The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Sometimes I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear
And I, I can't help but ask myself
How much I let the fear take the wheel and steer?
It's driven me before
And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal
But lately, I'm beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes, yeah
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there
So if I decide to waiver my
Chance to be one of the hive
Will I choose water over wine
And hold my own and drive? Oh
It's driven me before
And it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around
But lately, I'm beginning to find that when I drive myself
My light is found
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes, yeah
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there
Would you choose water over wine
And hold the wheel and drive?
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes, yeah
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there
And I, I can't help but ask myself
How much I let the fear take the wheel and steer?
It's driven me before
And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal
But lately, I'm beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes, yeah
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there
So if I decide to waiver my
Chance to be one of the hive
Will I choose water over wine
And hold my own and drive? Oh
It's driven me before
And it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around
But lately, I'm beginning to find that when I drive myself
My light is found
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes, yeah
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there
Would you choose water over wine
And hold the wheel and drive?
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
With open arms and open eyes, yeah
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there
I'll be there
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I think this song is an expression of his dissatisfaction with the way he lives. He is tired of letting society, culture or "the hive" drive his life. Now, he's taking the wheel into his own hands. Even if it means not being accepted by the hive or sacrificing a comfortable lifestyle, he wants to be the one in control of his life.
@ringo In a way sure, but ultimately it's about a thing all conscious beings must do which is remain conscious. consciousness is a gift that even those enlightened sometimes have to snap themselves back into. Water is life, wine is the drink of gods wrath in the bible (wine of his wrath). A great metaphor because wine is good in moderation like fear, it CAN be good if we need it for our survival but we don't need for anything besides that. The statement about the hive is saying that most of the populations life is shaped by fear that's why they can't grow beyond a certain point and that's why so many people die and get mislead by evil. It's fear. That is the true enemy of man.
I did a much better summary of this on page two somewhere read it and give it a like if you want to go deeper into the true meaning of this song elaborated. As you ringo have missed the mark by a fair bit and failed to connect some key insights that fear now brings to us with modern scientific knowledge.
I think the song in general deals with the choice of taking control of your own life and not by authority. Whether or not this has to do with a religious authority, which is possible with the wine vs water scenario (a common reference to Jesus' blood). But irregardless the songs message still speaks to its message.
The whole metaphor of driving completely illustrates this in such an insightful way. Cars are often viewed as this controlling device that is strong and fast enough to run you over. It is constantly mentioned whether the person should take control of their life through parts like "Take the wheel and steer", "I should be the one behind the wheel" etc.
It also relates to an authority "Would you kill the Queen to crush the hive?". The queen is the symbol of authority, as queen bees are the one in power in their hive. It later goes on to have that argument of if the narrator be the one in control or should it be authority? He brings up that internal debate that its easier for other people to follow the authority and its more accepted in society, but it helps you more if you follow your own path. "And it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around. But lately I am beginning to find that when I drive myself my light is found". Even at the end there's that questioning of what's the better decision and what move would others take.
I have felt this too quite often, which is why this song really fascinates me. Its not an easy decision and it really does happen in real life.
Sounds like an affirmation to live your life on your own terms and not be driven by fear.
dude, i tots agree
Nice short and accurate.
he's lived his life the way society has dictated through fear. Now he's seen that, by taking his life into his own hands, he can open his mind to what he needs to be. Even if it means sacrificing the benefits of being one of the 'hive'.
Be your own person. Forget what everyone else is doing. Be happy with yourself!
This is the first song I ever heard by Incubus, and I love it and the message. It's saying that he doesn't need religion, because he doesn't feed into the fear. "It's driven me before, and it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal. But lately I'm beginning to find that I, should be the one behind the wheel." He's saying that you need to be in control of your own life, and you can't let religion drive your life. We're in control.
"Would you choose water over wine?" is one of the best lines of the whole song. It sums the whole thing up, asking if you'd choose ordinary over "extraordinary." Wonderful, wonderful song.
he's going to be there for himself and no one else. he's going to turn fear into a positive force that drives him to take control ("hold the wheel and drive") of his own life. i'm really into alternative rock lyrics. to me, it's poetry. i love to analyze them. i have to say this song has one of the best lyrics i've ever read. it stands on its own without the music.
This song is pretty simple to explain what Brandon is trying to say. The whole song is about fear, how it can control people by changing their thoughts and actions, just like alcohol can.
"Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear And I can't help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear Take the wheel and steer"
This verse states how fear is usually created by the unknown and what we are unsure of. It also states how he clearly has been experiencing this for awhile and he wonders how long it will be before he can overcome this and take control.
"It's driven me before and seems to have a vague Haunting mass appeal But lately I'm beginning to find that I Should be the one behind the wheel"
The pre-chorus here explains how fear (even though not everyone clearly expresses it) affects everybody in some way, and he is realizing that it is time that he makes choices and opinions the way he actually wants to, rather than his fear influencing his actions.
"Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there with open arms and open eyes yea"
The chorus explains itself; Be ready for whatever comes your way and accept what happens. View things and make your actions/opinions based on a clear mind set and what you actually believe, rather than being controlled by fear.
wow.
He can't rely on anyone else, it's time for him to control his life and he knows it.