Drinking & Driving

Jhené Aiko's song 'Drinking & Driving' delves into the depths of emotional turmoil and the desperate search for connection and meaning. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is grappling with loneliness and a sense of disconnection from reality. The opening lines, 'Man the view was so nice from here / Dancing on the edge with you, but I am not scared with you,' suggest a fleeting moment of peace and safety found in the company of another person. This companionship seems to be the only thing that makes the protagonist feel real and alive.

The chorus, with its repeated plea for anything to 'feel alive,' underscores the protagonist's desperation. The use of substances like alcohol and weed is a metaphor for the lengths to which they are willing to go to escape their pain and feel something genuine. The line 'I'm running from shadows / I'm hoping to crash' is particularly poignant, indicating a reckless abandon and a desire to confront their pain head-on, even if it means self-destruction.

Aiko's lyrics also touch on themes of existential dread and the search for purpose. The questions 'Is there life after death / Or should I hold my breath' reflect a deep uncertainty about the future and what lies beyond the present moment. The song's closing lines, 'Will you be the one keeping me alive,' highlight the protagonist's reliance on another person for their sense of worth and existence. This dependency is both a cry for help and a testament to the human need for connection and love, even in the darkest of times.