Driver
Trey Anastasio & Tom Marshall Lyrics
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Who lives inside my head
He starts me up and stops me
And puts me in to bed
He opens up my mouth
When it's time for me to talk
And fires up my legs
When he wants me to walk
For most of the day
Adds to my memories
The things that people say
When he makes decisions
I don't have to wait
But sometimes it seems that
He's got too much on his plate
Like this morning when I woke up
He dressed me in this shirt
It looks a little ragged
Where he dragged me through the dirt
I'm moving through this life
And I'm thinking about the next
And hope that when I get there
That I'll be better dressed
He keeps my eyes open
For most of the day
Adds to my memories
The things that people say
When he makes decisions
I don't have to wait
I'll tell you about the driver
Who lives inside my head
The song "Driver" by Trey Anastasio & Tom Marshall is a reflection on the singer's inner voice, or as he calls it, the driver that lives inside his head. He describes this driver as the one who controls his thoughts and actions, starting him up in the morning and putting him to bed at night. The driver opens up his mouth when it's time to speak and fires up his legs when it's time to walk. He keeps the singer's eyes open for most of the day and adds to his memories the things that people say. The driver also makes decisions for him so he doesn't have to wait, but sometimes he seems to have too much on his plate.
The lyrics of this song can be interpreted in different ways. One way to look at it is as an introspective reflection on the human mind and the way it works. The driver can be seen as a representation of the subconscious mind, which controls much of our behavior without us being aware of it. The singer struggles with the driver at times, feeling like he's not in control of his own life. He hopes to be better dressed in the next life, which can be interpreted as a desire to improve himself and take charge of his own destiny.
Overall, "Driver" is a thought-provoking song that invites the listener to reflect on the inner workings of the human mind and the different forces that influence our behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll tell you about the driver
The writer wants to describe the driver who controls his thoughts and actions.
Who lives inside my head
The driver is a metaphorical entity residing in the author's mind and controlling their actions.
He starts me up and stops me
The driver is responsible for initiating and stopping the author's actions.
And puts me in to bed
The driver is responsible for the author's sleep and rest cycles.
He opens up my mouth
The driver controls the author's speech and expression.
When it's time for me to talk
The driver determines when the author should speak or stay silent.
And fires up my legs
The driver controls the author's mobility and ability to move.
When he wants me to walk
The driver decides when the author should walk or run.
Keeps my eyes open
The driver ensures that the author's eyes remain open and alert.
For most of the day
The driver maintains the author's focus and alertness throughout the day.
Adds to my memories
The driver is responsible for storing the author's memories of events and conversations.
The things that people say
The driver specifically records the words that people say to the author.
When he makes decisions
The driver is responsible for making choices on the author's behalf.
I don't have to wait
The author does not need to wait for the driver to make decisions, as they are automatic.
But sometimes it seems that
At times, the driver may become overwhelmed or make mistakes.
He's got too much on his plate
The driver is facing too many responsibilities or decisions to make at once.
Like this morning when I woke up
The author is recalling a specific instance where the driver made a mistake.
He dressed me in this shirt
The driver chose the author's clothing for them that day.
It looks a little ragged
The chosen clothing is not in perfect condition.
Where he dragged me through the dirt
The author is using a metaphor to describe how the driver's mistake made them look unkempt.
I'm moving through this life
The author is living their life, with the driver's assistance.
And I'm thinking about the next
The author is considering their future and what their life will be like.
And hope that when I get there
The author wishes that they will be happy and successful in the future.
That I'll be better dressed
The author hopes to look presentable in the future, without the driver's mistakes affecting their appearance.
Writer(s): Trey Anastasio, Thomas Marshall
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.