The band initially consisted in 1969 of Steve Marriott (formerly of Small Faces; lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Peter Frampton (from The Herd; lead guitar), Greg Ridley (from Spooky Tooth; bass) and Jerry Shirley (from The Apostolic Intervention; drums).
The joining of all these fairly known players resulted in Humble Pie being considered a bit of a “supergroup”. Worried about great expectations, the group began working together in secret at Marriott's cottage in Moreton, Essex. Signed to Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate Records, their debut single "Natural Born Boogie" was rushed out in 1969 and was a UK number five hit; it was quickly followed by the album As Safe As Yesterday Is, praised as a progressive album in the vein of Small Faces. Their second album Town and Country was also released in 1969 and featured a more acoustic sound. Humble Pie concerts at this time featured an acoustic set followed by an electric set, an approach that would become popular decades later.
1970 saw the financial collapse of Immediate, a switch to A&M Records, and a change in band management. The albums Humble Pie and Rock On, both released that year, alternated between progressive rock and boogie rock excess. A concert at the Fillmore East in NYC was captured on Perfomance Rockin' The Fillmore (1971); it is considered one of the best live rock albums of its era, with Marriott, Frampton, and the rest of the group in fine form. The loud-quiet-loud epic "I Don't Need No Doctor" was an FM radio hit in the United States, propelling the album to the group's biggest commercial success yet.
However, Frampton had already left the band by the time of the album's release, to pursue a solo career that would become extremely successful later in the 1970s. With Dave "Clem" Clempson replacing Frampton, Humble Pie moved towards an even harder sound at the urging of manager Dee Anthony, emphasizing Marriott's blues and soul roots.
Smokin' (1972) had a minor hit in "Thirty Days in the Hole" and was reasonably successful commercially based on the group's constant touring. As a premiere US concert attraction, they traveled in a customized private jet, and partook in all forms of the rock n roll excess available to formerly working class musicians that rose to fame and riches in this era, even hiring The Blackberries, a trio of black backup singers including Vanetta Fields formerly of The Ikettes. Nevertheless the band's extended, long form concert boogie jam rock style was unable to break them into the mainstream radio. Eat It (1974) was three sides of mostly R&B covers and one side live, and while appreciated by their core fans, did nothing to expand the group's audience. The group staged the Goodbye Pie Tour in 1975 and essentially broke up.
In 1980 Marriott, divorced, and with financial problems in the UK, relocated to Atlanta Georgia and revived Humble Pie with Shirley, adding Bobby Tench (from Jeff Beck Group) on guitar and Anthony "Sooty" Jones on bass. Two albums with a more modern heavy metal sound were released but the effort soon fell apart. In 1991 Marriott and Frampton began collaborating again, with another Humble Pie rebirth possibly in the offing, but an unfortunate house fire took Marriott's life before anything tangible could materialise. http://rockandrollgarage.com/the-tragic-story-of-steve-marriott-death/
Driver
Humble Pie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(To) get on the bus
Waiting for the driver but he ain't gonna fuss
He's got Manson eyes, he's got cocaine hair
He's bad news, boy, Lord, he ain't nowhere, hey
He got little bitty feet that hurt when we walk
Shiny pointy teeth that show when he talk
Got an on-schedule train coming two miles out
Well, I'm waiting for the driver
(To) get on the bus
Waiting for the driver but he ain't gonna fuss
He's got Manson eyes, he's got cocaine hair
He's bad news, boy, Lord, he ain't nowhere, hey
He got little bitty feet that hurt when we walk
Shiny pointy teeth that show when he talk
Pick up your belongings boy and scatter em out
Got an on-schedule train coming two miles out
Waiting for the driver
Waiting for the driver
The lyrics to Humble Pie’s song “Driver” speak clearly about waiting for someone to get on a bus, but not just anyone. The driver in question has “Manson eyes” and “cocaine hair” which suggest that he may be dangerous or using drugs. The singer does not seem bothered by this, as he waits patiently for the driver to arrive.
The second verse continues with the physical descriptions of the driver, including “little bitty feet that hurt when we walk,” and “shiny pointy teeth that show when he talk.” This further emphasizes the unusual and potentially threatening nature of the driver. The third and final verse repeats the first, with the singer waiting for the driver to arrive, still unfazed by his strange appearance.
Overall, the lyrics to “Driver” seem to speak about the idea of waiting for someone who may be problematic, but ultimately accepting that person as they are. The language used to describe the driver is vivid and memorable, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I'm waiting for the driver
The singer is anxiously anticipating the arrival of the driver.
(To) get on the bus
The singer is waiting for the driver to board the bus and begin driving.
Waiting for the driver but he ain't gonna fuss
The singer does not expect the driver to cause any trouble or commotion.
He's got Manson eyes, he's got cocaine hair
The driver has unsettling, intense eyes and disheveled hair, possibly due to drug use.
He's bad news, boy, Lord, he ain't nowhere, hey
The artist believes the driver is dangerous and unreliable, and has a feeling that he may not show up at all.
He got little bitty feet that hurt when we walk
The driver may have small feet, and the singer implies that this may cause discomfort when walking or standing for long periods of time.
Shiny pointy teeth that show when he talk
The driver has noticeable and possibly menacing teeth that are visible when he speaks.
Pick up your belongings boy and scatter em out
The artist urges someone to quickly gather their belongings and move away from the area, possibly due to the imminent arrival of a train.
Got an on-schedule train coming two miles out
There is a train that is expected to arrive soon, and it is two miles away from their location.
Waiting for the driver
The artist reiterates their anxious anticipation for the driver's arrival.
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@livebass99
I always Loved the Pie , they Rocked like others didnt, and when they threw in the Boogie Rock , i loved them even more,.
@gorblimey61
Thanx seek. You're awesome!
@gorblimey61
I dunno! Ya got me there.
@dustincampbell9973
it's a song about his bus driver
@TotoTom567
Dunno what the songs about, but it sounds a bit "racial". "Getting on a bus" and "ain't one of us" lol. Anyways awesome song!
@wallacewood2542
no, just about the band's odd tour bus driver and Steve trying to get him to open the bus door
@jerryshirley4628
@Wallace Wood You're right that is exactly what it's about we had a replacement driver briefly for our tour bus who was very strange. Steve wanted to get onto the bus but couldn't find the guy anywhere to let him onto the bus. Hence waiting for the driver. There wasn't a racist bone in any of us.
@dustincampbell9973
@Jerry Shirley people always gotta jump to the racist card when the cant explain stuff...thanks for all the wonderful music...wish steve was still around to make more
@_thisiswhatyouwanted_
Sabout me