Drive

Oh Wonder's song 'Drive' captures the emotional turmoil of a relationship that has become too painful to sustain. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone driving away from the chaos and heartbreak caused by their partner. The opening lines, 'Sat back with the window down / Eighty an hour and the radio loud,' set the scene for a physical and emotional escape. The protagonist is trying to drown out their thoughts with loud music, but the repetitive nature of the songs mirrors the repetitive cycle of hurt in their relationship.

The chorus, 'Loving you, loving you is too hard / All I do, all I do’s not enough,' reveals the core struggle. Despite their efforts, the protagonist feels that their love is unreciprocated and only leads to more pain. The metaphor of a 'hurricane' sent by the partner symbolizes the overwhelming and destructive nature of the relationship. The promise to be there for the partner is overshadowed by the realization that staying only leads to more suffering.

The song also touches on themes of betrayal and disillusionment. Lines like 'Count stacks of the routine lies / Funny how easy you could see my blindside' highlight the deceit and manipulation that have eroded trust. The protagonist acknowledges that the relationship 'ended long ago,' yet they are still entangled in its emotional aftermath. The repeated plea, 'please just let me go,' underscores the desire for freedom and healing. 'Drive' is a poignant exploration of the difficulty of letting go and the necessity of self-preservation in the face of a toxic relationship.