TobyMac - Drivin' Me Lyrics
Lyrics
I missed the mark play it off like a rim shot
Put the pedal to the metal in a gridlock
Went up an off ramp on the 405
But it made me feel so alive
I would never call me a together guy
I would never say I ain’t ever lie
But I’ma make it right by the end of the night
Cuz me and God, we stay kinda tight
Whoa, Whoa
Don’t matter if it’s Timbuktu
Whoa, Whoa
I’m rollin with you
From the dawn and oh the morning, Lord you’re drivin’ me
When I’m dreaming in the evening, keep on drivin’ me
Every twist, every turn, that this crazy world brings
From the dawn and oh the morning, sun or storming, keep on drivin’ me
Drivin’ me, drivin’ me, yeah
So keep on drivin’ me, drivin’ me, yeah
Just fake it till you make it that’s what my Daddy said
But he never factored in such a hard head
Ask anybody in the music biz
I be driving people crazy with my drivenness
But You’re opening my eyes to a better way
Two steps, cross em up, take em in to pain
Look em in the eyes and throw the lob
And let the big man go and finish the job
Whoa, Whoa
West side to Kalamazoo
Whoa, Whoa
I’m still rolling with you
This open road has opened up a new heart
Lovin every minute of this fresh start
I don’t ever want to put this thing in park
My life’s in Your hands
You’ve got the wheel
Navigate the way this slow reveal
And keep on, keep on, keep on drivin’ me
Video
TobyMac - Drivin' Me (2016 Day 1 Rough Mix/Audio)
Meaning & Inspiration
TobyMac’s "Drivin’ Me," released on May 8, 2020, as the 2016 Day 1 Rough Mix/Audio, offers a raw and candid glimpse into the artist’s spiritual journey, emphasizing the profound and continuous guidance of God amidst life’s imperfections. Far from a polished declaration of unwavering faith, the song is a humble confession of human frailty and a testament to divine faithfulness. It’s a rhythmic narrative of surrendering the steering wheel of life to a higher power, recognizing that true direction comes not from self-reliance but from divine leading.
The heart of "Drivin’ Me" lies in its transparent admission of personal shortcomings, a theme deeply rooted in biblical understanding of humanity. TobyMac opens by acknowledging his tendency to "miss the mark" – a powerful echo of the scriptural truth in Romans 3:23, which states that all have fallen short of God’s glory. He confesses to moments of seeking his own path, driving down metaphorical "off ramps on the 405" that offer a fleeting sense of vitality, yet ultimately lead away from true purpose. This self-assessment continues with an honest declaration: he wouldn't call himself a "together guy" and freely admits to having lied. Such humility is refreshing, drawing parallels to 1 John 1:8, reminding us that denying our sin is self-deception. Yet, despite these admissions, there's an immediate pivot towards grace, a confidence in his ongoing relationship with God, assuring listeners that he aims to "make it right," mirroring Proverbs 28:13 where confession leads to mercy. This sets the stage for the song's central message: God's presence is constant, driving him "from the dawn and oh the morning" through every "twist, every turn," a beautiful reflection of Psalm 121:7-8, which promises the Lord will watch over our coming and going.
The narrative deepens as TobyMac contrasts worldly advice with divine wisdom. The phrase "fake it till you make it," a common mantra, is juxtaposed with the reality of a "hard head," acknowledging his own stubbornness—a common human trait often referenced in Scripture, such as Jeremiah 17:9, describing the deceitfulness of the human heart. He openly shares how his own "drivenness" can be overwhelming, perhaps even "driving people crazy" in the demanding music industry. This self-awareness serves to highlight the crucial shift in perspective: God is "opening [his] eyes to a better way." The vivid basketball analogy that follows — "Two steps, cross em up, take em in to pain / Look em in the eyes and throw the lob / And let the big man go and finish the job" — is a profound act of spiritual surrender. It illustrates letting go of personal effort and ambition, instead allowing God, "the big man," to take control and complete the work. This imagery perfectly encapsulates Philippians 1:6, assuring us that God, who began a good work, will carry it on to completion, and John 15:5, which teaches that apart from Him, we can do nothing.
Ultimately, "Drivin’ Me" culminates in an inspiring declaration of complete trust and renewed purpose. The journey through life, symbolized as an "open road," has led to "a new heart," resonating with Ezekiel 36:26 where God promises to replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh. This fresh start is something he never wants to "put... in park," expressing an earnest desire for continuous spiritual momentum. The profound surrender is articulated plainly: "My life’s in Your hands / You’ve got the wheel." This is a complete handover, a trust in God’s navigation through the "slow reveal" of life’s path, acknowledging that God’s timing and plan unfold gradually. This echoes Proverbs 3:5-6, encouraging us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts, lean not on our own understanding, and He will make our paths straight. TobyMac’s earnest plea to "keep on, keep on, keep on drivin’ me" is not a passive request, but an active embrace of a life guided by divine will, a continuous invitation for God to lead every step, every decision, every breath, regardless of where the road may lead, from "West side to Kalamazoo." It’s a powerful anthem for anyone seeking to live a life fully aligned with the One who truly holds the map.