Drive | 5ive Songs

1. Olivia Rodrigo, “Drivers License”

🎵 “driver’s license” • 🏷 Geffen • 🗓 2021

🎙Olivia Rodrigo totally compels on her no. 1 single, 🎵 “drivers license”. “Drivers license” was written by Rodrigo and 🎼 ✍ Daniel Nigro, who also produces. While Olivia should totally be stoked here – she gets her driver’s license after all – she’s bummed. “Today I drove through the suburbs / Crying ‘cause you weren’t around.” Ugh.  Of course, the guy she desired to be with is with someone else, and that person makes her totally insecure – I feel that.  On the third verse, she continues her lament, expressing how “All of my friends are tired / Of hearing how much I miss you.”

Rodrigo sums up her feelings superbly on the chorus, asserting at the end, “I guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me / ‘Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street.”  She also gets totally in her feelings on the bridge, dropping the bomb: “Can’t drive past the places we used to go to / ‘Cause I still fuckin’ love you, babe.” “Drivers License” is a bop thanks to the songwriting, solid production and of course, an emotional, strong vocal performance, particularly on the chorus and bridge.

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2. Rich Brian, “Drive Safe”

💿 The Sailor • 🏷 88rising/ 12Tone Music • 📅 2019

In 2019, 🎙 Rich Brian took a step forward artistically on his alluring, eclectic sophomore album, 💿 The Sailor.  The song at hand, 🎵 “Drive Safe,” marks one of the better moments from The Sailor. “Drive Safe” is beautiful, period.  Brian is clearly in reflective mode with memories running abundantly in his mind.  “Thank you for the memories, I don’t know what it means,” he sings, continuing, “It’s broken, don’t know how to fix it, I need a minute.” He’s definitely in his feels regarding the universal four-letter word, LOVE.  His singing vocals are quite lovely, particularly on the chorus.

“All these thoughts I have in my head
Got me blinded from the sunset
I'm tryin’ hard to stop the rain
‘Cause smilin’ doesn't feel the same
I just called to tell you ‘Drive safe’
Will I see you in the mornin’?
‘Cause I just wanna feel your touch
'Cause I don’t think I had enough.”

The deepness and richness of his voice continues to impress. Honestly, the song itself is pretty impressive, showing more range from this young star.

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3. Ariana Grande, “test drive”

💿 Positions (Deluxe) • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2021

🏆 Grammy-winning pop superstar 🎙 Ariana Grande keeps things short but sweet (and sensual) on 🎵 “test drive.” “Test drive” appears exclusively on 💿Positions (Deluxe). Like much of Positions, the sex is pronounced – lit to the nth degree. Just think about the number of instances cars have been used as sexual metaphors and you’ve got the modus operandi of “test drive” down pat.

On the chorus, Grande tells her man, “No, I don’t feel the need to test drive nothin’” because “Baby, I’m sold on you.” On the second verse, she asserts, “I drop the top on that body / That’s candy paint on my body.” Da-yum!

4. Joji, “Test Drive”

💿 BALLADS 1 • 🏷 88rising / 12Tone Music • 📅 2018

“What do you want, babe? / I don’t like when you taunt me / You’ve been calling the wrong name / I say who do you want babe?” In the context of, 💿 BALLADS 1, the debut album by 🎙 Joji, 🎵 “Test Drive” is another ballad, which is where his ‘bread is buttered.’ Even though the tempo is moderately slow, “Test Drive” is rhythmic, featuring alluring production work by 🎛RL Grime.

Vocally, he sounds expressive, never daring to push his voice – he isn’t about those gospel histrionics or never-ending vocal runs after all.  What he does offer is a distinct sound, and some colorful falsetto.  Furthermore, he offers relatable subject matter – love, sex, and flames that have extinguished.

5. Rihanna, “Shut Up and Drive”

💿 Good Girl Gone Bad • 🏷 Def Jam • 🗓 2007

Cars and car metaphors are a great way to deliver S-E-X in pop music.  🎙 Rihanna definitely had a gem 💎 on her hands in 2007 with 🎵 “Shut Up and Drive” (💿 Good Girl Gone Bad). “Shut Up and Drive” was one of many hits on one the Barbadian singer’s best and most important albums.

Honestly, it doesn’t take long to catch Rihanna’s drift. How about the first line: “I’ve been lookin’ for a driver who is qualified / So, if you think that you’re the one, step into my ride.” A driver, huh? Step into her ride, huh? Move on to the pre-chorus, and she asserts, “My engine’s ready to explode, explode, explode / Start me up and watch me go, go, go, go.” Hmm – she must’ve really revved up… The second verse, as well as the bridge keeps the innuendo going strong, with the chorus being the centerpiece:

“Get you where you wanna go, if you know what I mean
Got a ride that’s smoother than a limousine
Can you handle the curves? Can you run all the lights?
If you can, baby boy, then we can go all night
‘Cause I’m 0 to 60 in three point five
Baby, you got the keys
Now shut up and drive (Drive, drive, drive)
Shut up and drive (Drive, drive, drive).” 

What more can you say but, VROOM, VROOM?

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