Chris August - Drive-In Movie Lyrics
Lyrics
I remember making mix tapes
Yeah, those were the days
Now everyone just streams my songs
What happened to the Yellow Pages?
I guess everything changes
One minute here and then it's
Gone, gone, gone, gone
Like a drive-in movie
And every other used to be
Everything fades away
Everything fades away
It's cool for a moment
It's summer, then it's snowing
'Cause everything fades away
But You're here to stay
I've fallen in and out of fashion
Yeah, I'm still laughing
At what I wore to senior prom
So much temporary stuff
But faith, hope and love
These three things are never
Gone, gone, gone, gone
Like a drive-in movie
And every other used to be
Everything fades away
Everything fades away
It's cool for a moment
It's summer, then it's snowing
'Cause everything fades away
But You're here to stay
From age to age
You are the same
Yesterday and tomorrow
Your love never fades
Like a drive-in movie
Like every other used to be
Everything fades away
Everything fades away
It's cool for a moment
It's summer, then it's snowing
'Cause everything fades
But You're here to stay
You're here to stay
Everything fades away
Everything fades away
Video
Drive-in movies
Meaning & Inspiration
Chris August’s "Drive-In Movie," released on April 7, 2015, as part of his album *The Maker*, opens a poignant reflection on the relentless march of time and the impermanence of earthly things, ultimately pointing to an unchanging divine constant. The song immediately captures our attention by acknowledging the cultural shifts we all experience, moving from personal nostalgia for "mix tapes" and "Yellow Pages" to the collective observation that "everyone just streams my songs." This isn't a complaint about progress, but rather an astute recognition of how quickly what was once current becomes obsolete. It sets the stage for a deeper contemplation on the fleeting nature of trends, technologies, and even personal experiences, reminding us that one minute something is vibrant and present, and the next it’s simply "gone."
The central metaphor of a "drive-in movie" beautifully encapsulates this theme of ephemerality. A drive-in movie, once a quintessential experience, now largely exists as a nostalgic memory, a "used to be." August uses this image to illustrate how everything around us "fades away"—be it the excitement of a new fad, the warmth of a summer day that quickly gives way to snow, or any other temporary joy or sorrow. This sentiment resonates deeply with the scriptural truth found in James 4:14, which reminds us that our lives are but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes, or Psalm 102:26-27, where the heavens and earth themselves are described as wearing out like garments, only God remaining the same. The song gently prompts us to recognize the temporary nature of our physical world and the experiences within it.
As the song progresses, August makes the message even more personal, recounting how he has "fallen in and out of fashion" and can even laugh at his senior prom attire. These relatable anecdotes highlight how our personal styles, preferences, and even what we deem significant at one point, are all subject to change and eventual obsolescence. Yet, amidst this ever-shifting landscape, he introduces a powerful counterpoint: "faith, hope and love." These aren't temporary embellishments; they are foundational pillars that "are never gone." This segment beautifully echoes 1 Corinthians 13:13, which declares, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." By anchoring his reflections in these eternal virtues, August shifts the focus from what perishes to what endures, inviting us to invest in what truly lasts.
The bridge of "Drive-In Movie" delivers the song’s most profound theological statement, offering an unwavering declaration of God’s immutable character: "From age to age, You are the same. Yesterday and tomorrow, Your love never fades." This powerful truth stands in stark contrast to every fading earthly thing mentioned previously. It’s a direct affirmation of biblical passages like Hebrews 13:8, which states, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," and Malachi 3:6, where God declares, "For I the Lord do not change." This part of the song serves as an anchor, assuring us that while everything around us is subject to decay and change, God’s nature, His faithfulness, and His love are constant and eternal. He is the unchanging reference point in a world of constant flux.
The recurring chorus and final lines reinforce this ultimate message of hope and stability. Despite the pervasive reality that "everything fades away," the resounding truth is "But You’re here to stay." This isn't merely a comforting thought; it is a fundamental promise woven throughout Scripture. Matthew 24:35 proclaims, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." August’s "Drive-In Movie" serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder to lift our gaze from the fleeting attractions and disappointments of this world to the steadfast presence of our Creator. It encourages us to find our security and ultimate joy not in passing trends or temporary pleasures, but in the unwavering, eternal love of God, who remains steadfast through every season of change.