Drive Back

Album: Zuma (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Whatever gets you through the night" is the same opening line as the opening line of John Lennon's "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night," which had been released as a single a year earlier. The song's second line is also very similar to Lennon's, with Young singing "That's all right with me" versus Lennon's "It's all right."
  • "Drive Back" is a breakup song with the requisite sorrow, but also with a distinct angry streak. In the chorus Young sings balefully to an unnamed woman:

    Drive back to your old town
    I wanna wake up with no one around
    Drive back to your old town


    Perhaps the most poetically interesting line of the song is:

    If somebody
    Is haunting your mind
    Look in my eyes
    Let me hide you
  • The song has piano, but it's easy to miss it beneath the overpowering guitar.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.