The song refers to the Southern Crescent, a passenger train operated by the Southern Railroad until 1979, and continues today (with fewer stops) as the Amtrak Crescent. The music video shows Chessie System trains running around Huntington, West Virginia.
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. borrowed the title of this song for his autobiography. (Until 2008, Earnhardt drove a #8 car.)
ESPN anchor John Buccigross frequently references the song on SportsCenter, usually referring to an athlete that wears the number 8 (such as Alex Ovechkin).
Driver 8
R.E.M. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The fields divided one-by-one
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We've been on this shift too long"
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm
The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged
Bells are ringing through the town again
The children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
But it's still a ways away
But we're still a ways away
But it's still a ways away
Way to shield the hated heat
Way to put myself to sleep
Way to shield the hated heat
Way to put myself, my children to sleep
He piloted this song in a plane like that one
She is selling faith on the Go Tell crusade
Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again
The fields of wheat is lookin' thin
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We've been on this shift too long"
And the train conductor says
"Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break
We can reach our destination, but we're still a ways away"
But it's still a ways away
But we're still a ways away
But it's still a ways away
The song Driver 8 by R.E.M. is a narrative about a train conductor addressing the driver and asking him to take a break. The song starts with a description of how walls are being built, fields are being divided one by one, and the conductor saying "we've been on this shift too long". The song then shifts to a description of a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm, and the power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged. The children in the town hear bells ringing and look up to see sky-blue.
The next verse talks about shielding the hated heat, about putting oneself and children to sleep. The song then mentions "He piloted this song in a plane like that one," which is believed to be a reference to the song being inspired by an incident in which Michael Stipe saw a crop duster plane while he was hanging out with farmer Bill Berry. The song then goes on talking about Southern Crescent locomotive and bells ringing again. The song ends with the conductor telling Driver 8 that they are still ways away from their destination.
The song is highly evocative of the American South, containing imagery of rural living and experiences with a train. Some of the interesting facts about the song Driver 8 include that it was released as the lead single from R.E.M.'s album Fables of the Reconstruction (1985), which is considered their most Southern-sounding album. The song was inspired by an incident where Michael Stipe saw a crop duster plane while he was hanging out with farmer Bill Berry. The song features an instrumental break that was inspired by Peter Buck’s subconscious memory of a Hindu raga. The lyrics mention Locomotive 8, which was an actual train that ran from Atlanta to Birmingham. The song peaked at #22 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. The song's title is believed to be a reference to a train driver's position in Southern Crescent locomotive AKA the Dixie Flagler. The song made Rolling Stone’s list of “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. The song was part of R.E.M.'s set when they performed live on the TV show ‘The Tube’.
The chords for Driver 8 by R.E.M are E, B, C#m, A.
Line by Line Meaning
The walls are built up stone by stone
Slowly but surely, barriers have been put in place, each one adding to the impediments that exist in our world.
The fields divided one-by-one
In the name of progress, land has been divided and fenced, disrupting the natural flow.
And the train conductor says, "Take a break, Driver 8, Driver 8, take a break, We've been on this shift too long"
The train conductor tells the driver to take a break, as the journey has been long and they need to rest.
We can reach our destination but we're still a ways away
Although they have come far and can see their goal, they still have a long way to go.
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm
Despite the changes around them, there are still pockets of life that exist, quietly and unobtrusively.
The power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged
Modern technology has its purpose, but its presence can cause issues that need to be addressed accordingly.
Bells are ringing through the town again, The children look up, all they hear is sky-blue, bells ringing
In the midst of their daily lives, small moments of joy and beauty can still be found and appreciated.
Way to shield the hated heat, Way to put myself to sleep, Way to shield the hated heat, Way to put myself, my children to sleep
People have their own ways of coping and finding comfort, even if it means numbing themselves to the world's harsh realities.
He piloted this song in a plane like that one, She is selling faith on the Go Tell crusade, Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again, The fields of wheat is lookin' thin
Life is constantly changing and moving forward, the past becoming a distant memory as new experiences arise.
But it's still a ways away, But we're still a ways away, But it's still a ways away
The journey may be long and uncertain, but perseverance and determination will help them get there.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonymadrid4699
Em Am G G/F# Em
The walls are built up, stone by stone
Am G G/F#
fields divided one by one
Em Am
and the train conductor says
G G/F#
Take a break, Driver 8
Em Am
Driver 8, take a break
G G/F#
we've been on this shift too long
D C D
And the train conductor says
C D
Take a break, Driver 8
C D
Driver 8, take a break
C Em
we can reach our destination
Em/F# Em
(but it’s still a ways away)
Em/F# Em
(but it’s still a ways away)
•
I saw a treehouse on the outskirts of the farm
power lines have floaters so the airplanes won't get snagged
bells are ringing through the town again
children look up, all they hear is sky-blue bells ringing
And the train conductor says
Take a break, Driver 8,
Driver 8, take a break
we can reach our destination
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
Am C
Way to seal the hated heat
G D
a way to put myself to sleep
Am C
way to seal the hated heat
G D
a way to put myself, my children sleep
•
Piloted this song in a plane like that one
she is selling faith on the Go Tell Crusade
Locomotive 8, Southern Crescent, hear the bells ring again
fields of wheat are stricken thin
And the train conductor says
Take a break, Driver 8,
Driver 8, take a break
we've been on this shift too long
And the train conductor says
Take a break, Driver 8,
Driver 8 take a break
we can reach our destination
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
(but it’s still a ways away)
❧
@coolhotlantan
When this video was filmed in my hometown of Clifton Forge Virginia, I was a young Locomotive Engineer for the C&O/Chessie System. I was running the Locomotive in 2 of the scenes in the video. You can't see me but I was there! It was so cool that they chose our town to shoot this video! Love REM!
@Clifton_Clowers597
Chessie system
@timdavidson4456
Cool that used to be a huge titan of a company and business. Originally Louisville & Nashville and now CSX Teansportaion premier Eastern sea board Rail Road. The reviews on Conductor occupation online are so terrible and discouragement.i have immense legacy with this company. Wish it were more like the original Louisville Nashville.
@stuffedanimalmagickshop
So cool!
@brettscott8288
I grew up in Williamsburg, Va! Spent many years in Richmond 🔥
@i.a.1475
Nice SD50 8558 you conducted sir!
@williammonteith6653
Living in the projects with a drug addict mother no dad around these guys got me through some really rough times. I'm 45 now and still rock out to them.
@1qwasz12
God Bless You & keep you close to His heart.
@Dahlia4777
Glad you made it through the rough times.......GodisLifeisGood
@donny763222
Hang in there 7632227173 don......
Would love to jam with you much respect