In 2003, after several years singing with various bands, he went on Fame Academy to try and get a solo record deal. He came second, got a recording contract and had two top 20 hits. His debut album charted but got no promotion and he was mostly ignored by the media. He parted company with Universal and his management in 2004 and carried on independently, setting up his own gigs and recording and playing his own material in his own way.
He has written hit singles for other people - Hungry for Love for Di-rect and Angel by my Side for Do. He toured Germany and has co-written songs with Robin Gibb. He has also co-written and recorded songs with members of Ultra, Oasis legends Tony and Chris Griffiths of The Real People and Paul Banks of Shed Seven.
You only get a small flavour of what he is like from his first album which includes some very catchy upbeat songs as well as some very romantic love songs which Alistair himself has described as "a bit slushy".
His second "mini-album" was recorded live during his tour with Robin Gibb and consists of acoustic versions of four of his own songs and a George Michael cover. CDs of his new original material are hard to find and are only available at gigs or through his website. "finding Boethius" (3 tracks) was released in December 2006 and "Alistair Griffin" (4 tracks)in May 2008. He is currently working on his next album.
Previews of his current songs can be heard on his Official Myspace http://www.myspace.com/alistairgriffinonline
Just Drive
Alistair Griffin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will it take me to the end well I don't know
But for one last time
I'll take this ride
And just drive
I wanna be the only one to make it to the light
Take it to the edge where I have died a thousand times
To ride into the setting sun tonight
And just drive
Breathing out I breathe it in
Broken down but I will live to fight again
For one last time
I'll take this ride
And just drive
I wanna be the only one to make it to the light
Take it to the edge where I have died a thousand times
And maybe I could be the one
To ride into the setting sun tonight
Just drive
There is a star that lights the road
Will it take me to the end well I don't know
I wanna be the only one to make it to the light
Take it to the edge where I have died a thousand times
And maybe I could be the one
To ride into the setting sun tonight
Just drive
The song "Just Drive" by Alistair Griffin is an encouragement to live in the moment, take a chance and embark on a journey, no matter where it may lead. The first verse says that there is a star that is lighting the road, and although it's uncertain where it may lead, the singer decides to take this ride one last time and just drive. The second verse talks about breathing out and breathing in, being broken down but deciding to fight again.
The chorus is the highlight of the song, where the singer wants to be the only one who makes it to the light (perhaps representing success or happiness), take it to the edge where he has died a thousand times (meaning where he has failed many times before), and maybe, just maybe, he could be the one to ride into the setting sun tonight. The setting sun could mean either the end of the journey, or a new beginning, depending on how it is interpreted. The final verse repeats the first verse, adding that the singer still doesn't know whether the star will take him to the end, but he decides to drive anyway.
The song is all about taking that chance, following one's dreams, living life to the fullest, and not giving up no matter how difficult the journey may be. The star is a metaphor for hope, and the setting sun represents the end of the day, and possibly the end of one's life. The song urges the listener to not waste time and to go for what they truly want.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a star that lights the road
There's a guiding light that shows the way forward
Will it take me to the end well I don't know
But it's unsure if that light will lead to the ultimate goal
But for one last time
One final attempt
I'll take this ride
Going on this journey
And just drive
Without a clear direction, just moving forward
I wanna be the only one to make it to the light
Desire to succeed alone
Take it to the edge where I have died a thousand times
Pushing oneself to the limit where failure has occurred before
And maybe I could be the one
Hope to be the successful one
To ride into the setting sun tonight
To finish the journey by sunset
Breathing out I breathe it in
Taking a deep breath to calm oneself
Broken down but I will live to fight again
Feeling defeated but still determined to carry on
There is a star that lights the road
A reminder of the guiding light
I wanna be the only one to make it to the light
Repeating the desire to succeed alone
Take it to the edge where I have died a thousand times
Reiterating pushing oneself to the limit
And maybe I could be the one
Repeating the hope of being the successful one
To ride into the setting sun tonight
Repeating the desire to finish the journey by sunset
Just drive
Repeatedly emphasizing the idea to keep moving forward without direction
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
is2000
This brings so much memories from 2010-2012 and from those years in F1.
When I hear this, I think about Formula One.
Russell Coight
Such a good era of the sport.
is2000
Indeed. So many childhood memories. F1 was bigger than anything else.
scrub vision
2012 season was a blessing
Andra Arya
Same, I love the days of formula 1 since 2012
Imad Salem
Bbc sport f1
margaret small allan
Last Friday, I had this song playing during my husband's coffin arriving at the crematorium, as he loved it, and Formula 1. He was addicted to anything involving cars. It is such a beautiful song conveying such emotion. Thankyou Alistair Griffin....................................old Tich.
Alistair Griffin
Margaret, I’m sorry for your loss. I’m really touched by your message and that your husband enjoyed the song and loved F1. Take care x
Boston Taylor
My father killed himself and this was the song at his funeral also. He was obsessed with formula one and he always said this was the song he wanted. I listen to it from time to time and remember
Karl White
So sorry for your loss. My loved ones know I want this at my funeral too. Very similar reasons. ❤