There are at least two bands called Heavens to Betsy.

1. Heavens to … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two bands called Heavens to Betsy.

1. Heavens to Betsy was a punk rock band from Olympia, Washington. The members were Tracy Sawyer on drums and Corin Tucker on guitar and vocals. Their first recording, a split single on the independent label K Records with Bratmobile, put them center stage in the Riot Grrrl movement of the early 1990s. The band recorded three singles, produced one LP/CD, Calculated, and contributed to many compilations while they were together. These recordings are now sought after by collectors. One of these compilations, Free To Fight, also included a song contributed by the band Excuse 17, of which Carrie Brownstein was a member. Corin and Carrie began to play together, and when Heavens to Betsy disbanded in the mid 1990s, the two women founded Sleater-Kinney.

2. A Christian piano pop duo from Nashville, TN, consisting of Ben Backus and Stephen Lynch.

Driving Song
Heavens to Betsy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Driving on, it's late
It's 3 o'clock
Tell you pal, you're in for quite a shock
Are you driving now, are you driving on
Are you holding on tonight?
Are you scared now
Are you frightened
Are you afraid to die?

I was waiting for you tonight
I nearly woke up dead
I was waiting for you tonight
I crossed the northern lights tonight

Driving on, you've got somewhere to go
Maybe it's just away from the place before
Now we're going fast, we're going far
We're driving on ahead
How do things look now
Are you ready for the end?

I was waiting for you tonight
I nearly woke up dead
I was waiting for you tonight
I crossed the northern lights tonight

It's a bloody long shot
Do you want it or not?
It's a bloody long shot
But you'll take it

Driving on, it's late
It's 3 o'clock
Tell you pal, you're in for quite a shock
Are you driving now
Are you driving on
Are you holding on tonight?
Are you scared now

Are you frightened
Are you afraid to die?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Heavens to Betsy's "Driving Song" reflect the fear that the two individuals in the car are experiencing as they drive on past 3 a.m. The change in tone from a relaxed and casual conversation to the panicked questioning of whether the other person is afraid of dying demonstrates the sudden feeling of vulnerability that can overwhelm someone at such a late hour. The Northern Lights are mentioned as if to add to the fear of the unknown and the uncontrollable; the spectacle itself is beautiful and mystifying but can be unsettling if one is not used to it. The chorus repeats the phrase "I was waiting for you tonight" as if to suggest that the situation they find themselves in is not one they had planned or desired, and now they must face it together.

The second verse continues to explore the idea of driving fast and far as a means of escaping something unwanted. The lyrics "How do things look now / Are you ready for the end?" could be interpreted as asking the other person if they are prepared to face whatever consequences of their actions come their way, whether it be the end of a relationship, a job, or even their own life. Ultimately, the song expresses a feeling of desperation and a need to cling onto life in the face of fear and uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

Driving on, it's late
We're continuing to drive despite it being late

It's 3 o'clock
The time of night is 3am

Tell you pal, you're in for quite a shock
I warn you, what comes next might be unexpected

Are you driving now, are you driving on
Are you currently driving the vehicle?

Are you holding on tonight?
Are you safely driving the car tonight?

Are you scared now
Are you afraid at this moment?

Are you frightened
Are you extremely scared and nervous right now?

Are you afraid to die?
Are you worried about death?

I was waiting for you tonight
I was eagerly anticipating your arrival tonight

I nearly woke up dead
I was so anxious and worried about your safety that I felt unwell

I crossed the northern lights tonight
I journeyed far, through unusual and beautiful surroundings