Drive
by Hope

Album: Hope (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song from New York born and Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Hope's self-titled debut album tackles the tribulations of a friend struggling through an unhealthy relationship. She explained the tune in an interview with Artist Direct: "The sentiment behind it involves a relationship where the girl basically feels like she's in the passenger seat of life and she's not really in control. She doesn't have the feeling of freedom to do what she wants. It's an encouraging song. It has a direct message that's positive to young girls and anyone who's going through that feeling. It encourages them to take the wheel and guide their lives to where they want to be."
  • Hope discussed her songwriting process with Artist Direct: "For me, the writing process has been very driven by the music. It usually starts with the guitar or the piano. I could sit in a chord progression for 15 minutes to half an hour, just feel it out and listen to what it's telling me. Then I'll continue to write lyrics and melodies and add all of the other instruments. I take my time because music is really special to me. I never rush it. The music usually tells me what the song is."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.