In a metaphorical sense, the phrase “keep driving” is refers to trying to move past all the crazy stuff in the world and going about your day despite everything else falling to pieces.
Keep Driving
Harry Styles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yellow sunglasses
Ash tray, swimming pool
Hot wax, jump off the roof
A small concern with how the engine sounds
We held darkness in withheld clouds
I would ask, "Should we just keep driving?"
Maple syrup, coffee
Pancakes for two
Hash brown, egg yolk
I will always love you
A small concern with how the engine sounds
We held darkness in withheld clouds
I would ask, "Should we just keep driving?"
Should we just keep driving?
Passports in footwells
Kiss her and don't tells
Wine glass, puff, pass
Tea with cyborgs
Riot America
Science and edibles
Life hacks going viral in the bathroom
Cocaine, side boob
Choke her with a sea view
Toothache, bad move
Just act normal
Mocha pot, Monday
It's all good, hey, you
Should we just keep driving?
Should we just keep driving?
Ooh, should we just keep driving?
The lyrics for Harry Styles's song "Keep Driving" paint a vibrant picture of a road trip, filled with colorful details and sensory experiences. The opening lines mention a black-and-white film camera, yellow sunglasses, an ashtray, a swimming pool, hot wax, and jumping off the roof. These seemingly random items could represent the carefree and playful nature of the trip, with young people enjoying themselves and taking risks.
The next stanza mentions more classic road trip fare, with maple syrup, coffee, pancakes for two, and eggs. The repetition of "I will always love you" could signify a deep connection between the people on this journey - maybe they're romantic partners, or dear friends who have a strong bond.
The chorus repeats the line "A small concern with how the engine sounds", perhaps indicating that there is some underlying anxiety or tension on this trip. The mention of "withheld clouds" could reference the idea that there are things left unsaid or unknown between the travelers.
The second verse takes a darker turn, mentioning passports in footwells (which could either represent freedom or a need to escape), kissing in secret, drug use, and violence ("choke her with a sea view"). The line "just act normal" seems to suggest that the travelers are trying to ignore or hide something, perhaps from each other or from the outside world.
Overall, "Keep Driving" seems to embody the spirit of a classic road trip - the highs, the lows, and the sense of adventure that comes with being on the open road.
Line by Line Meaning
Black-and-white film camera
Taking a trip back in time, reminiscent of an era.
Yellow sunglasses
Seeing things differently, with a brighter outlook.
Ash tray, swimming pool
Contrasting objects, showing two opposing things can exist in the same space.
Hot wax, jump off the roof
Risk-taking, trying new things, and embracing the unknown.
A small concern with how the engine sounds
Worrying about the state of things but still moving forward regardless.
We held darkness in withheld clouds
Carrying a burden, but keeping it hidden and not allowing it to affect the present moment.
I would ask, "Should we just keep driving?"
Questioning whether it's better to keep going and not worry about what's ahead.
Maple syrup, coffee
Finding comfort in the simple things, enjoying the present moment.
Pancakes for two
Sharing a moment with someone else, enjoying the company of another person.
Hash brown, egg yolk
Appreciating the finer things in life, taking the time to enjoy good food.
I will always love you
Expressing deep, genuine affection for another person.
Passports in footwells
Being ready for new experiences, with an eagerness to explore the world.
Kiss her and don't tells
Sharing an intimate moment with someone, but keeping it private and not gossiping about it.
Wine glass, puff, pass
Relaxing and enjoying the moment, letting go of stress and worries.
Tea with cyborgs
Being open to new experiences and ideas, even if they seem strange or unconventional.
Riot America
The chaos and disorder present in modern society, without any clear solutions.
Science and edibles
Exploring different states of consciousness and understanding the world through experimentation.
Life hacks going viral in the bathroom
The endless amount of information available to us, but also the absurdity of some of the things we focus on.
Cocaine, side boob
The darker, edgier side of life manifesting itself in various ways.
Choke her with a sea view
The extremes of life, where beauty and violence can coexist in the same moment.
Toothache, bad move
Regretting the consequences of one's decisions, wishing things could have gone differently.
Just act normal
Trying to fit in and not draw attention to oneself, even when feeling out of place.
Mocha pot, Monday
Finding small moments of joy and comfort, even on mundane days.
It's all good, hey, you
Regardless of the challenges, everything will be okay in the end. A message of hope and positivity.
Should we just keep driving?
Repeating the question, suggesting the idea of letting go and just enjoying the journey, without worrying too much about the destination.
Should we just keep driving?
Repeating the question, suggesting the idea of letting go and just enjoying the journey, without worrying too much about the destination.
Ooh, should we just keep driving?
