On February 11th, 2021, Conan uploaded an unknown countdown to his website, and a link to pre-save unknown music. The next day, he released a teaser on his social media accounts for a new song coming the next week.
The song’s name was revealed in another teaser two days before its release.
Lyrically, the song is about living in the moment, and experiencing love without any worries about what will happen next.
"I wrote “Overdrive” to escape reality. I’ve spent the entire past year moping around alone in my house. I wanted to make something to get me to dance, something to belt in the shower. Every time I’d turn it on to tweak the production or change the lyrics, I’d end up singing along and forgetting why I was so stressed. That’s exactly what I hope this song is for people who listen: a moment of reckless abandon and catharsis in a world filled with inhibition." - via Apple Music
Overdrive
Conan Gray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said I'm not catchin' feelings
Oh, I guess I lied
Divin' off of the deep end
I can't think of a reason
We should take our time
Ooh
Let's just trust the night
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Burnin' down the street, no left, right, left, right
I don't wanna see no red light, red light
Fast lane on the beat go ten, five, ten, five
You right next to me, feel the heat
Goin' overdrive
Goin' overdrive, yeah
Yeah, I know you're a stranger
But I'm likin' the danger
Of the "I don't know"
Don't give a fuck about labels
Throw the dice on the table
And just let 'em roll
Ooh
All or nothin'
Let's just trust the night
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Burnin' down the street, no left, right, left, right
I don't wanna see no red light, red light
Fast lane on the beat go ten, five, ten, five
You right next to me, feel the heat
Goin' overdrive
Goin' overdrive, yeah
All or nothin'
Let's just trust the night, night
All or nothin'
You're my ride or die
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Burnin' down the street, no left, right, left, right
I don't wanna see no red light, red light
Fast lane on the beat go ten five, ten five
You right next to me, feel the heat
Goin' overdrive (oh-oh-oh)
Goin' overdrive, yeah
Goin' overdrive
Goin' overdrive, yeah
"Overdrive" by Conan Gray is about taking a chance on love and diving into a relationship despite the risks. The song is sung from the perspective of the singer who initially didn't want to catch feelings but ended up lying to themselves. They realize that they want to give their relationship a go and go all-in, taking the plunge without reservation. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes this feeling of going all in and trusting the night, regardless of any other considerations. The bouncy and upbeat nature of the instrumentation reinforces this sentiment, with the chorus emphasized with a catchy rhythm that drives the song forward.
The feeling of urgency and spontaneity is heavily present in the lyrics, with the singer referencing how they're "burnin' down the street" and sees no need for caution on their journey. The sense of excitement and the "danger" of the unknown is present in the second verse as well, with the singer stating that they don't care about labels and that they're willing to take a risk by throwing the dice on the table.
Overall, "Overdrive" is a song about taking a chance on love and living in the moment, disregarding any reservations or worries about the future. The upbeat nature of both the lyrics and instrumentation create an energetic and exhilarating listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Only met on the weekend
We have only known each other for a short time and only meet on weekends.
Said I'm not catchin' feelings
I initially stated that I am not developing emotions for you.
Oh, I guess I lied
However, it seems that I was not being truthful with myself.
Divin' off of the deep end
I am taking a major risk and doing something reckless.
I can't think of a reason
Despite the dangers, I cannot come up with any reason not to pursue this.
We should take our time
We should slow down and be cautious in our actions.
All or nothin'
I am willing to take a huge risk and either win everything or lose everything.
Let's just trust the night
We should trust our instincts and take a chance on the unknown outcome.
Burnin' down the street, no left, right, left, right
We are moving at a fast pace and ignoring any obstacles or directions.
I don't wanna see no red light, red light
I want to keep going without any hesitation or interruption.
Fast lane on the beat go ten, five, ten, five
We are moving quickly and intensely, and the music reflects it.
You right next to me, feel the heat
We are close together and the excitement and tension is palpable.
Goin' overdrive
We are pushing ourselves to the limit in terms of speed and intensity.
Yeah, I know you're a stranger
I am aware that I barely know you and this is a risky move.
But I'm likin' the danger
Despite the risks, there is something thrilling and enticing about this situation.
Of the "I don't know"
I am drawn to the idea of the unknown outcome and the excitement it brings.
Don't give a fuck about labels
I am dismissing societal expectations or labels and following my own path.
Throw the dice on the table
I am taking a risk and putting everything on the line.
And just let 'em roll
I am letting fate or chance decide the outcome and not worrying about the consequences.
You're my ride or die
I am heavily relying on you to support me and take the same risks.
Goin' overdrive (oh-oh-oh)
Our intensity and excitement has reached the highest level.
