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Son Volt — Driving the View
Album: Wide Swing Tremolo
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1047









Released: 1998
Length: 2:50
Plays (last 30 days): 0
From different levels just pieces together
Never had a fall that didn't burn with laughter
Living it down just enough time to revel
All this talk about the machine and what it means
On the street side walking faces wearing different dreams

Living it down just enough time to revel
When you're driving the view
The pace looks up when the burn goes down
Time and again when you're driving the view

Another non-issue in around that common place
Free loose dirt, free the minds of those who gain say
Living it down, just enough time to revel
Living it down, just enough time to revel
Comments (151)add comment
Any chance we could get some Souled American (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...) ?
On my list of All-Time Favorite Concerts in a Small Club, Son Volt comes in second. Their show rocked!

First best was Stevie Ray Vaughn in a little bar in Texas...
 Jelani wrote:
 mach-hog wrote:
I really like this group. Kind of easy on my ears. 
 Really?  The singers voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me!

 
Get it! It's the high pitched male voices that buggers it.
 Jelani wrote:
 mach-hog wrote:
I really like this group. Kind of easy on my ears. 
 Really?  The singers voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me!

 Then go listen to Wilco lest your tender ears not be offended.

 mach-hog wrote:
I really like this group. Kind of easy on my ears. 
 Really?  The singers voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me!

I really like this group. Kind of easy on my ears. 
 SCprof wrote:
RobK wrote:
Ugh, can't believe you actually think that man! The other guy had it right - Farrar blows the Tweedster out of the water any day.
I totally agree. Jay Rocks!!
 
Ugh!  I saw this same thought, only reversed, on a Wilco track.  Why does zero sum thinking appeal to so many? 

They are both great.  They were great together and they have gone on to be great (in their own inimitable ways) apart.  Embrace and enjoy them both.  This is a win-win for music fans.
I stood next to him by the stage at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown while he performed the whole album Trace.
Yeah baby. RnR from Belleville, IL..via Uncle Tupelo.  .

It's Jay's vocal or the guitar chords that makes this song one of a handful of Son Volt personal treasures. During the Boquist brothers era. Beyond fine. 
Very tasty indeed! Catchy and rebellious. Super-addictive. The guitar. The voice. The intensity! Definitely one of my favorites by them...
Their music always is impressive.
This is my kind of music.
Wow, that guy is talented!  Saw him live, with band, over 2 years ago.  Impressive start to finish.
 rdo wrote:

I get so many laughs from these song comments.  I know it is bad form to laugh at my own but I really got an assist there from Cy, (keep scrolling down).  Clearly the funniest post (Cy's) on RP.   I am still waiting to hear if anything came of this offer.  Was there any quid pro quo we need be informed about? My offer still stands.  I will gladly polish Bill's gerbil for an extended set during a snow storm.
 
Always loved her comments...that was a GREAT one!   {#Laughing}
 Poacher wrote:
 rdo wrote:

{#Yell} Blizzard here in DC.  Hey Bill, how about I polish your gerbil for a nice blizzard set.  


'polish your gerbil'? {#Think} 

 
I get so many laughs from these song comments.  I know it is bad form to laugh at my own but I really got an assist there from Cy, (keep scrolling down).  Clearly the funniest post (Cy's) on RP.   I am still waiting to hear if anything came of this offer.  Was there any quid pro quo we need be informed about? My offer still stands.  I will gladly polish Bill's gerbil for an extended set during a snow storm.
 rdo wrote:

{#Yell} Blizzard here in DC.  Hey Bill, how about I polish your gerbil for a nice blizzard set.  


'polish your gerbil'? {#Think} 

{#Yell}

 

Blizzard here in DC.  Hey Bill, how about I polish your gerbil for a nice blizzard set.  THE GOVERNMENT IS SHUT DOWN!

 

  All of you revolutionaries listening: NOW IS YOUR CHANCE! 


I like this.
Woo hoo...


a RnR song for a Friday afternoon...fancy that?


And its a band with roots from the midwest (Belleville, IL). Songs of love, sex, hope, and dreams...with alittle bit of booze and drugs.      
listening to son volt (and wilco) makes me do two things...enjoy the song  and reach for the uncle tupelo
He does indeed sound a little bit like Stipe, but mainly because he's inflecting his voice in that country style, which Stipe did too. 
So, if anything, this has a modern country twang to it.
It's pretty good. 
 Cynaera wrote:
Yep - still love this song. And I need it now - stuff is getting very difficult and complicated (and my damned keyboard is so gummed up that I have to retype every third word!) This song makes me feel happy. Haven't really listened to the words, but the very tone cheers me.

Bill - things are pretty hard here - could we get a feel-good set? I'd wax your skis, I'd polish your gerbil, I'd be your best friend... Please?  Thanks, whatever happens. I just love this place... {#Sunny}
 
{#Eek}
 TimeWaster wrote:
 
Says someone who gets their opinions from the guy in the picture.

Yeah baby.

