The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I have to drive
I have my reasons, dear
It's cold outside
I hate the seasons here
I suffer mornings most of all
I feel so powerless and small
By ten o'clock I'm back in bed
Fighting the jury in my head
You learn to drive
It's only natural, dear
You drive all night
We haven't slept in years
We suffer mornings most of all
We saw you lying in the road
We tried to dig a decent grave
But it's still no way to behave
It is a delicate position
Spin the bottle
Pick the victim
Catch a tiger
Switch directions
If he hollers
Break his ankles
To protect him
We'll have to drive
They're getting closer
Just get inside
It's almost over
We will save your brothers
We will save your cousins
We will drive them far away
From streets and lights
From all signs of bad mankind
We suffer mornings most of all
Wake up all bleary eyed and sore
Forgetting everything we saw
(I'll meet you in an hour
At the car)
I have my reasons, dear
It's cold outside
I hate the seasons here
I suffer mornings most of all
I feel so powerless and small
By ten o'clock I'm back in bed
Fighting the jury in my head
You learn to drive
It's only natural, dear
You drive all night
We haven't slept in years
We suffer mornings most of all
We saw you lying in the road
We tried to dig a decent grave
But it's still no way to behave
It is a delicate position
Spin the bottle
Pick the victim
Catch a tiger
Switch directions
If he hollers
Break his ankles
To protect him
We'll have to drive
They're getting closer
Just get inside
It's almost over
We will save your brothers
We will save your cousins
We will drive them far away
From streets and lights
From all signs of bad mankind
We suffer mornings most of all
Wake up all bleary eyed and sore
Forgetting everything we saw
(I'll meet you in an hour
At the car)
Lyrics submitted by HalfJack483
Have to Drive Lyrics as written by Amanda Palmer
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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These are all nice interpretations, but for me it's still about roadkill. I don't think there's anything "funny" or boring or unsatisfying about that; it's a very depressing song and still has elements of Amanda's usual themes of dissatisfaction among modern humanity. She's very good at double meanings, and I think she does it well in this song.
We have to drive - we have things we need to get away from, even if it only feels like we're getting away from them. How many of us go driving when we're depressed, just to get away from our own thoughts and concentrate on something else for a while? Even my psychologist has suggested going for drives when I feel terrible.
We drive all night - I think the "we" here is humanity in general. Even in small towns out in the country, there is always at least one car on the road at any time of the night. Someone is always awake and driving. Humanity hasn't slept in years.
The last stanzas are about moving animals (in cars and trucks) to other places - wilderness preserves and zoos. If we pick up the deer, put them inside a vehicle, and move them somewhere where they'll be caged in away from the cars, we'll save them in a way.
It's all very sad; it's an awful way to behave, because we're killing animals and the planet. But we can't help it. We have to drive, so let's meet at the car.