Song meaning of Have to Drive by Amanda Palmer (Ft. The Via Interficere Choir of Nashville)

The song "Have to Drive" by Amanda Palmer conveys a sense of desperation and a longing for escape from a suffocating existence. The chorus expresses the need to drive as a means to overcome the hardships and dissatisfaction with life. The reference to the deer in the chorus may symbolize vulnerability or fragility in the face of the harshness of the outside world.

Verse 1 portrays the artist's struggle with mornings, often associated with a renewed sense of despair and powerlessness. The jury in the artist's head represents internal conflict and self-doubt. The chorus adds a broader perspective, suggesting that driving is a natural response to life's difficulties and sleeplessness has become a way of life.

Verse 2 expands the narrative to include others, possibly reflecting a collective suffering or feeling of entrapment. The attempt to dig a decent grave for someone lying in the road implies a failed attempt to escape the burdens of existence and traditional societal expectations.

The bridge introduces a notion of a delicate balance and an alternative approach to dealing with life's challenges. There is a sense of survival and protection in the face of danger or threats. The chorus restates the importance of driving and the urgency to seek refuge.

The second part of the bridge emphasizes the desire to save others and distance them from the chaos and destructiveness of society. It portrays a determination to protect loved ones from the negative influences of the world.

Verse 3 returns to the individual's experience, highlighting the exhaustion and detachment that comes from witnessing and forgetting the traumas of life. The song concludes with an appointment to meet in an hour, suggesting that driving offers a temporary respite or escape from the burdens of existence.

Overall, "Have to Drive" conveys a message of seeking solace and liberation through the act of driving, representing the need to distance oneself from the struggles and pressures of everyday life. It also touches on the importance of protecting others and finding unity in shared experiences of hardship.