Good ole RnR from Belleville, IL...back in the days of Uncle Tupelo. With that Stag Beer brewery.  Driving back roads in Southern Illinois.
 Sasha2001 wrote:
I like it! Little bit of REM, little bit of Jayhawks, little bit of Petty mixed with their own special twang.
  sounds like a bar b que sauce! 


{#Music}   {#Sunny}  {#Dance}
 fredriley wrote:

REM Lite? Yer man's voice sounds an awful lot like Michael Stipe's. IMO, naturally. Pleasant enough, but in one ear and out the other leaving no record of its passing. Good driving music, I suspect. 5 from the Nottingham jury.

dwlangham wrote:

As an avid listener to Son Volt and REM, it's my opinion that they don't sound anything alike, and if they do they resemble each other it's sort of like the way that dolphins and sharks share surface similarities. Get past the superficial similarities and you see two completely different animals.
 
Jay Farrar sounds like Michael Stipe? Yeah, right! {#Ass}

I love Son Volt, I loved Uncle Tupelo, and Jay's solo work as well.

But Michael Stipe STILL has the vocal range and timbre of an opera singer, whereas Jay usually sounds about a 1/4 note off pitch.

dalangham has it cold: Convergence forced sharks and dolphins to evolve in a similar fashion to deal with external factors acting upon them to adapt or die.

Sort of sounds like the music biz, eh? {#Biggrin}
I like it! Little bit of REM, little bit of Jayhawks, little bit of Petty mixed with their own special twang.
 fredriley wrote:
REM Lite? Yer man's voice sounds an awful lot like Michael Stipe's. IMO, naturally. Pleasant enough, but in one ear and out the other leaving no record of its passing. Good driving music, I suspect. 5 from the Nottingham jury.
 
As an avid listener to Son Volt and REM, it's my opinion that they don't sound anything alike, and if they do they resemble each other it's sort of like the way that dolphins and sharks share surface similarities. Get past the superficial similarities and you see two completely different animals.


I love his voice to, just one song at a time though.
I bought an album, based on a hearing one song, and played it through. Bad move. Afetr the third song his voice was just irritating. Great lyrics.
When you come to the fork in the road, you gotta decide.  I chose Son Volt.
 gemtag wrote:
Sweden is spot on while UK if off the mark. Son Volt is pure power.
 
Son Volt - like a bolt from the blue! {#High-five}
Sweden is spot on while UK is off the mark. Son Volt is pure power.
REM Lite? Yer man's voice sounds an awful lot like Michael Stipe's. IMO, naturally. Pleasant enough, but in one ear and out the other leaving no record of its passing. Good driving music, I suspect. 5 from the Nottingham jury.
From seven and up, great !! My best from Sweden.
No Depression?
Yeah, I do like this.  Good stuff.  I like the style.
+1

 
gandalfbmg wrote:
I wish all country music sounded like alt country... maybe then everyone around me would have good taste in music...
 


 carjam99 wrote:
I heard an acoustic version of Driving the View back in the days when music sharing was unrestricted.  It is not on any Son Volt album I've heard, but it was absolutely amazing.  The hook riff was very pronounced and the sound quality was good.  Does anyone know the version I am talking about and if so could you please share it with me?  I need this to round out my Son Volt collection. 
 
I also would love to hear this.  I wonder if it was a b-side?  Just checked allmusic.com and my best guess is that it is from Jay Farrar's Live EP, but there is no link to hear it & I don't own it.  Yet.  {#Mrgreen}
What a great song for the morning!!!!!
I wish all country music sounded like alt country... maybe then everyone around me would have good taste in music...
I heard an acoustic version of Driving the View back in the days when music sharing was unrestricted.  It is not on any Son Volt album I've heard, but it was absolutely amazing.  The hook riff was very pronounced and the sound quality was good.  Does anyone know the version I am talking about and if so could you please share it with me?  I need this to round out my Son Volt collection. 
Yep - still love this song. And I need it now - stuff is getting very difficult and complicated (and my damned keyboard is so gummed up that I have to retype every third word!) This song makes me feel happy. Haven't really listened to the words, but the very tone cheers me.

Bill - things are pretty hard here - could we get a feel-good set? I'd wax your skis, I'd polish your gerbil, I'd be your best friend... Please?  Thanks, whatever happens. I just love this place... {#Sunny}
 Cynaera wrote:
I don't care what anyone says - when I hear a Son Volt song, the sun comes out, my feet start tapping, and I feel like life really isn't so bad afterall. Yeah, the lead singer's got a whiny voice. So does Neil Young, and I love his music, too. Maybe I'm just not as discerning and "educated" as a few of the music critics who hang out here. Hanging my head in shame. Not.

I like Froot Loops. *blows bubble and pops it with a chop-stick.*
 
 and....You Rock!

nice record. Always perks me up.

Funny, at the time of  Uncle T''s breakup, his star seemed brighter than Tweedy's


I don't care what anyone says - when I hear a Son Volt song, the sun comes out, my feet start tapping, and I feel like life really isn't so bad afterall. Yeah, the lead singer's got a whiny voice. So does Neil Young, and I love his music, too. Maybe I'm just not as discerning and "educated" as a few of the music critics who hang out here. Hanging my head in shame. Not.

