The lyrics for this song suggest European roadside sex work. That is made very clear, for instance, in the reference to Cora Pearl (see note) in the first verse, the “red light” in the second verse, and also shown in the official video the band released for this song
[Verse 1]
Well I’m headed south but kinda west
Up around the bend, I have one more breath
Standing tall in the rows of corn
Like Cora Pearl, ten in the morn'
[Chorus 1]
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga in the Languedoc
Um chagga lagga in the Languedoc
[Verse 2]
Black coal night in Wallonia sticks
Saw your red light burn for like twenty clicks
Come on man
[Chorus 2]
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
(Um chagga lagga on the side of the road)
Um chagga lagga in Wallonia sticks
(Um chagga lagga in Wallonia sticks)
[Post-Chorus 1]
But I’ll keep on driving
Don’t get mixed up in shit
You could get used to it
[Verse 3]
I lost my way in the Tramontane
‘Cause that crazy stuff got in my brain
So I walked the marsh at Bouches-du-Rhône
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
And all night long I heard you moan
Mmmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
[Chorus 3]
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Mmmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
Um chagga lagga at Bouches-du-Rhône
Mmmm-mmm-mmm-mmm
[Post-Chorus 2]
But I’ll just keep on walking
It’s starting to hit me
They’re coming to get me
[Outro]
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga at Bouches-du-Rhône
Um chagga lagga on Bouches-du-Rhône
Um chagga lagga at the gravy station
Um chagga lagga on a gravy station
Um chagga lagga in San Antone
Um chagga lagga in San Antone
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
Um chagga lagga on the side of the road
They're coming to get me
Um Chagga Lagga was written by Pixies.
Um Chagga Lagga was produced by Tom Dalgety.
Pixies released Um Chagga Lagga on Fri Sep 30 2016.