The Driver

ok, so. I'm gonna tell yalls a thing. Te previous commenter said this swanky song is about Romeo and Juliet which I totally agree with (you go comment bro). However, I view it as my boi Mercutio's internal monologue as he's dying. Buckle down and I'll tell ya why. (And also Romeo and Juliet spoiler alert as if this play isn't 400 years old and literally has a prologue describing the whole thing)

Shout out from the bottom of my lungs A plague on both your houses This thing It’s a family affair It’s drawing out my weakness

"a plague on both your houses" is a quote from Merc, spoken after he's stabbed. And then "this thing, it's a family affair" refers to the Montague and capulet feud, which (kind of) led to the fight that killed Mercutio

Big boys don't cry they don't ask why

This could be talking about how Mercutio is still making bad puns and jokes even though he's, like, dying. He feels the need to keep up his lighthearted reputation.

There was a time when a moment like this Wouldn’t ever cross my mind The sun will rise with my name on your lips ‘Cause everything will change tonight

At one point he wouldn't even have considered death as a thing that could happen. "The sun will rise with my name on your lips" refers to people who will miss him and have nightmares and stuff about him dying such as family, friends, or Really Really Close friends such as Benvolio. (I'll take this opportunity to go cry in a trash can about Bencutio and about how I ship R&J characters). And of course everything will change, Merc with a mouth is gonna be dead. That's a big difference for him I think.

I want to be back on the ground Where my feet touch my shadow I want to dig my heels in the dirt Feel it break between all of my toes Anything to stop floating ‘round Bring me down Back down below, oh, oh, oh, oh

First of all, bleeding to death (or BEING STABBED in general) can't be too pleasant. And also dying. You probably feel like you're floating. He's saying he wants to be alive, to not let death take him. That was poetic, kids. The "bring me down" stuff could be a continuation of that thought, OR it could be delirious begging to Ben while he's dying in his arms (sobs).

Take breath And push the anger down Try to remember calmness

We all know Mercutio has a temper. He's trying to relax himself and not get worked up. Oh, now he's listening to what benvolio has been telling him to do for at least 3 days. ORR it could be Benvolio telling himself not to get angry and hurt anyone (namely Tybalt) because he has to be calm and give testimony and murder is bad.

Hey now What’s the gravity upon your face So I’m the one who’s bleeding Real men Always thinkin’ with our fists My turn to be the victim

I have no clue about the gravity part, so let's just say he's delirious from blood loss! He criticizes how men fight without thinking and seems to regret partaking in that (goOD). And now he's the victim (i.e. the dead one)

And then he dies.

Thank you for your kind attention, I rest my case.

Love, an actual steaming hot bowl of cheese soup