"Drive" - R.E.M. song discussion, poll

Overrated song on an even more overrated album. And I consider REM's first 4 albums to be among the best albums of the 80s.

 

Boring album opener, ok song, but one of the weaker on the album

 

The OP's choice of words for the 3rd option in his poll is unfortunate and odd, I wouldn't have used the term "grandiose", since part of one definition for that word is "pretentious" which irredeemably casts that meaning in a negative light.

 

That's quite a strong accusation about REM's music!

I would assume that you've never really listened to Chronic Town, Murmur, Reckoning, Fables Of The Reconstruction, Lifes Rich Pageant, Document, and Green enough to distinguish between the songs.

I also assume you're just using hyperbole to make a point (perhaps mainly about their latter albums) but I just had to call your bluff.

 

The arrangement, structure and lyrics are very folk influenced. Especially the lyrics are pure folk based.
I agree that just using an acoustic guitar does not make it folk influenced but that is not the case here. Heck even Wikipedia that I usually don't rely on for song descriptions calls the song "folk rock"....and they got it right.

 

I agree with you. FGP is as quirky as heck and what drew me to REM. Like I said before, Drive is a nice sounding folk type song but challenging it aint.
FGP may be my favorite as well.

 

It sounds like you're an REM fan and have never heard their core 5 original IRS albums + the 1st EP. You owe it to yourself to check those out, as they are another REM world unto themselves. I'll liken it to never having heard Bowie's run between Hunky Dory and Scary Monsters and only knowing him from Let's Dance onwards. Do yourself a favor and grab the records between Chronic Town and Document. I think you'll be pleased. Carry on.

 

Poor choice for a single, poor choice for an album opener. I laughed when I first heard this track, and have never come to like it since.

 

Thread craps are popular in these parts.

 

Don't like it very much. Find the River was THE song from that record.

 

A heavy and emotional song, imo. I played it a lot when I was suffering from a depression years ago. Without a doubt one of their best songs, if not the best.

 

I like the song, but it was a very strange choice to be the first single from the album especially when they had Man on the Moon, Everybody Hurts and The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight to choose from.

 

I was disappointed with this song when the album came out -- but something about the "Ollie, ollie..." part finally hooked me and now I look forward to it. I see it as the perfect opener to one of my favorite albums.

 

I like both

 

"Drive" is great song indeed and it is one of their best. Actually as Im now typing this, I have to state it as following:
It is my favorite song from them, but of course there are plenty more greats in their catalogue.
You know as it goes with these great bands, that you sometimes might change the favorites order from time to time.
I really like the sound and voice of Stipe on "Drive", as I was testing my new setup with new speakers, "Drive" delivered me some great moments.

 

Great album opener, appropriate choice of first single to announce "Automatic for the People". I love the strings. The video was kind of strange.

I remember "Everybody Hurts" as being the "hit" off of "Automatic", but looking at the chart info on Wikipedia, it looks like I'm wrong. "Drive" and "Man on the Moon" both did better on the Alternative and Mainstream Rock charts, and all three did about the same on the overall U.S. chart.

 

The thing is, I had this big thing about REM when I was a teenager, but then I sort of moved on. I would have happily bought all their stuff back in the day, but then I was a teenager and therefore, had no money.

I hope to buy them some day and give them a spin or two, though...

 

One of the few REM that I like; it has this fantastic atmosphere.

 

You will not be disappointed.

 

It used to not be one of my favorites but it has sure grown on me. Actually for a long time when I played the CD I would actually skip it (like another poster said, I wanted to get to Try Not To Breath). But at some point I was listening to Drive and that stinging electric guitar that enters about halfway into the song just grabbed me and wouldn't let go. It's been a favorite ever since.

 

REM and Talking Heads are the two groups I felt most 'let down' in my extended teenage years: I can't listen to anything beyond Lifes Rich Pageant and Remain In Light respectively, though Lord knows I tried. I'm sure things would have been different if I'd come to them later, rather than experiencing each album from first release.

While Drive certainly isn't one of the worst REM songs, it's still a long way from being a Shiny Happy People.

 

Hi, I thought it'd be a good idea to relaunch this discussion thread given the imminent reissue of Automatic for the People in a boxset commemorating its 25th anniversary (appearing next Friday) and that it may (or may not) increase people's awareness of the song. The entire album will enjoy greater exposure through the media, who knows maybe new young listeners will discover "Drive" and those of us who have enjoyed it through the years will listen with a different ear given the new remaster and audio mixing.

 

Probably rhe best song on an album I dont like very much.

 

I like the song and it was a good single. That said, there were plenty of even better songs, so at least it didn't fire the best shot first!
The 12" promo single with the remixed (fast) versions give it a new perspective. So I can say "Drive" has had a good life!