Drive By (song)
"Drive By" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Train | ||||
from the album California 37 | ||||
Released | January 10, 2012 | |||
Recorded | July 2011 | |||
Studio | New York City (Integrated Studios) Venice, Los Angeles (Ruby Red Studios) | |||
Genre | Pop rock | |||
Length | 3:16 | |||
Label |
| |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Train singles chronology | ||||
|
"Drive By" is a song by American roots rock band Train from their sixth studio album, California 37. It was released in the United States as the album's lead single on January 10, 2012, three months before the release of California 37. The song was written by lead singer Pat Monahan and Norwegian songwriting duo Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, the same team responsible for Train's 2009 hit single "Hey, Soul Sister".[1]
"Drive By" peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's third (and final) top 10 hit in the US. It was awarded a double platinum certification by the RIAA on July 23, 2012, for more than 2 million sales in the US.[2] Internationally, the song became a top ten hit in 13 countries. Train performed the song on television series 90210 in the episode "Blood Is Thicker Than Mud", which aired on March 13, 2012.[3] Train also performed a parody entitled "Five By" with Elmo and Count von Count for an episode of Sesame Street.[4]
Background[]
Singer Pat Monahan said, "'Drive By' was about meeting my wife and quickly falling in love, and being really scared about that because I was like, Man, I am not sure if this is a good idea — that something like this would happen so quickly. Because I think generally when you're looking for something big you're not gonna find it, and when you're not looking for that thing it's gonna probably show up and get you. And so, 'Drive By' was all about realizing that I have to not worry about it and just let it be what it is."[5]
Monahan said the lyric, "Hefty bag to hold my love" was inspired by when he used to work at a restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania. He and his friends would sneak the owner's beer out of the fridge, hide it in trash bags in the dumpster, and then take it home and drink it when their shift was over. This made him associate Hefty bags with holding things that made him happy. When the song was released, Hefty sent him several boxes of garbage bags in gratitude for the shout-out. The "shy guy" in the lyrics came from his restaurant days, when he went to a party where he was scared to talk to anyone. A husband of his coworker, who was a very large but kind man, came up to him and called him "Shy guy."[5]
Composition[]
"Drive By" is a pop rock song. The instrumentation consists of "buoyant acoustic riffs and a hook-laden melody". Lead singer Pat Monahan sings in a characteristic "sing-talk vocal croon".[1]
The song is in the key of C# Minor, and the chord structure is based on the IV–I–V–vi chord progression.[6]
Critical reception[]
Billboard gave the song a positive review stating:
"Drive By" starts with a staccato guitar strum and a percussive thump that certainly recalls its predecessor, with a slight ethnic flavor that makes it recall a Bar Mitzvah reception. Frontman Pat Monahan semi-speaks the [verses] in tuneful, rap-like cadence, then turns to smooth pop singing for the choruses. The lyric, however, is a bit darker [...] Monahan pleads with enough joyful exuberance that she -- and we -- might just buy it.[7]
Commercial performance[]
The single has proved to be a worldwide success primarily in the band's home country where it has been certified double platinum and was the 19th most successful song on the Hot 100 chart.[8] In the UK, "Drive By" sold 502,700 copies and was the 23rd best selling single of 2012.[9] It reached number 6 in the UK, making it their highest-charting single there since "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" in 2001.
