(HINT: It is a good idea to look at any videos of the song made by the bands you are trying to interpret, they may not have total control of the music video, but they have at least some control)
I was in my 20s in the 1980s and the old video of this song matches what I interpreted the song to mean I think. At that time there was a re-emergence of Christian values and lifestyles for many young people. Virginity until marriage was one value pounded into many “good” girls and boys. This song seems to be about the tension between a young woman’s sexuality and her waiting to find her supposedly perfect partner, also the tension between what the body needs and wants and the ideals of the heart and soul.
Sister Christian
This name is sort of like “Mr. Businessman” or “General Solider Boy”
Oh the time has come
And you know that you're the only one
To say O.K.
She has graduated from a Catholic girl’s school, she is the only one to say okay to a commitment of virginity until marriage.
Where you going
What you looking for?
The song is challenging the reasons she has made this commitment
You know those boys
Don't want to play no more with you
It's true
The boys don’t want to (just) play (innocently) anymore (they expect sex) OR The boys don’t like her anymore because she seems cold and aloof.
Babe you know
You're growing up so fast
And mama's worrying
That you won't last
To say let's play
Her mother is worried about her stress and loneliness. Can she hold out until “okay let’s play”, which means “okay, now we are married, let’s have sex!”
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
Don’t give up your virginity until it is time OR don’t give up on life before it is your time to die.
Motoring
Driving around all night, alone, searching for love
What's your price for flight?
How much are you willing to pay to live this ideal? Maybe refers to getting into heaven and getting wings?
You've got him in your sight
And driving thru the night
Motoring
What's your price for flight
In finding mister right
Finally she thinks she has found “Mr. Right”, and is going after him
You'll be alright tonight
She tells herself things will all fall into place now OR the writer of the song is telling us she indeed will be happy.
(Ironically, in the video the girl ends up rejecting her commitment and jumps into a car full of boys who happen to be the band)
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