Driving Me Backwards
Brian Eno/John Cale/Kevin Ayers/Mike Oldfield/Nico And The Soporifics/Robert Wyatt Lyrics

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
This is an opening vocalization with no particular meaning.

Doo doo doo doo doo doo dah
This is another vocalization with no particular meaning.

I'll be there.
This line serves as an introduction and assurance that the singer will be there for the listener.

Oh driving me backwards
This line refers to the feeling of being forced to go backwards or move away from progress.

Kids like me
The artist identifies themselves as a kid or young person.

Gotta be crazy
The singer asserts that they must be crazy to be in their current situation.

Moving me forwards
Despite feeling like they are moving backwards, the singer acknowledges that they are being pushed forward against their will.

You must think that I'm lazy
The artist acknowledges that others may perceive them as lazy for not moving forward more quickly.

Meet my relations
The artist introduces their family or people they are associated with in some way.

All of them
This line emphasizes that all of the artist's relations are present or involved in some way.

Grinning like facepacks
The singer describes their relations as grinning excessively, like they have a mask or pack on their faces.

Such sweet inspirations
Despite the odd behavior of those around them, the artist seems to find some inspiration or positivity in the situation.

Curl me up
This line describes the singer curling up, or collapsing into themselves.

A flag in an icecap
This metaphorical phrase could refer to the singer feeling stuck or frozen in a difficult situation, like a flag frozen in an ice cap.

Now I've found a sweetheart
The singer has found a romantic partner.

Treats me good just like an armchair
The artist's romantic partner is described as treating them well and being comfortable, like an armchair.

I try to think about nothing
The artist is attempting to clear their mind or not think about their current situation.

Difficult
This line could refer to the difficulty of maintaining that state of mind and not dwelling on the negative aspects of their situation.

I'm most temperamental
The singer acknowledges their tendency towards strong emotions or changing moods.

I gave up my good living
The artist has let go of their previous comfortable or stable living situation.

Typical
This line could suggest that the artist's decision to give up their good living situation is not unheard of or surprising.

I'm almost sentimental
Despite giving up their good living situation, the artist appears to have some sentimental attachment to it.

Ah luana's black reptiles
This phrase is unclear on its own, but could refer to a person or group of people associated with the singer in some way.

Sliding around
This line paints a picture of Luana's black reptiles moving in a slippery or slithering manner.

Make chemical choices
The actions of Luana's black reptiles are described as making choices based on chemicals or instincts, rather than logic or reasoning.

And she responds as expected
Despite not being direct, the actions of Luana's black reptiles trigger predictable responses from the singer or those around them.

To the only sound
This line implies that there is only one thing that can trigger the expected response from the singer, in this case the black reptiles.

Hysterical voices
This line could refer to excited or panicked voices, likely related to the artist's situation or the behaviors of those around them.

And you, you're driving me backwards
The artist accuses someone or something of pushing them backwards or against their will.

Kids like me have gotta be crazy I, I, I, I, I, I, I
This line repeats an earlier assertion that kids like the singer must be crazy to be in their current situation.

Doo doo doo dodoo dodah I'll be there
This line is a repetition of the earlier refrain, asserting that the singer will be there for the listener.