Driving Music
Driving back and forth to Milwaukee can get pretty boring. Usually in the morning I listen to a local radio show, but once I get over that Wisconsin border, I’ve got to start channel hopping. As much as I complain about the drive, I do enjoy it in a way. It gives me time to myself, time when I can’t be working or I don’t have to worry about if I’m spending enough time with Ben or worry about watching over him. It gives me a chance to think about my life, where I’m at, to digest everything that’s currently happening to me. There are a lot of thoughts that go through my mind, especially when there’s traffic or those close calls when people do stupid things on the road that keep me on my toes. There are also some other times when I’m just so tired driving that I’m slapping myself in the face to keep awake. Times like that I think about one of my favorite driving CD’s, the Barenaked Ladies’ Maroon. My favorite track on the CD is called “Tonight is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel”. It’s a pretty morbid song, especially when you’re driving, but I like the notion behind it.
Tonight is The Night I Fell Asleep at The Wheel Driving home to be with you
The highways dividing, the citys in view
As usual, Im almost on time
Youre the last thing thats on my mind
I wish I could tell you the way that I feel
But tonight is the night I fell asleep at the wheelNo commotion, no screaming brakes
Most of its over before I awake
From the ceiling, my coffee cup drips
While out my window, the horizon does flips
The worst part was hitting the ground -
Not the feeling so much as the sound
Cant help but wonder if all this is real
Cause tonight is the night I fell asleep at the wheelRubberneck traffic and passersby
And slow motion walter the fire engine guy
Stand around with their mouths open wide
I heard some idiot ask if someones inside
With the jaws of life they tried and they tried
Nobody here can know how I feel
Cause tonight is the night I fell asleep at the wheelI guess its over now
Cause Ive never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
I guess its over now
Cause Ive never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
Never seen so much, never seen so much
So much bloodIn all the confusion, theres something serene
Im just a posthumous part of the scene
Now Im floating above looking in
As the radio blares and wheels spin
I can see my face slump with a grin
And you…youre the last thing on my mind
Youre the last thing on my mind
Youre the last thing on my mind
Youre the last thing on my mind
I love the song because the first time I heard it, I laughed when he first says, “As usual I’m almost on time, you’re the last thing that’s on my mind…” I had thought that the singer had so many other thoughts in his head that his love was the last thing on his mind. But the lyrics were literal - his love was the very last thing on his mind before he died. Morbid, but beautiful at the same time…
OK, it’s time for me to get some sleep…I’ve gotta drive to Milwaukee tomorrow!
Hi–this song is just as you say, kind of morbid but beautiful, too. If you begin slapping your face to stay awake…perhaps really unintelligent talk radio would entertain you. I’ve found it helps me on those drives where you cannot stop and need to be awake.
Plus, your crappy webcam picture is still beautiful. the lighting on your face is ethereal and the soft focus adds a nice touch. Looks as if you are at least half angelic. Ben is a little cutie, too.