Sleepdriving
Grand Archives Lyrics
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It buried us all in a fog
You remembered it all
I'm sleepdriving away
Metal and mold, bourbon and clove
Mirrors and smoke, yesterday's clothes
I'm sleepdriving away
As through your window, I stare out
Someday we'll be too old
Cold winter air put an ache in your jaw
You're only as old as you say that we are
I'm sleepdriving away
The trunk of the car filled with all that we own
This old Pontiac's starting to feel like a boat
I'm sleepdriving away
As through your window I stare out
Someday we'll be too old
It's nearly dawn, in a motel home
The shades were drawn to hide the storm
Without a sound, the TV glows
The blankets tied around our throats
Swirling round, the light above
Outside the crows were waking up
It's nearly dawn
In a Motel home was nearly gone
No sleep at all
Outside, those crows
In lines, on those
Frozen roads and wires, sleepdriving away
The Grand Archives's song Sleepdriving tells the story of two individuals who are in the midst of a journey, perhaps escaping from their past or seeking a new start. The song begins with a beautiful imagery of "Snow fell thick and small, it buried us all in a fog". This is symbolic of how their past may have been clouding their present, but they are determined to move forward. The singer is sleepdriving away from their problems and maybe towards a better future. However, there is a sense of melancholy that is present as the line "someday we'll be too old" suggests that they may be running out of time to make significant changes in life.
The second verse uses sensory images to convey a sense of the singer's surroundings. The use of "Metal and mold, bourbon and clove, mirrors and smoke, yesterday's clothes" is a vivid description of their dingy and less than luxurious lodgings. However, they seem content with their situation and continue on with their journey. The line "Cold winter air put an ache in your jaw, you're only as old as you say that we are" is a reminder that age is just a number and one can be as youthful and passionate as they choose to be.
The final verse is the most poignant as it describes the couple finding refuge in a motel, perhaps desperately clutching onto each other as they realize the uncertainty of their future. The line "the blankets tied around our throats" is possibly the most emotional as it suggests that they are clinging onto each other with everything they've got. Yet, there is a sense of resilience as they try to sleepdrive away from their problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Snow fell thick and small
The weather was snowy and visibility was low.
It buried us all in a fog
The snowfall created a fog which made it difficult to see clearly.
You remembered it all
One of the people present was able to recall the snowy day vividly.
I'm sleepdriving away
The person is driving while being drowsy or asleep.
Metal and mold, bourbon and clove
The person is distracted by their surroundings which include things like metal, mold, bourbon, and clove.
Mirrors and smoke, yesterday's clothes
The surroundings are further described as having mirrors and smoke with someone wearing clothes from the previous day.
As through your window, I stare out
The person is looking out a window.
Someday we'll be too old
The person is reflecting on the fact that they won't be young forever.
Cold winter air put an ache in your jaw
The cold air is causing someone pain in their jaw.
You're only as old as you say that we are
Your age is determined by how old you feel or what you choose to label yourself as.
The trunk of the car filled with all that we own
All of the possessions of the people present are in the trunk of the car.
This old Pontiac's starting to feel like a boat
The car is being compared to a boat, perhaps because of how full it is or how it feels while driving.
It's nearly dawn, in a motel home
The people present are in a motel room and it is almost morning.
The shades were drawn to hide the storm
The curtains are closed to keep out the view of the storm outside.
Without a sound, the TV glows
The television is on but there is no noise coming from it.
The blankets tied around our throats
The blankets are pulled up high around the necks of the people present.
Swirling round, the light above
The light fixture is spinning or tilting.
Outside the crows were waking up
The birds outside are starting to become active because it is nearly morning.
In a Motel home was nearly gone
The night is almost over, soon it will be morning and the people will leave the motel.
No sleep at all
The people present did not sleep during the night or did not sleep well.
Outside, those crows
The people are still aware of the crows outside.
In lines, on those
The crows are in formation, either flying or perched on wires.
Frozen roads and wires, sleepdriving away
The roads and wires outside are icy and the person is still driving even though they are tired.
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.