Goin' overdrive, yeah
We are both fully committed to this risky and intense situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher John Stracey, Conan Gray, Jordan Johnson, Oliver Peterhof, Stefan Johnson, Tobias Jr. Jesso
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-lr2qb8jx9g
Only met on the weekend
주말에만 만났지
Said I'm not catchin' feelings
느낌이 안 온다고 했는데
Oh, I guess I lied
내가 거짓말을 했던 것 같아
Divin' off of the deep end
막다른 벼랑에서 뛰어내렸어
I can't think of a reason
이유는 안 떠올라
We should take our time
우리의 시간을 가져야 할 것 같아
All or nothin'
모 아니면 도야
Let's just trust the night
그냥 이 밤을 한 번 믿어보자
Burnin' down the street
거리를 달려보자
No left, right, left, right
왼쪽도, 오른쪽도 아니야
I don't wanna see no red light, red light
빨간불은 보기 싫어
Fast lane on the beat go ten, five, ten, five
비트에 맞춰 추월차선으로 달려
You right next to me, feel the heat
네가 옆에 앉아있으니 열기가 느껴져
Goin' overdrive
빠르게 질주해
Goin' overdrive, yeah
빠르게 질주해
Yeah, I know you're a stranger
너를 잘 모르기는 해도
But I'm likin' the danger
난 잘 모르는 것에 대한
Of the "I don't know"
위험성을 좋아해
Don't give a fuck about labels
꼬리표 따위 신경 안 써
Throw the dice on the table
테이블에 주사위를 던져
And just let 'em roll
어떻게 나오나 굴려보자
All or nothin'
모 아니면 도야
Let's just trust the night
그냥 이 밤을 한 번 믿어보자
Burnin' down the street
거리를 달려보자
No left, right, left, right
왼쪽도, 오른쪽도 아니야
I don't wanna see no red light, red light
빨간불은 보기 싫어
Fast lane on the beat go ten, five, ten, five
비트에 맞춰 추월차선으로 달려
You right next to me, feel the heat
네가 옆에 앉아있으니 열기가 느껴져
Goin' overdrive
빠르게 질주해
Goin' overdrive, yeah
빠르게 질주해
All or nothin'
모 아니면 도야
Let's just trust the night, night
그냥 이 밤을 한 번 믿어보자
All or nothin'
모 아니면 도야
You're my ride or die
너한테 헌신할게
Burnin' down the street
거리를 달려보자
No left, right, left, right
왼쪽도, 오른쪽도 아니야
I don't wanna see no red light, red light
빨간불은 보기 싫어
Fast lane on the beat go ten, five, ten, five
비트에 맞춰 추월차선으로 달려
You right next to me, feel the heat
네가 옆에 앉아있으니 열기가 느껴져
Goin' overdrive
빠르게 질주해
Goin' overdrive, yeah
빠르게 질주해
Goin' overdrive
빠르게 질주해
Goin' overdrive, yeah
빠르게 질주해
@user-dv8vp9ms6y
Lyrics
Only met on the weekend
Said I'm not catching feelings
Oh I guess I lied
Diving off the deep end
I can't think of a reason
We should take our time
All or nothing
Let's just trust the night
Burning down the street
No left right, No left right
I don't want to see no red light red light
Fast lane on the beat go ten five ten five
You right next to me, feel the heat
Going overdrive
Going overdrive
Yeah I know you're a stranger
But I'm liking the danger
Of the "I don't know"
Don't give a fuck about labels
Throw the dice on the table
And just let them roll
All or nothing
Let's just trust the night
Burning down the street
No left right, No left right
I don't want to see no red light red light
Fast lane on the best go ten five ten five
You right next to me,
Feel the heat
Going overdrive
Going overdrive
All or nothing
Let's just trust the night, night
All or nothing
You're my ride or die
Burning down the street
No left right, No left right
I don't want to see
No red light red light
Fast lane on the best
Go ten five ten five
You right next to me,
Feel the heat
Going overdrive
Going overdrive
Going overdrive
Going overdrive
@audreyw2581
PLEASE— when the ending said “this was all a romanticized montage of an imagined life with a random pretty person i saw in public” I FELT THAT
@aamanisinghh
Hey everyone conan is like one of inspirations I swear I really need 1k subs for a camera(I know people lie about it but its true I swear) anyways every sub counts! Please help me and don't forget that you are loved and you are worth it!
@yarenb4083
this was literally what i was thinking at the end 💀😭
@kidkrow1023
Conan inspires me so much and I did a cover of his song "Heather" Hope you will watch it: https://youtu.be/VNtAXEfcEao
@dayskyy
@cvcliin it doesn't actually say it, it just implies it loll
@tashfiaahmed1169
@cvcliin she meant "implied"... It is not explicitly stated in the video but the scene where Conan sees that girl in station on the other end, that's what is basically implied.
@andreacamara9
“don’t give a fuck about labels”
YES CONAN
@sakibrahman9843
I love Conan So Much! I did (Overdrive by Conan) cover (◕ᴗ◕✿) hope you'lll listen!!
https://youtu.be/iQxaNSivROs
@Shayhriyar
THE ENERGY WE NEEDED btw I just started out my channel and I'd be grateful if y'all give me some suggestions and my covers a listen
@NinaWatsonnn
Yesssss I screamed when he said that!