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A very melancholy song by The Cars, this is written from the perspective of a guy who's watching a woman (who he presumably used to date) "going down the tubes," trying to get her to take a hard look at what's going on in her life. (thanks, John - Washington, DC)

This was the Cars' highest-charting US single and their second-highest charting UK single, the highest being "My Best Friend's Girl."

In the UK, this hit #5 on its initial release. It was reissued one year later, and reached #4. The royalties from its reissue were donated to the Band Aid Trust.

Cars bass player Ben Orr sang lead on this. Orr died of Pancreatic cancer in 2000. When he died, this was played in his honor at a memorial service at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

At the Live Aid concert, this was used as background music to film clips of famine stricken Africa.

The video stars Czheckloslovakian model Paulina Porizkova. This was the first time she met cars lead vocalist/guitarist Ric Ocasek, who she married in 1989. The video was directed by actor Timothy Hutton, who has appeared in the movies Ordinary People and Beautiful Girls. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL)

The Cars performed this on Saturday Night Live on May 12, 1984. (thanks, John - Colorado Springs, CO)

Comments:

I love the melody driven sythn in this record, the bit after the main chorus is really powerful. The lyrics are great too, but 80s records were (for me) all about the sound.
- Chunks, Bristol, United Kingdom

Gripping from the first note, this song has it all: an iconic synthesizer line that oozes sorrow, mysterious though plainly written lyrics, and vocals full of desperation and lost love. This is an all time great 80s song. One of those rare songs that never seems to get old no matter how many times you hear it.
- Shawn, Green Bay, WI

I am glad that none of you (who see this as just another love song) have ever been in a deep relationship with an addict/alcoholic. It is painful to walk away from someone you care about, realizing that your being with does not help them and is destroying you. I hope you never "get" this song.
- Edee, West Winfield, NY

This song reminds me of a man I really liked in a relationship gone wrong...pretty much broke my heart. I think he may have been my soulmate.
- Frances, New York City, NY

'Drive' is one of the most moving pieces of music I've ever listened to. The melody and arrangement are absolutely captivating; from the first moment you hear it's opening you know whats coming -- just plain knocks ya out. Obviously the lyrics can mean a million things to a million people (thats what makes it a classic).
- Larry, Plano, TX

You all are wrong about the meaning of this song. It's about drug abuse. Not only does it say that on Wikipedia, you can also see it in the lyrics "Who's going to hang up - When you call?" and "Who's going to plug their ears - When you scream?"
- Landon, Winchester, OH

I'm sorry to say you are all out of your minds if you think this is about "driving your baby home" or "not dumping your significant other" because of this song. If that is the case, you have bigger issues that this song. Read the lyrics of the song and you know exactly what it is about. The song refers to a man who is in love with a woman that is battling drug abuse and mental illness. He can't take it anymore and is going to leave. The last paragraph sums it all up: "Who's gonna hold you down, When you shake? Who's gonna come around, When you break?" If you listen to the lyrics VERY carefully, you can hear Ben Orr sing the words "Bye Baby" after the second and last verse. The final "bye baby" is after his last plea to her, as she is in denial. Ho..., you know you can't go on, thinkin', Nothin's wrong, (Who's gonna drive you) (Who's gonna drive you home) Who's gonna drive you home, tonight? (bye baby) (bye baby) (bye baby)
- My family, Atlanta, GA

This song reminds me of the person who is, in my opinion, my soul mate. He is getting married in a month and it absolutely crushed me. It's my fault though and I put myself in that bind, but I wish I still had him in my life to "take care of him" and "Drive him home." By the way, this song totally reminds me of transformers now! You all remember that scene with the "beat-up" 1976 Camaro? SSSWWWEEETTT!!!!!
- Courtney, Salt Lake City, UT

i do have this song in my mobile phone. it makes me feel guilty for lying to my girlfriend. i don't love her anymore but if i leave her who'd take care of her because she needs me like hell. this song is the reason why i'll never dump her.
- Fulu Thompho, limpopo, South Africa

Sorry to break it to anyone who associates some kind of socio-political baggage to it, but the others are right, without a doubt. Watch the video. It's a love song, albeit a very unhappy one. Has absolutely nothing to do with famine.
- John, Washington, DC

'Drive' is, to me, synonymous with the report on BBC News of the Ethiopian famine In Oct.'84. The lyrics just sum up what I felt at that time and still do. Whenever I hear the song I see BBC reporter Michaeal Buerk walking through those crowds of dead and dieing, that donkey just standing there, head bowed,and the hopeless expressions on the faces of those poor people.I seldom get through listening to the song without a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat.
- Colin, Polis, Cyprus

I'm surprised no one has got this yet. It's about a girl Rick (singer of The Cars) met at a party - he insisted he offer her a ride home as she was about to leave with a guy who had been drinking (and was going to drive) - she went with the other guy and had a serious accident on the way home where she ended up being in a wheelchair. Rick was really upset about it (hence the song) and originally another member of the band sung it because he found it really hard. I remember being told at the time ('85) by the presenter of a program 'Ready to Roll' which featured all the latest and greatest music vids at the time.
- Ian, Wellington, New Zealand

