Halsey told Popjustice that this was the first happy song she ever wrote:
It’s a sweet song, it’s about being in a relationship, being in love with someone and not knowing how to tell them. […] It’s so ironic that it’s called ‘Drive’ because it symbolizes this departure from the Badlands—this point where I drive away. I leave.
Halsey described this song as “the music baby of me and Timmy the Terror aka the mastermind behind “Hurricane” […] sad vibey heat.”
“Drive” became available through iTunes at midnight exactly a week before the release of Badlands on August 21st, 2015. The demo version was included in the deluxe box set as a 7" record.
Drive
Halsey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swerving on the 405, I can never keep my eyes off this
My neck, the feeling of your soft lips
Illuminated in the light, bouncing off the exit signs I missed
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Your laugh, echoes down the hallway
Carves into my hollow chest, spreads over the emptiness
It's bliss
It's so simple but we can't stay
Over analyze again, would it really kill you if we kissed
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and I was singing
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
The song Drive by Halsey is a beautiful tribute to the concept of freedom and the journey of finding oneself on the open road. The opening lines of the song "My hands wrapped around your stick shift, swerving on the 405, I can never keep my eyes off this" creates imagery of a couple driving down the highway, letting go of all their inhibitions and driving towards the unknown. The feeling of freedom is further accentuated by the line "All we do is drive" which reiterates the idea of the journey being more important than the destination.
The song is also a commentary on the complexities of relationships. Lines like "All we do is think about the feelings that we hide, all we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign, sick and full of pride" highlights the internal conflicts that people face when in love. The lyrics suggest that the couple is happy in their own little world but also insecure about the future of their relationship.
The line "And California never felt like home to me, until I had you on the open road and now we're singing" indicates that the couple has found solace in each other's company, finding a sense of belonging on the open road. The song perfectly captures the feeling of adventure, freedom, and the complexities of love.
Line by Line Meaning
My hands wrapped around your stick shift
I hold on to your gear stick so tight as we take turns wildly on the busy highway.
Swerving on the 405, I can never keep my eyes off this
I can't help but be captivated by the thrill of reckless driving on Route 405.
My neck, the feeling of your soft lips
I feel a gentle kiss on my neck, while the car's interior lights highlight my ecstatic expression.
Illuminated in the light, bouncing off the exit signs I missed
The passing exit signs reflect light over us as we drive by, creating a pleasant atmosphere, while I regret not taking an early exit.
All we do is drive
We spend most of our time on the road, driving away from our concealed emotions.
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
Our minds are occupied with the hidden emotions that we are too afraid to express.
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
We remain silent, hoping for a subtle hint to break through the emotional barriers between us.
Sick and full of pride
We are both suffering due to our egoistic nature, making it difficult to acknowledge our true feelings.
And California never felt like home to me
The sunshine state was never comforting enough for me until I found solace in this relationship.
Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing
With you by my side, the open road and music create a much-needed peaceful atmosphere.
Your laugh, echoes down the hallway
The sound of your laughter reverberates through the hallways of my heart, penetrating even the deepest and darkest corners of it.
Carves into my hollow chest, spreads over the emptiness
My chest, which feels hollow without your presence, fills up with joy every time you laugh.
It's bliss
The feeling of being with you is pure joy and happiness.
It's so simple but we can't stay
Our love seems uncomplicated, yet we struggle to maintain it for an extended period.
Over analyze again, would it really kill you if we kissed
We dwell upon our thoughts and hesitate to express our affections as we contemplate, will it be a matter of life and death if we kiss?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ashley Frangipane, Tim Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pendekarsarden5410
THE LYRICS
My hands wrapped around the stick shift
Swerving on the 405,
I can never keep my eyes
Off this
My neck, the feeling of your soft lips
Illuminated in the light,
Bouncing off the exit signs
I missed
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing
Your laugh echoes down the highway
Carves into my hollow chest,
Spreads over the emptiness
It's bliss
It's so simple but we can't stay
Overanalyze again
Would it really kill you if we kissed?
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and I was singing
@abelalmeida4964
My hands wrapped around the stick shift
Swerving on the 405,
I can never keep my eyes
Off this
My neck, the feeling of your soft lips
Illuminated in the light,
Bouncing off the exit signs
I missed
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing
Your laugh echoes down the highway
Carves into my hollow chest,
Spreads over the emptiness
It's bliss
It's so simple but we can't stay
Overanalyze again
Would it really kill you if we kissed?
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and I was singing
thank me later :p
@basmalah.6691
LYRICS:
My hands wrapped around the stick shift
Swerving on the 405,
I can never keep my eyes
Off this
My neck, the feeling of your soft lips
Illuminated in the light,
Bouncing off the exit signs
I missed
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing
Your laugh echoes down the highway
Carves into my hollow chest,
Spreads over the emptiness
It's bliss
It's so simple but we can't stay
Overanalyze again
Would it really kill you if we kissed?
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and I was singing
♥♥♥♥♥
@isabelleboudreau397
This is a story I can write in the length of a song:
His face lit up as he laughed at my joke, making my insides light on fire. Not in a painful way, like a forest fire, more like the soft, dancing flame off a candle. I smile back, blush creeping up my neck and my hair falling front of my face. He's so cute, but he'll never like me.
Why would he?
"HIS POV"
She tells this joke, and I laugh. She stared into my eyes for a moment, as though contemplating. She gives me a soft smile, then looks down, her hair falling in her face. I just want to tell her. I try, but my voice is stuck in my throat.
Plus, why would she like a scrap like me?
@gabriellaalmeida
Lyrics
My hands wrapped around the stick shift
Swerving on the 405,
I can never keep my eyes
Off this
My neck, the feeling of your soft lips
Illuminated in the light,
Bouncing off the exit signs
I missed
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and now we're singing
Your laugh echoes down the highway
Carves into my hollow chest,
Spreads over the emptiness
It's bliss
It's so simple but we can't stay
Overanalyze again
Would it really kill you if we kissed?
All we do is drive
All we do is think about the feelings that we hide
All we do is sit in silence waiting for a sign
Sick and full of pride
All we do is drive
And California never felt like home to me
And California never felt like home
And California never felt like home to me
Until I had you on the open road and I was singing
@abby06.30
badlands was THE era. i’m so glad i discovered her during it 🥺
@BITCHstfu234
It's my favorite era til this very day, so iconic 😭
@abby06.30
Tymira Smith yesss samee
@notearsleftinbutera1425
same
@beatrizmarques5301
YESSS
@elfenlied_girl1238
Same girl same!!!
@austinlagowski_8441
This is totally the, "I have a crush and we both like eachother but I'm shy" anthem
@prettybaby_7
truee
@HappyRainbowTown
im gonna take this as a sign then, cuz i read the lyrics and it reminded me of my crush, and now i see your comment lol
@lucidfairth1879
lol.