The Cars - Drive

"Drive" is one of the most famous and emotionally profound songs of the American rock band The Cars. It was released on July 23, 1984 as the third single from their fifth studio album, Heartbeat City.

The history of creation and the meaning of the song:

Authorship and vocals: The song was written by the band's frontman and main songwriter, Rick Okasek. However, the lead vocals were performed by bass guitarist Benjamin Orr. Orr's performance, filled with tenderness and melancholy, gave the song a special sincerity and depth.

Lyrics: "Drive" is a song full of questions and worries. The lyrical hero addresses a man (probably a lover) whose life, in his opinion, is going downhill. He asks her a series of questions: "Who will pick you up when you fall?", "Who will tell you when it's too late?", and in the chorus asks the main question: "Who will take you home today?" This question is metaphorical and means: Who will be there for you when you need help and support?

Sound: Musically, "Drive" was different from the typical energetic sound of The Cars. It was a slow, atmospheric synth-pop ballad. It is built on simple chords, a soft synthesizer background and subtle guitar parts, creating a feeling of thoughtfulness and sadness.

International success:

Music video: The music video for the song was directed by famous actor Timothy Hutton. The main female role in it was played by 19-year-old Czechoslovak model Paulina Porizkova, who later became the wife of Rick Okasek. The video showed the tense relationship between the characters, which further emphasized the emotional intensity of the song.

Live Aid: The song gained worldwide fame in July 1985 when it was used as the soundtrack to a video about famine in Ethiopia during a Live Aid charity concert. This event gave the song a new, deeper humanitarian meaning and made it an anthem of hope and compassion for millions of people around the world.

Commercial success: "Drive" became The Cars' biggest hit in the United States, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became successful in other countries, reaching the top 5 in the UK.

"Drive" remains one of the most touching songs of the 80s and a symbol not only of the musical talent of The Cars, but also of the power of music that can unite people for charity.