One of the best songs ever written. Its about someone tapping you on the shoulder and saying have a good look at you, evaluate, are you really being honest with YOURSELF.
- Mark, Ballarat, Australia

This is one of my all-time favorites. I first heard it in West Germany after my German boyfriend and I had separated...I was feeling quite alone at the time in a foreign country. I was driving somewhere and it came up on the radio. I just remember hearing the lyrics and drawing strength from the words. The lyrics told me no one was going to take care of me, that I would have to take care of myself. It was also a recognition of the ultimate aloneness that we all must face.
- Sherry, Seattle, WA

Has anyone seen the video to this one? If you have, you'll notice in the middle of it the girl and Ric are arguing about something. What do you all think that argument was about despite that you couldn't hear what they were saying?? If anyone knows, please do tell. Thanks alot!
- Frank, Brampton, Ontario, Canada

This song is about an alcoholic and it is sung from the perspective of the person who loves them.
- Marge, Atlanta, GA

Jammie, do you know what you're talking about...? The Cars are one of the most popular bands from the 80's. Anyway, this song may not have any set meaning, like most, but it''s still a wonderful one.
- Adam, South Lyon, MI

good point pete...it seems everyone thinks everything is about drugs
- Spencer, McBride, Canada

This was a huge hit for the band. Ironic, since it was one of the few Cars singles that did not feature a brilliant Elliot Easton guitar solo.
- Paul, Marysville, WA

This is a great song. It weird that hardly anyone knows who The Cars are.
- Jammie, No Where, MI

A beautiful song, no doubt about that. Benjamin Orr really hit this song out of the park, no question.
- amay, edison, NJ

Steph, I totally agree and the band once said the song was about living with someone with a mental condition.
- Kevin, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

For me this song brings back memories of my schooldays. I remember my mum picking me up in the car after school and this playing in the background! I still love this track. Their best.
- Paul, London, England

This song is about heroin addiction.
- Bill, southeastern part of, FL

I'm not sure that the song was written with the Ethiopian famine in mind (you'll have to ask Richard Ocasek), but it fit very well when they put the song to famine images a year after its release. I think it could be applied to many tragic human conditions. That (on top of the haunting music) could explain its huge popularity; most people can relate to the lyrics, directly or vicariously.
- Eric, Cincinnati, OH

Alright, any belief that this song is about alcoholism, drug-addiction, world-hunger...perfectly understandable. But the "You can't go on thinking nothing's wrong...who's going to drive you home tonight?" line says it all. Who's going to look out for someone who is down and afflicted. It makes me want to be a better person! *sniffle*
- Tom, Toronto, Canada

truely one of the most beautiful and mis-interpeted songs ever. This song could be used for any global mishap
- Joe, Ocala, FL

I joined this group specifically so I could comment on this song. I don't give a tinker's cuss about drugs et al, but I watched (in stunned silence) the video made for the first Band Aid concert by journalists... in which the Cars tune meshed beautifully with the video. In the line "Whose gonna listen to your screams" a starving baby sreamed... I defy anyone to turn away from that. "Whose gonna drive you home tonight?" was seen as a stab at Western values where we enjoy heating, lighting, sheltered transfers between home and work, etc. And it really stabbed home at me...I have never been able to suffer whingers ever since. The people shown in the video were lucky to have a blanket to wrap around them. To me. "Drive" signifies the chasm between "haves" and "have nots" So let's not cheapen it by "Are we talking drugs here?" references. "Drive" get a lot of people digging deep in their pockets. I cannot listen to this tune without a lump forming in my throat. God Bless the Cars.
- Colin, Hook, England

lets face it, not ALL song are about DRUGS .. why do we have to think....ooh must be about drugs..maybe it's some other reason
- pete, nowra, Australia

This song is obviously about someone with a chemical dependency, likely to be alcoholism. "Who's gonna drive you home tonight?" seems to point to a person who can't "Drive" because they are too drunk. Or perhaps this person doesn't have the "Drive" to get better. I think Rik Ocasek may have written this about a former girlfriend who he had to eventually split up with because she couldn't get clean and sober.
- Dave, Marieta, GA

RIP Ben Orr...this will always be his greatest moment in the band.
- Justin, Felts Mills, NY

"My Best Friend's Girl" may have held a slightly higher chart placing, but The Cars' signature tune in the UK will always be "Drive" - no one who was alive during the Live Aid era could ever forget the heart-wrenching sight of the people dying in Ethiopia coming up on the video wall while this song was playing. David Bowie was so moved by this sight that he actually agreed to obliterate one of his songs from his Live Aid performance in order to make sure that "Drive" was included. Talk about coincidences - they were called The Cars, their biggest hit was "Drive", and, for once, it was not intended as a marketing ploy!
- Dave, Cardiff, Wales