I Can Drive
Shakespears Sister Lyrics


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Hey boys, it's a steal
You're hanging on, by your finger nails
As usual, the king is dead
Long live the queens
Hey girls, no big deal
You're fifteen minutes
Start right here, so baby lets go
Lets go..

I'm watching the world,
I'm taking my time
I've waited my turn
Now I'm gonna shine

Heroes take their toll
Hog your dreams, then crush your soul
And take you out, out to dinner
Roll on the original
Highly strung out, spaced out individual
I'm a terminal sinner

I'm watching the world,
I'm taking my time
I've waited my turn
Now I'm gonna shine

And all the pretty people that I used to see
Have died or moved away
Or they're in recovery
And all the buildings where the faithless used to play
Have crumbled into clay
And I don't know what to say,
I just don't know what to say

I'm watching the world,
I'm taking my time
I've waited my turn
Now I'm gonna shine

I declare my innocence,
I'm worth more than 60 pence
Look, i've got a shiny car,
I Can Drive, I can drive,Yes, baby, i'm for real
That's just the way I feel
I can take a ride anytime

Everything I pass is old,
Everything I touch is gold,
Now I see the world unfold,
I Can drive, I can drive

Yes baby, it's a steal,
Nothing that you see is real,




Get yourself a pair of wheels,
Learn to drive, come on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shakespeare Sister's song "I Can Drive" reflect an overall theme of individualism, empowerment and breaking away from societal expectations and gender roles. The song is a declaration of independence from the chains of conformity and an invitation to take charge of your life.


The song begins with a sense of rebellion, telling the boys that they are hanging on by their fingernails and that the king is dead, ushering in a new era where queens take the throne. The message is that it's time to take advantage of the opportunities and seize the moment. The chorus "I'm watching the world, I'm taking my time, I've waited my turn, now I'm gonna shine" reinforces the theme of individualism and taking control of one's life.


The second verse speaks to the dangers of idolizing and following heroes, who may hog your dreams and crush your soul, taking you out to dinner but ultimately leaving you feeling empty. The alternative is to be your own person, a "terminal sinner," fully in charge of your life.


The last verse describes the changing world, where old buildings crumble into clay and people either die or move away, leaving room for those who dare to seize the opportunity. The message is that change is inevitable, and it's up to each individual to make the most of it.


Overall, "I Can Drive" is a call to action, an invitation to take charge of your life and be your own person, unashamed to shine brightly in your own unique way.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey boys, it's a steal
Girls can do everything boys can do, and they can do it better.


You're hanging on, by your finger nails
The boys are barely holding on to their former position of power and privilege.


As usual, the king is dead
The traditional patriarchal power structures are crumbling.


Long live the queens
Women are rising to take their rightful place in society.


Hey girls, no big deal
Women are capable of accomplishing great things, so they should not underestimate themselves.


You're fifteen minutes
Women have limited time to make their mark on the world due to societal biases and expectations.


Start right here, so baby lets go
Women should not wait for anyone to give them permission to succeed - they can start taking action right now.


I'm watching the world,
The singer is observing the world and how it is changing as women gain more power and influence.


I'm taking my time
The singer is being cautious and strategic in pursuing her goals, rather than rushing in recklessly.


I've waited my turn
The singer has been patient and persistent in her efforts to succeed.


Now I'm gonna shine
The singer is ready to show the world what she is capable of and to be recognized for her talents and efforts.


Heroes take their toll
Male role models can be damaging for women, leading them to sacrifice their own dreams and desires.


Hog your dreams, then crush your soul
Men may try to control women and force them into conforming to gender roles, which can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness.


And take you out, out to dinner
Men may use their power and influence to manipulate women, pretending to be benevolent while actually perpetuating patriarchal values.


Roll on the original
Women should not try to emulate men or conform to male standards, but should be true to themselves and embrace their own identities.


Highly strung out, spaced out individual
The singer is aware of the stereotypes and prejudices that exist against women who challenge gender norms and expectations.


I'm a terminal sinner
The singer is aware that society may judge her harshly for rejecting traditional gender roles and expectations.


And all the pretty people that I used to see
The singer has witnessed how people who conformed to societal norms and beauty standards have failed to fulfill their potential.