A final call to action, urging the listener to join in and embrace the adventure of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Harry Edward Styles, Mitchell Kristopher Rowland, Thomas Edward Percy Hull, Tyler Sam Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JohnWickzs
Lyrics:
Black and white film camera, yellow sunglasses
Ash tray, swimming pool
Hot wax, jump off the roof
A small concern with how the engine sounds
We held darkness in withheld clouds
I would ask, "Should we just keep driving?"
Maple syrup, coffee
Pancakes for two
Hash brown, egg yolk
I will always love you
A small concern with how the engine sounds
We held darkness in withheld clouds
I would ask, "Should we just keep driving?"
"Should we just keep driving?"
Passports in foot wells
Kiss her and don't tells
Wine glass, puff pass
Tea with cyborgs
Riot America
Science and edibles
Life hacks going viral in the bathroom
Cocaine, side boob
Choke her with a sea view
Toothache, bad move
Just act normal
Moka pot Monday
It's all good
Hey, you
Should we just keep driving?
Should we just keep driving?
(Ooh) Should we just keep driving?
@AdoreYouDarling
So I'm listening to the album backwards, like, from loml to mfasr and it makes so much more sense than beginning to end. It tells the story of a couple who were together for a while and thought they were in love but end it, only to get back together. End to beginning obviously starts with loml. This to me is immediately after a breakup, saying we tried, I thought you were the one but it didn't work. Then Boyfriends is about him looking back and being really, really self aware and feeling bad about it, almost blaming them both for the relationship coming to an end. Satellite is like, I miss you, I need you to need me and to miss me. Keep Driving is like a dream he has, remembering the good times of their relationship but also when they tried to shrug off all the times they fought or argued as 'normal things couples do'. Daydreaming is like a fake relationship. Trying to numb the pain the other left and trying to convice himself that he's over it but with someone he's forced to be with (She said, 'Love me like you payed me) so this person he's in this fake relationship with really wants him. Like a beard in a way. Then Cinema is like going on, trying to meet new people and trying to numb the missing place of the partner who left by going out and having one night stands in a way, like an addiction since meeting someone in the fake relationship wasn't right. Again, it's the convincing himself he's fine. Now, Matilda is slightly out of place so I cant comment on it really, but it's a great song, however, we're going to skip it for now. Then it's little freak. This one is saying, yeah, I'm a bit spiteful still, but I really do think I'm over it. I miss you, I wonder how you are and think about you but he's at peace with himself. As It Was I think is when they get back together. It's like, it's not the same and that might be the reason it ended. Because things were changing and we really had to step back to try and get one with everything. It's telling a story in itself of what he went through during the time they were about with the pills. Then It's Grapejuice, which is the honeymoon part of them getting back together. Went out to get flowers, wanted to spoil you, thinking about all the places we went before we broke up (which is why this makes me think they were together a while in the relationship before the breakup) thought we could hide from our problems by not facing them but the time apart really said that we needed eachother. And Late Night Talking. The two are apart, on tours, holidays or simply not together but still talk for ages. It's a bit like Harry's the puppy, just following whatever this significant other is doing, following them to any place, talking about anything they want until the morning. And finally, MFASR. This one is saying it was almost like we were never apart, saying how he loves this person, and their relationship is finally working out and they are happy.
In conclusion, Harry went through some shit and this other person probably did too but they're happy now and are probably now going strong.
Edit: It took 6 months and I realised that I forgot daylight-
Okay, I have two theories about this one.
1. He's thinking about this person endlessly and reminiscent of what they did together, thinking about the good times and considering talking it through with them.
2. They get back together in this song but it's not the healthiest thing ever. they haven't talked about the reasons behind their breakup, they haven't talked about how they could make things better, they just did it because they missed each other, 'You were just doing cocaine in my kitchen, you never listen', but it's overall happy. Then in 'as it was', they realise they need to figure out what went wrong and how they can be together again and overcome that issue, mainly by saying 'things aren't the same as they were and we've changed so our relationship needs to as well'. Then it's all sweet and goes to being a beautiful relationship, if a bit rocky at times
Sorry about that, I don't know how I forgot!
@marttine
This song feels like you went to swimming with your fav people and that sweet tiredness in the end of the day
@followherheart2859
Yessss that’s exactly it!
@morethanaveragejoe5701
fr fr
@missbibimo
Spoke my words! ❤
@aisyahretnowahyuni3979
Sounds like from "Take Me Home" album
@luizagatto3602
OMG THIS IS IT
@soph2828
This song is so reassuring, like a warm hug. So simple, yet so powerful. One of my favourites off the album
@Josh-kt6jh
Fullly agreed
@sithmiliyanage402
Simple but effective
@soph2828
That’s such an interesting take on it! The way I see it is most of the lyrics and song paint like a calm, peaceful aesthetic, and then the bridge is like a wake-up call to the chaos of reality. But then the lyrics go back to “should we just keep driving?” which is kind of a metaphor for the conscious decision to continue to ignore reality, and find momentary peace while everything else around you is going wrong.