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About The Song
Roy Orbison’s “I Drove All Night” is a poignant ballad released in 1992, a year after the legendary singer-songwriter’s passing. The song, penned by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, paints a vivid picture of a man consumed by love and longing.
The lyrics narrate the tale of a desperate lover who drives tirelessly through the night to reach his beloved. The journey, filled with both physical exhaustion and emotional turmoil, symbolizes the lengths one will go to for true love. Orbison’s distinctive voice, with its rich, emotive quality, captures the intensity of the narrator’s feelings.
The song’s production, overseen by Jeff Lynne, complements Orbison’s vocals perfectly. The arrangement features a haunting melody, lush strings, and a driving rhythm that propels the narrative forward. Orbison’s rendition of the song is marked by his signature vibrato, which adds a layer of depth and emotion to the lyrics.
The song’s bridge, where Orbison sings, “I drove all night, just to be with you/I’m so tired, I’m so blue/But I’m here, I’m here for you,” is particularly poignant. It conveys the narrator’s unwavering devotion and the sacrifices he is willing to make for his love.
“I Drove All Night” became a posthumous hit, showcasing Orbison’s enduring talent and the timeless appeal of his music. The song’s success solidified Orbison’s legacy as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Its haunting melody, emotive lyrics, and Orbison’s powerful performance continue to resonate with listeners today.
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
I get up in the evening
And I ain’t got nothing to say
I come home in the morning
I go to bed feeling the same way
I ain’t nothing but tired
Man, I’m just tired and bored with myself
Hey there baby, I could use just a little help
You can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Message keeps getting clearer
Radio’s on and I’m moving ’round the place
I check my look in the mirror
I wanna change my clothes, my hair, my face
Man, I ain’t getting nowhere
I’m just living in a dump like this
There’s something happening somewhere
Baby, I just know that there is
You can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
You sit around getting older
There’s a joke here somewhere and it’s on me
I’ll shake this world off my shoulders
Come on, baby, the laugh’s on me
Stay on the streets of this town
And they’ll be carving you up all right
They say you gotta stay hungry
Hey, baby, I’m just about starving tonight
I’m dying for some action
I’m sick of sitting ’round here trying to write this book
I need a love reaction
Come on now, baby, gimme just one look
You can’t start a fire
Sitting ’round crying over a broken heart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
You can’t start a fire
Worrying about your little world falling apart
This gun’s for hire
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Even if we’re just dancing in the dark
Hey, baby