Have died or moved away
People who live limiting lives may either fade away or actively seek to escape their constrictions.


Or they're in recovery
People who have experienced the negative effects of societal expectations may need to undergo a process of healing and recovery to move on with their lives.


And all the buildings where the faithless used to play
Places once associated with a lack of ambition or commitment are now being repurposed by women who are determined to succeed.


Have crumbled into clay
Old ways of thinking and being are being destroyed and replaced by new and more progressive attitudes.


And I don't know what to say,
The singer is amazed and disoriented by the changes happening around her.


I just don't know what to say
The singer is overwhelmed by the possibilities and opportunities opening up to women.


I declare my innocence,
The singer asserts her right to be judged based on her own merits and not on her gender.


I'm worth more than 60 pence
The singer believes she is valuable and deserving of recognition and respect.


Look, i've got a shiny car,
The singer is proud of her achievements and wants to show them off to the world.


I Can Drive, I can drive,
The singer is asserting her independence and autonomy, free from patriarchal controls.


Yes, baby, i'm for real
The singer wants to dispel any doubts or misconceptions about her abilities or intentions.


That's just the way I feel
The singer's determination and enthusiasm are not mere posturing, but reflect her true emotions and beliefs.


I can take a ride anytime
The singer's newfound freedom and mobility allow her to pursue her dreams and aspirations without fear.


Everything I pass is old,
The singer is now moving beyond the old and outdated ways of thinking and acting.


Everything I touch is gold,
The singer's confidence and competence are leading to her achieving success and recognition.


Now I see the world unfold,
The singer is now able to see how her own actions and efforts are contributing to a larger societal shift.


I Can drive, I can drive
The singer reiterates her newfound freedom and mobility, which allows her to pursue her passions and dreams without restriction.


Yes baby, it's a steal,
The singer believes that the opportunities opening up to women are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to break free from patriarchal controls.


Nothing that you see is real,
The singer is aware that society and its structures are subject to change and that the current patriarchal order is not immutable.


Get yourself a pair of wheels,
The singer encourages other women to take control of their lives and destinies by embracing their newfound freedom and mobility.


Learn to drive, come on
The singer urges women to take advantage of the new opportunities opening up to them by learning new skills and embracing their autonomy.




Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIOBHAN MAIRE DEIRDRE FAHEY, ROBERT HODGENS, DAVID ALLAN STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

OneCharming Bastard

My favorite SS single for a million reasons, like the expression on her face as she says the word 'recovery' - the lyrics feel lifted from my life, the melody is timeless, and her idiosyncrasies make her all the more beguiling.

eckesg2

I don't know. It's hard for me to grab of a hold of who she is. She's played many different parts. from the Banana days to the initial duo to this. This was released one year after Jagged Little Pill and it shows. It seems a bit Alanis Morissette.

Bear R

@eckesg2 Alanis vs All The Young Dudes

Spencer T

Sounds like a Dave Stewart track to me.

HotSpace2007

I've always loved this song ❤️

Kieran Whiteside

I love this song it's such a chilled out
tune l listened to this song a lot
and this full album when I was going through a bad depression and it just
help with things it just chear me up for a hours or so I love this band full
stop I hope that there is more music
coming soon from this band😁❤️👍

Serene Chaos UK

Wow ! First time hearing this song in 25 years ! I remember it like yesterday; shows just how infectious a song it really is ! ! Siobhan still looks very cute at 38 ! I remember thinking this song had real atmosphere and drama; still do I guess, but not to the same degree I did as a 13 year old in 1996 ! Great use of french horns and strings ! Shame the video looks all late-90's lurid 'Britpop', but I guess she had to do that to promote the song ! OTHERWISE A GREAT SONG from a late-90's era when everything else in the popular culture was all Spice Slags, Oasis, Britpop, lads/ladettes, hooliganism, vulgarity and a general lowest-of-the-low abyss !

Christopher Moreland

Love love love this song ❤️

Steven Ross

Today I found out SS got back together at least for a bit and released a new song. And Siobhan and Marcella got over their differences enough to do so. Today was a good day.

Daniel Evans

Love this song

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