Music video[]
The music video was posted on YouTube on February 15, 2012, and was directed by Alan Ferguson.[10] In the video, Monahan portrays a character who reconciles with an old flame during a weekend trip to Wine Country, and features the other band members driving classic cars.[11]
Track listing[]
- Digital download
- "Drive By" – 3:18
- CD single[12]
- "Drive By [Song Edit]" – 3:21
- "To Be Loved" (Pat Monahan, David Hodges) – 3:41
Credits and personnel[]
- Recording
- Recorded at Integrated Studios, New York City and at Ruby Red Studios, Venice, Los Angeles
- Personnel
- Pat Monahan – songwriter, producer, vocals
- Espen Lind – songwriter, producer, engineer, additional guitars, bass, keyboards and backing vocals, programming
- Amund Bjørklund – songwriter, producer, programming
- Butch Walker – producer
- Mark Endert – mixing
- Francis Murray – engineer
- Jake Sinclair – engineer
- Jimmy Stafford – guitar
- Scott Underwood – drums
- Jerry Becker – keyboards
- Hector Maldonado – bass
Credits adapted from "Drive By" CD single liner notes.[13]
Charts[]
Weekly charts[] |
Year-end charts[]
|
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[69] | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
Austria (IFPI Austria)[70] | Gold | 15,000* |
Canada (Music Canada)[71] | 4× Platinum | 320,000* |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[72] | Gold | 15,000^ |
Germany (BVMI)[73] | Gold | 150,000^ |
Italy (FIMI)[74] | 2× Platinum | 60,000* |
Netherlands (NVPI)[75] | Platinum | 20,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[76] | Platinum | 15,000* |
Sweden (GLF)[77] | 3× Platinum | 120,000 |
United Kingdom (BPI)[79] | Platinum | 705,982[78] |
United States (RIAA)[80] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000 |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history[]
Country | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 10 January 2012[81] | Digital download | Columbia Records, Sony Music |
Germany | 23 March 2012[12] | CD single | |
United Kingdom | 16 April 2012[82] | Digital download |
See also[]
- List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2012
References[]
- ^ a b Zemler, Emily (6 April 2012). "Train Tries To Follow A Massive Hit - Again - on 'California 37'". Billboard. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - March 14, 2013". RIAA. Retrieved 2013-03-14.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (January 9, 2012). "Train to make musical stop on '90210' -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
- ^ SesameStreet (September 19, 2012). Sesame Street: Train - "Five By" (YouTube).
- ^ a b Harris, Kristin (April 30, 2015). "Train's Pat Monahan Explains Some Of Their Most Iconic Lyrics". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- ^ Train. "Train "Drive By" Sheet Music - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2013-09-18.
- ^ "Track Review: Train, 'Drive By'". Billboard. billboard.com/.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songs : Jun 30, 2013 - (Chart position)". Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ "The Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles of 2012 revealed!". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
- ^ TrainVEVO (February 15, 2012). Train - Drive By (YouTube).
- ^ Train - Drive By (Official Music Video), retrieved 2019-12-02
- ^ a b "Train - Drive By" (in German). Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ Drive By (liner notes). Train. Columbia Records, Sony Music. 2012. 88691975282.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ "Train – Drive By". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Train – Drive By" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Train – Drive By" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Train – Drive By" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201217 into search.
- ^ "Train – Drive By". Tracklisten.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "Train: Drive By" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
- ^ "Train – Drive By" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Train – Drive By" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ "Airplay Charts Deutschland – Woche 14/2012". German Charts. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
- ^ "Chart Track: Week 30, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Train – Drive By". Top Digital Download.
- ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Train". The Official Lebanese Top 20. December 30, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ "Luxembourg Digital Songs - April 6, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 2012" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Train – Drive By" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Train – Drive By". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Train – Drive By". VG-lista.
- ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201214 into search.
- ^ "SloTop50: Slovenian official singles weekly chart" (in Slovenian). SloTop50. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: January 07, 2012 to January 14, 2012)". Gaon Chart. December 15, 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Train – Drive By" Canciones Top 50.
- ^ "Train – Drive By". Singles Top 100.
- ^ "Train – Drive By". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Train Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "ARIA End of Year Singles 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2012". austriancharts.at. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2012". Ultratop. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
- ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
- ^ "MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 2012" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2012". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2012" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2012" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2012 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2012". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ "Best of 2012 - Hot 100 Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Train – Drive By" (in German). IFPI Austria.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Train – Drive By". Music Canada. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Train – Drive By". IFPI Danmark.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Train; 'Drive By')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Train – Drive By" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2012" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Drive By" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Single van Train goed voor platina" (in Dutch). NU.nl. October 23, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Train – Drive By". Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 21, 2012 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan.
- ^ Jones, Alan (February 3, 2017). "Official Charts Analysis: La La Land hits top of the albums chart". Music Week. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
- ^ "British single certifications – Train – Drive By". British Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "American single certifications – Train – Drive By". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ iTunes - Music - Drive By - Single by Train
- ^ Praxis Media. "Radio1 Rodos Greece ::: UK Forthcoming Singles ::: Charts, DJ Promos, Dance, Lyrics, Free Mp3 Samples Downloads". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
External links[]
- 2012 singles
- Train (band) songs
- Songs written by Espen Lind
- Songs written by Amund Bjørklund
- Songs written by Pat Monahan
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- Song recordings produced by Butch Walker
- Song recordings produced by Espionage (production team)
- 2011 songs
- Columbia Records singles
- Torch songs
- Music videos directed by Alan Ferguson (director)
- Songs containing the I–V-vi-IV progression
- Songs about cars