And I recover

The lines seem to breathe speed, driven by the power of money, the dollar green, and in actuality reflect an idea that with financial freedom, one would actually be able to fuel one's journey at speed in life.

Hey gasoline fires
And maintains a clean one

That's where one might metaphorically think of gasoline as some kind of cleaning fluid—that ingredient without which the engine could still work fine, but possibly not ambition and drive within oneself. Could also be taken to mean satisfying his deeper desires or instincts.

In the repeating chorus and lines "Got no passion, Leave them wasted," the singer really comes across the idea of this defiant, purposeless wandering.

Overall Themes:

"Horsepower" throbs with freedom, power, and excitement being chased by speed.