drive
Rem Lyrics


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Smack, crack, bushwhacked
Tie another one to the racks, baby

Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby

What if I ride
What if you walk
What if you rock around the clock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
What if you did, what if you walk?
What if you tried to get off, baby?

Hey, kids, where are you
Nobody tells you what to do, baby

Hey kids, shake a leg
Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby

Maybe you did
Maybe you walked
Maybe you rocked around the clock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Maybe I ride
Maybe you walk
Maybe I drive to get off, baby

Hey kids, shake a leg
Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby

Ollie, ollie
Ollie, ollie, ollie
Ollie, ollie, in come free, baby

Hey, kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby

Smack, crack, shack-a-lack
Tie another one to your back, baby

Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby

Maybe you did
Maybe you walk
Maybe you rock around the clock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Maybe I ride
Maybe you walk
Maybe I drive to get off, baby

Hey kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby





Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby, baby, baby

Overall Meaning

The song "Drive" by R.E.M. is a nod to rock and roll culture of the 60s and 70s, promoting the idea of freedom, rebellion and individuality. The lyrics are an invitation to break free from the constraints of society and do something wild and unpredictable. The opening lines "Smack, crack, bushwhacked, tie another one to the racks, baby" may allude to drug use, which was a big part of the rock and roll lifestyle, and the following lines "Hey kids, rock and roll, nobody tells you where to go, baby" suggest that music and the culture surrounding it are a means to escape from the mundane routines of life.


The chorus of the song follows a series of hypothetical scenarios: "What if I ride? What if you walk? What if you rock around the clock?" The repeated use of "tick-tock" creates a sense of urgency, urging the listener to take action to live life to the fullest. The lines "Maybe I ride, maybe you walk, maybe I drive to get off, baby" imply that the journey is what counts, not the destination, and that it is up to the individual to decide how they want to get there.


The song ends with the repeated phrase "Hey kids, rock and roll, nobody tells you where to go, baby, baby, baby." The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the theme of freedom and individuality, encouraging people to follow their own path in life, without being bound by expectations or rules.


Overall, "Drive" is a celebration of the rebellious spirit of rock and roll, promoting the idea of individual freedom and breaking free from societal norms.


Line by Line Meaning

Smack, crack, bushwhacked
Life can get rough and tough, difficult to endure


Tie another one to the racks, baby
Life keeps pushing you down, adding more weight to your struggles


Hey kids, rock and roll
Life is about enjoying the journey, finding happiness in moments


Nobody tells you where to go, baby
You are the captain of your life and can choose your own path forward


What if I ride
What if I take a chance and fully embrace life


What if you walk
What if you take a slower path, enjoying the small moments


What if you rock around the clock
What if you go all-in and fully live your life without hesitation


Tick-tock, tick-tock
Time is always ticking, there's no time to waste


What if you did, what if you walk?
What if you tried a different path or approach to life


What if you tried to get off, baby?
What if you try to break free from your struggles and find a better life


Hey kids, where are you?
Where are you in your life journey? What are you doing to find happiness?


Nobody tells you what to do, baby
You have the freedom to choose your own life


Hey kids, shake a leg
Get moving, take action to change your life


Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby
Sometimes people may question your decisions and your sanity


Maybe you did
Maybe you took a chance and tried something new


Maybe you walked
Maybe you took your time and enjoyed every moment


Maybe you rocked around the clock
Maybe you fully embraced life and lived it to the fullest


Maybe I ride
Maybe I take control and drive my own life forward


Maybe you drive to get off, baby
Maybe you choose to take a different path to find happiness


Ollie, ollie
A call out to come out of hiding and be brave


Ollie, ollie, ollie
A stronger call out to come out of hiding and be fearless


Ollie, ollie, in come free, baby
Freedom is possible, just come out of hiding and take action


Hey kids, where are you?
Where are you in your journey to find freedom and happiness?


Smack, crack, shack-a-lack
Life can be full of rough moments that hit hard


Tie another one to your back, baby
Life keeps throwing struggles your way, adding more weight to your journey


Hey kids, rock and roll
Don't forget to find joy in the moments, even when life is tough


Maybe you did
Maybe you tried a new approach to improve your life


Maybe you walk
Maybe you took a slower, more deliberate path toward finding happiness


Maybe you rock around the clock
Maybe you fully embraced life and lived it to the fullest


Maybe I ride
Maybe I take control and drive my own life forward


Maybe you drive to get off, baby
Maybe you're choosing a new path to change your life


Hey kids, where are you?
Where are you on your journey to find freedom and happiness?


Hey kids, rock and roll
Keep embracing life and finding joy in the moments


Nobody tells you where to go, baby, baby, baby
You have the power to control your life, so keep moving forward and finding happiness




Lyrics © WARNER,
Written by: Michael Stipe, William Berry, Peter Buck, Michael Mills

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@IProvideLyrics1924

[Verse 1]
Smack, crack, bushwhacked
Tie another one to the racks, baby
Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby

[Chorus]
What if I ride, what if you walk?
What if you rock around the clock?
Tick-tock, tick-tock
What if you did, what if you walk?
What if you tried to get off, baby?

[Verse 2]
Hey, kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby
Hey kids, shake a leg
Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby

[Chorus]
Maybe you did, maybe you walked
Maybe you rocked around the clock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Maybe I ride, maybe you walk
Maybe I drive to get off, baby

[Bridge]
Hey kids, shake a leg
Maybe you're crazy in the head, baby
Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Ollie
Ollie, Ollie in come free, baby
Hey, kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby

[Verse 3]
Smack, crack, shack-a-lack
Tie another one to your backs, baby
Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby

[Chorus]
Maybe you did, maybe you walk
Maybe you rock around the clock
Tick-tock, tick-tock
Maybe I ride, maybe you walk
Maybe I drive to get off, baby

[Outro]
Hey kids, where are you?
Nobody tells you what to do, baby
Hey kids, rock and roll
Nobody tells you where to go, baby
Baby
Baby



All comments from YouTube:

@Michele1ELL

My boyfriend , my soul mate, passed away 6 months ago unbelievably suddenly. It’s insane that someone can walk out the door one morning, and you’ll never see them again. He loved this song. He had eclectic music taste and played R.E.M. a lot. He loved this song. My favorite memories are of him and I sitting and listening to music and talking. I don’t myself connecting with many people to be honest. He and I could talk about anything for hours, even after 13 years together. This is the first time I’ve listened to this song since it happened.

@_hrlt

😭 He had great taste. 🤗

@ek-eq1ox

I'm sorry. Listen to everything he loved. You will find him there.
Wishing you peace.

@mariekepc

I am sorry for your loss....

@patricia37011

I just got a sad mssg from my girlfriend who's husband passed away few days ago and he was a motorcyclist. I send him a few mtnhs ago Drive of R.E.M and I am goning to play it again and again.for Robin and my girlfriend.Just realize that he doesnot even know that England won!! I am Dutcch so I go for UK now rest of EK. Strength for you and your loss Mich

@_hrlt

@@patricia37011 😭

416 More Replies...

@michaelrelich2444

When this album came out, I was backpacking in the Sierras with a CD player and only brought a couple CDs. I played this song, gazing into the stars while drinking single malt scotch. It was a religious experience and left an indelible mark on my psyche. It’s absolutely my favorite album

@brandonlee9238

Right on, agreed 👍 our younger generation could only hope for.. epic experience unmatched by anything these days.

@SamurajZg

I hope that you are great today ❤

@lw97nilslinuswhitewaterweb23

@@brandonlee9238 King James Bible is best

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