About The Song
Eddie Rabbit kicked off a string of five consecutive No. 1 hits with “Gone Too Far.” With the second single in that run, he also visited the top five of the pop chart for the first time.
Rabbitt was no stranger to crossover success before “Drivin’ My Life Away.” He’d made it to No. 13 on the Hot 100 with “Suspicions” one year earlier. But “Drivin’ My Life Away” launched his career into a higher gear, fusing elements of rockabilly, cosmopolitan country, and contemporary pop into an irresistible uptempo number that practically demands you to hit the gas, roll down the window, and crank it up to eleven.
It is exceedingly difficult to do pop music well, and it’s to Rabbitt’s credit that he makes it sound so effortless as he delivers rapid fire lyrics over a persistent beat. 42 years after its release, it’s not the least bit dated, even if can easily be dated to the early eighties, as it’s one of the most essential country crossover hits of its time.
This is the first of four top ten hits for him on the pop chart, and all of them topped the country charts as well. His next single is his first and only one to top the Hot 100.
Video
Lyrics
Well, the midnight headlight blind you on a rainy night
Steep grade up ahead, slow me down, makin’ no time
But I gotta keep rollin’
Those windshield wipers slappin’ out a tempo
Keepin’ perfect rhythm with the song on the radio
But I gotta keep rollin’
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a sunny day
Well, the truck stop cutie comin’ on to me
Tried to talk me into a ride, said I wouldn’t be sorry
But she was just a baby
Hey, waitress, pour me another cup of coffee
Pop it down, jack me up, shoot me out, flyin’ down the highway
Lookin’ for the mornin’
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a sunny day
Well, the midnight headlight blind you on a rainy night
Steep grade up ahead, slow me down, makin’ no time
But I gotta keep rollin’
Those windshield wipers slappin’ out a tempo
Keepin’ perfect rhythm with the song on the radio
But I gotta keep rollin’
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a sunny day
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a sunny day, yeah
Ooh, I’m drivin’ my life away
Lookin’ for a better way for me