Driver
Lukasz Sychowicz (X-Ray) Lyrics
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With soft rock hair and blood shot eyes
He tastes like Marlboro cigarettes, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups,
A Pepsi in his hand, getting off the school bus
Films and drills and safety illustrations
The crushed cars of driver education
Who pledged allegiance to a life of bending the curriculum
She tastes like spring, there she goes again,
Drinking with the older guys, tripping by the lakeside
Films and drills and safety illustrations
The crushed cars of driver education
When you were sweet sixteen, I was already mean and
Feeling bad for giving it up to the man just to make the scene
Where were you, back when I had something to prove,
With the switchblade set and the church kids learning my moves?
I ran for miles through the suburbs of the seventies,
Pollen dust and Pixie sticks, kissing in the deep end
Of swimming pools before I knew what's in there
We come into this life waterlogged and tender
Films and drills and safety illustrations
The crushed cars of driver education
The lyrics to X-Ray's song Driver appear to delve into themes of adolescent rebellion, nostalgia for teenage years, and the need to break free from society's constraints. The first verse describes the singer's past attraction to guys who have attempted suicide, seemingly representing the dangerous and edgy behavior that can be alluring to youth. The mention of Marlboro cigarettes, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Pepsi further reinforces the adolescent vibe by referencing popular junk food and soda brands. The line "Films and drills and safety illustrations, the crushed cars of driver education" plays with the idea of traditional education and safety guidelines being restrictive and confining, with the image of crushed cars potentially symbolizing the dangers and consequences of rebellion.
The second verse introduces tattooed girls who cannot recall their past, who have pledged to live life on their own terms by bending the curriculum. The singer references drinking with older guys and tripping by the lakeside, suggesting a desire to escape from societal norms and experience the world on their own terms. The third verse describes the singer's own teenage experience of feeling mean and giving into societal pressures, with a sense of regret for lost opportunities. The image of running through the suburbs, kissing in swimming pools, and feeling waterlogged and tender suggests a bittersweet longing for the past.
Overall, the lyrics of Driver appear to be a nostalgic exploration of adolescence, rebellion, and the need to break free from societal constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
I fell for guys who tried to commit suicide,
I was attracted to guys who were damaged and on the brink of ending their own lives.
With soft rock hair and blood shot eyes
These guys had a certain look about them, with long hair and tired, bloodshot eyes.
He tastes like Marlboro cigarettes, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups,
This particular guy had a distinct taste from his smoking habit and love for peanut butter cups.
A Pepsi in his hand, getting off the school bus
He was a high school student, just getting off the bus with a drink in hand.
Films and drills and safety illustrations
The education on driving, including educational films, drills, and illustrations on safety measures on the road.
The crushed cars of driver education
The visual demonstrations of car crashes used in driver education to emphasize the importance of safety measures.
Now its tattooed girls with a past they can't remember,
Nowadays, I'm attracted to girls with tattoos and a history they can't fully recall.
Who pledged allegiance to a life of bending the curriculum
These girls have committed themselves to a life of breaking the rules and not conforming to the standards set by the education system.
She tastes like spring, there she goes again,
This particular girl has a fresh, lively taste to her, and she is always off seeking new experiences and adventures.
Drinking with the older guys, tripping by the lakeside
She spends her time with older men and exploring new things, even if it involves drug use by the lake.
When you were sweet sixteen, I was already mean and
I was already tough and experienced by the time you were young and innocent at sixteen.
Feeling bad for giving it up to the man just to make the scene
I regret giving in to society's expectations of me, just to fit in with the crowd.
Where were you, back when I had something to prove,
You weren't around when I felt like I had something to prove and had a point to make.
With the switchblade set and the church kids learning my moves?
I was known for my rough attitude and fighting with a switchblade, and even the kids at church were aware of my reputation.
I ran for miles through the suburbs of the seventies,
I spent a lot of time running through the suburban streets in the seventies, presumably as a way to blow off steam.
Pollen dust and Pixie sticks, kissing in the deep end
I have memories of the sweet smell of pollen and the sugary rush from Pixie Sticks, as well as making out in the deep end of a swimming pool.
Of swimming pools before I knew what's in there
I had these experiences before I was fully aware of the sexual implications behind them.
We come into this life waterlogged and tender
As people, we come into this world wet and vulnerable, like sponges soaking up everything around us.
Films and drills and safety illustrations
Once again, this line refers to the educational videos, drills, and illustrations used to teach driver safety measures.
The crushed cars of driver education
This final line also references the graphic demonstrations of car crashes shown in driver education classes to drive home the importance of safety precautions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind