McMahon announced the moniker in a blog post in July 2014, stating, "as I embark on yet another musical adventure, I will be traveling with my band to many of those same stages, this time as “Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness”. I suppose my wilderness is mostly an abstract one. Since putting Jack’s behind me, I have forced myself into strange spaces seeking new stimulus..."
The first song recorded under the moniker, 'Cecilia and the Satellite', received official radio play on the 17th July 2014. An album is expected to follow.
Driving Through a Dream
Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the way your hair falls down
We could watch the trains from the tightrope
Chase the dark
Out here on a desert fault line
That's the way the world goes 'round
I'm losing track of time inside this racing heart
Staring out the window with your, with your head on my shoulder
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Riding through the heart of the dark that you fought like a soldier
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Clinging to your late-night courage
Anything to pass the time
Lying in the back seat trying not to fall apart
Waiting for your life to start
Staring out the window with your, with your head on my shoulder
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Riding through the heart of the dark that you fought like a soldier
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
And the night is long, the road is longer,
You say, you sleep better when I'm awake
I'll stay awake for you
Staring out the window with your, with your head on my shoulder
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Riding through the heart of the dark that you fought like a soldier
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
Try to get some sleep, we'll be driving through a dream
The song "Driving Through A Dream" by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness is a song about traveling through the desert with a loved one, trying to find meaning in life, and holding onto hope. The opening lyrics describe the straight line of the freeway and the way that the person's hair falls down. There is a sense of calm and beauty in this picture, as though the world is perfect in that moment.
As the song progresses, the sense of urgency and uncertainty increases. The person in the song is losing track of time and feels their heart racing. They are trying to hold onto their dream of a better life, but it is slipping away from them. They cling to their late-night courage and try to pass the time. They feel as though they are waiting for their life to start.
The chorus repeats the message of hope, as though the two people in the car are trying to create their own reality by driving through a dream. They are riding through the heart of the dark and trying to hold onto the belief that they can make things better. They repeat this message to each other, like a mantra, in the hopes that they will find the strength to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
Straighter than the flat line freeway
Your hair falls straight down like the freeway, unaffected by the wind.
That’s the way your hair falls down
Your hair is falling in a straight direction.
We could watch the trains from the tightrope
We can see the train from our makeshift vantage point on the tightrope.
Chase the dark
Chase the excitement even when things are seemingly dark.
Out here on a desert fault line
As we travel through the desert, we might face some faults in the road.
That’s the way the world goes ‘round
The world is unpredictable and always changing although it feels like we're traversing round and round in circles.
I’m losing track of time inside this racing heart
My heart is beating fast and I'm unaware of time passing by.
Your racing heart
Your heart is pounding with excitement.
Staring out the window with your, with your head on my shoulder
You're looking out of the window and resting your head on my shoulder.
Try to get some sleep, we’ll be driving through a dream
We'll continue our journey and take rest when the time is right.
Riding through the heart of the dark that you fought like a soldier
We're exploring the darkness that you faced bravely like a soldier.
Clinging to your late-night courage
Holding onto the courage that you found in the middle of the night.
Anything to pass the time
We'll do whatever we can to make the journey go by faster.
Lying in the back seat trying not to fall apart
Lying down in the back seat and trying to keep yourself together.
Waiting for your life to start
You're eagerly waiting for your life to begin, like a new chapter in your story.
And the night is long, the road is longer,
The night feels like it's never-ending, and our journey seems even longer.
You say, you sleep better when I’m awake
You feel more comfortable and safe when I'm awake, watching over you.
I’ll stay awake for you
I'll stay awake and watch over you to make sure you feel safe and secure.
Try to get some sleep, we’ll be driving through a dream
We'll continue our journey, and let you rest when the time is right.
Try to get some sleep, we’ll be driving through a dream
We'll continue our journey, and let you rest when the time is right.
Try to get some sleep, we’ll be driving through a dream
We'll continue our journey, and let you rest when the time is right.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: Andrew McMahon, Mike Viola
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leon1231435
heard this song playing in a red lobster restaurant one day...Rushed home to find it on you tube... definitely a cruising song. reminds me of Bruce Hornsby or Don Henley...Beautiful compilation and the bridge is perfect... i'm a fan now!!
@Chesapeakej4
I see some folks hating on his previous work, but I grew up listening to SOCO, and Jacks since I was in HS. Now I'm 30 and feeling right on track with his new musical adventure. His progression is amazing and his career has been on point at every stage. He made the music suited to his age and his place in life and all of his work is totally gold. As someone else said, I wish I could discover him all over again, bc he's been there for many many years for many people. You rock Andrew!
@eyei5all1
Long live andrew mcmahon. the leukemia couldnt touch your musical perfection. Youve reared my emotional capacity since i was 14. (now 29)
@billhuang2920
The image fits the song perfectly. A perfect song to listen to while walking through a cool drizzle.
@garrslayer
My grocery store I work at plays this song all the god damn time
@wjmcd703
Me too, that and "Island Radio", and now I can't get enough of either song
@garrslayer
I didn't know what that song was until I just looked it up and realized they do play this song also lmao.
@wjmcd703
The first time I heard this song, I had no idea who he was, in fact for some reason I thought a woman was singing this song, I dont know why.
@Ms.aquarius1
me to
@garthugandan470
Glad it ain't only mine