The lyrics describe a lively trip to a place where people can meet, dance, flirt, and have fun. The mood grows from excited anticipation—following a roadside sign and heading out in a large car—to the noisy, crowded energy of a party. The repeated chorus makes the “love shack” sound like a welcoming destination where everyone can join in.
Several images are playful rather than realistic. The car is “as big as a whale,” an exaggeration that emphasizes its size and the fun of the journey. The shack is “set way back” in a field, suggesting a tucked-away, informal place. “The whole shack shimmies” personifies the building: it seems to shake because everyone inside is moving and dancing. “Bring your jukebox money” means bring money to pay for music.
The song’s “love” may mean romance, but the lyrics also stress group fun, dancing, and physical attraction. The repeated references to kissing, scant clothing, and people lining up give the party a flirtatious, suggestive feel without explaining exactly what happens there. “Tin roof, rusted” is an abrupt phrase whose meaning is not made clear by the surrounding lines; it may simply add a memorable, comic sound rather than provide a definite plot detail.