Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Drive My Car (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) Who would you allow, without hesitation, to drive your car? I don't have a car, but if I did, I think I'd be very careful about who drives it. I'm not a driver, but I imagine it's hard to get behind the wheel of someone else's car and get the seat right and the mirrors right and get familiar with all the thingamabobs on the dashboard. 

 

2) When you're riding in the backseat, do you use your seatbelt? Usually.

 

3) In this song, a young girl tells her boyfriend she wants to be a movie star. What were your aspirations when you were in your late teens/early 20's? Did you realize them? I wanted to be self-sufficient. I wanted to be a writer (although at the time I wasn't thinking of advertising). So yes, I realized them.

 
4) The song was reportedly inspired in part by the relationship between popular British singer Cilla Black and her future husband. Cilla wanted him on the record label's payroll, so he became her road manager and driver. Have you ever worked for, or with, someone with whom you were romantically involved? Yes. I used to always advise against it because my experiences weren't great. But I compare my romantic history to that of my oldest friend. She met her husband in a martial arts class, and they divorced. She met her long-time boyfriend through their sons, who were classmates, and they eventually broke up. She got involved with her most recent lover after they met on a dating app. Let's just say there have been tears. So I don't think it matters how you meet your partner. All relationships all fraught with risk.

 

5) Although this Beatles song is credited to Lennon-McCartney, it was written mostly by Paul. He recalls showing up at John Lennon's house with the tune ready to go, and lyrics they both agreed were "crap." John gave Paul the car theme, and he took it from there. When has someone recently helped you out of a jam? At the card shop, my manager helped me find something under the register. It seems every time I go in, someone has rearranged the supplies down there and I often find myself staring at but not really seeing what I'm looking for.

 

6) Paul also handles the lead vocals. When you hear a Beatles record, can you tell which band member is singing lead? Of course.

7) When it was first released, this record got a lot of attention for the intricate guitar work by Paul and George Harrison. It's got a lot of percussion on it, too, including cowbell and tambourine. Have you ever played either cowbell or tambourine? (Do you think it sounds like fun?) No. But Davy Jones of The Monkees always made the tambourine look like so cool.

 

8) Lava lamps were already popular in England but they weren't introduced to the United States until 1965. Today Walmart carries more than 20 different lava lamps. Have you ever owned one? I remember I had a little one on a keyring that I attached to my purse (the height of junior high cool).

 
9) Random question: Do you have a recurring dream? I have the same dream when I'm stressed. I get up, get off the train, and after the train doors close behind me I realize I left my purse on the seat. My wallet and my phone are going on to the next stop without me. I feel so helpless. I hate that dream.