Sister Christian there’s so much in life/
Don’t you give it up before your time is due.

“Sister Christen” by Night Ranger is a 1980s power-ballad that almost defines the genre. Night Ranger had the big hair, blazing guitar solos combined with the tender piano intro. Add in the iconic drum crescendo leading into the catchy chorus and you have an all-time great song.

Upon first listen, it is not clear what, exactly Sister Christian is about. Is it about a nun? No, it is about the narrators’ literal little sister. She is growing up fast and that can be disconcerting to older family members. He notices that her old playmates are interested in her for another reason now—for her sex appeal.

Sister Christian is living up her teenage years and exploring. Dating. She’s ‘motoring’. It is not necessarily that she is moving too fast, it seems fast for her older brother and her mother who are concerned about her safety and advise caution. She has a lot of life in front of her. (And wasn’t she just in diapers yesterday?) Typical elderly advice that will probably be ignored.

Sister Christian probably interprets the brother and mother’s advice as unwanted or dated; but it seems to be coming from a good place. Where you are in life might have a big impact on whether you view these lyrics as wise or unwarranted.

Sister Christian Lyrics

Sister Christian
Oh the time has come
And you know that you’re the only one
To say okay
Where you going
What you looking for
You know those boys
Don’t want to play no more with you
It’s true

You’re motoring
What’s your price for flight
In finding mister right
You’ll be alright tonight

Babe, you know
You’re growing up so fast
And mama’s worrying
That you won’t last
To say let’s play
Sister Christian
There’s so much in life
Don’t you give it up
Before your time is due
It’s true
It’s true yeah

Motoring
What’s your price for flight
You’ve got him in your sight
And driving through the night

Motoring
What’s your price for flight
In finding mister right
You’ll be alright tonight

Motoring
What’s your price for flight
In finding mister right
You’ll be alright tonight

Motoring
What’s your price for flight
In finding mister right
You’ll be alright tonight

Sister Christian
Oh the time has come
And you know that you’re the only one
To say okay
But you’re motoring
Yeah motoring

Songwriters: Kelly Keagy