Released: 1997
“Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” by Deftones is a compelling ride through the themes of escapism, liberation, and a deep yearning for freedom from the confines of the familiar. It’s a potent mix of the raw energy and emotional depth that characterizes much of Deftones’ work, delving into the desire to break free from constraints and find solace in the undefined and the unknown. It’s not just about the physical act of leaving, but about shedding the past and embracing a sense of belonging that’s not tied to a place, but to a feeling.
The opening line, “This town don’t feel mine,” immediately sets the tone of alienation and disconnection. It’s a universal sentiment, that moment of clarity when you realize your surroundings no longer represent who you are or aspire to be. The phrase “I’m fast to get away, far,” underlines the urgency and desperation in the need to escape, to find a space where the protagonist feels they truly belong. It’s a declaration of intent, not just to leave, but to distance oneself from everything that feels confining.
“I dressed you in her clothes” could signify a number of things, but it leans heavily into the idea of trying to recapture something lost by projecting it onto someone else. It’s a poignant depiction of the ways we try to hold onto the past or resurrect it through others, often as a coping mechanism for the things we can’t let go. The phrase “So drive me, far,” is a plea for companionship in this escape, suggesting that the journey away from the familiar is not just a solitary quest, but one that’s shared, making the act of leaving simultaneously an act of bonding.
The chorus, with its repeated lines “Far (away) I don’t care where, just far (away),” encapsulates the essence of the song—this overwhelming desire to be anywhere but here. It’s not about the destination, but about the liberation that comes with movement. The repetition of “I don’t care where, just far (away)” emphasizes a profound indifference to the destination, highlighting the sentiment that any place is better than where they currently are, as long as it signifies change and freedom.
What’s truly captivating about this song is its raw simplicity and honesty. It doesn’t shoehorn the listener into a detailed narrative but instead relies on a broad, relatable feeling of restlessness and the inherent human desire for change and new beginnings. The constant refrain of wanting to be “far (away)” speaks volumes of the human condition, our perpetual quest for something more, something other than our current state. It’s about breaking free from the invisible chains that hold us back, and finding solace in the undefined, the unknown, the limitless potential of “away.”
In sum, “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” by Deftones isn’t just a song; it’s an anthem for the wanderers, the dreamers, and anyone who’s ever felt the pull of the horizon. It delves into the desire to escape, not as a form of cowardice, but as an act of self-discovery and rebirth. With every emphatic “far (away),” Deftones encapsulates a fundamental aspect of the human experience—the unyielding pursuit of freedom and the indefinable sense of belonging that we all seek, somewhere beyond the familiar.