I like Froot Loops. *blows bubble and pops it with a chop-stick.*
"Worst male vocalist ever"......Really? Not quite sure about some of the comments I'm reading.  This guy definitely has a vocalist range that surpasses most male singers out there. Almost pure tone from this voice and goes well with his musical style and specifically this song. 
 peter_james_bond wrote:
The guitar work has a bit of a Stones feel. Nice. {#Music}

 
Again.....whodathunkit

The Bodeans and Cash Brothers...

There's a certain quality in this I can't put my finger on that reminded me of the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss album.
Great track from a great record.
I love his voice. 

Love them {#Guitarist}


 gandalfbmg wrote:
It's "just another time for Red Bull" is it? I guess they wrote this about pulling an all-nighter.
 

.. now that's funny !!!
Tks,
It's "just another time for Red Bull" is it? I guess they wrote this about pulling an all-nighter.
super kool
 toterola wrote:

I agree with you orpheus. How do folks like this guy end up listening to RP, I wonder?

I bet you a dollar he's not a contributor, whadda ya think?{#Cheers}
 

probly not{#Whistle}
The guitar work has a bit of a Stones feel. Nice. {#Music}

Sounds like the Jayhawks. (Like it.)

The best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{#Nyah} Excellater.
 Excelsior wrote:
Worst male vocalist ever.  {#Puke}
 
yeah, shades of tom really petty
oh lucy!!!!! you can not sing baballoo down at the club.  why dont you try singing for son volt.  it sounds like they could use a new vocalist with a whiny voice.  (;please forgive me i couldnt help it)
Worst male vocalist ever.  {#Puke}
Oh now you're talking.  Son Volt, ya!!


 orpheus wrote:
methinks your so-called "Sewer" environment is aptly named, so why doncha crawl back into it?!

 
I agree with you orpheus. How do folks like this guy end up listening to RP, I wonder?

I bet you a dollar he's not a contributor, whadda ya think?{#Cheers}
How did these guys ever get a recording contract?
buck-arkansas wrote:
an outstanding song. say no more.
agreed. nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
Wow... whiniest, most nasal voice possible. Completely overrides the good instrumentals in the background.
The_Enemy wrote:
This from a Stalin-loving anarchist fart-catcher? Pinko, grease thyself!! and enjoy the music
methinks your so-called "Sewer" environment is aptly named, so why doncha crawl back into it?!
Nice song, fun listening. However, it sure seems to elicit some extreme comments. Hard to figure...
orpheus wrote:
this from a dubya-loving conservative righty? Physican heal thyself!!
This from a Stalin-loving anarchist fart-catcher? Pinko, grease thyself!! and enjoy the music
an outstanding song. say no more.
lwilkinson wrote:
My ex-wife loved C&W but I can still listen to Mel Tillis and Johnny Cash without thinking of her lunacy; just don't let others decide for you. Oh, and maybe consider more family oriented comments like WTF instead of the direct approach.
this from a dubya-loving conservative righty? Physican heal thyself!!
arserocket wrote:
Does he know who he hates?
arserocket wrote:
I just hate that you hate that he hates that. But like this song mind you
orpheus wrote:
Used to like this band until this fat asshole back in Columbia MD (who i worked with at a major corportion) said he liked 'em, now I can't listen to 'em without thinking of that fat fuck
My ex-wife loved C&W but I can still listen to Mel Tillis and Johnny Cash without thinking of her lunacy; just don't let others decide for you. Oh, and maybe consider more family oriented comments like WTF instead of the direct approach.
veegez wrote:
I hate that you hate that so many people like this genre of music that you so hate. Hate it! Hate it! Hate it! :)
I just hate. But like this song mind you
orpheus wrote:
Used to like this band until this fat asshole back in Columbia MD (who i worked with at a major corportion) said he liked 'em, now I can't listen to 'em without thinking of that fat fuck
Is this really what you wanted to tell everybody? Ok, just wanted to check.
Used to like this band until this fat asshole back in Columbia MD (who i worked with at a major corportion) said he liked 'em, now I can't listen to 'em without thinking of that fat fuck
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
Dude... are you serious? Love them both (Wilco/Sun Volt) but listen, Jay took the "wrong" fork.
Totally serious. Farrar stayed true to Uncle Tupelo's sound while Tweedy deviated from it. I like them both but Sun Volt > Wilco. I notice that you post from Chicago. I'm sure that doesn't color your opinion. ;)
Fantastic.8 on first listen.
RobK wrote:
Ugh, can't believe you actually think that man! The other guy had it right - Farrar blows the Tweedster out of the water any day.
I totally agree. Jay Rocks!!
Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote:
Dude... are you serious? Love them both (Wilco/Sun Volt) but listen, Jay took the "wrong" fork.
Ugh, can't believe you actually think that man! The other guy had it right - Farrar blows the Tweedster out of the water any day.
99 wrote:
Son Volt > Wilco
Dude... are you serious? Love them both (Wilco/Sun Volt) but listen, Jay took the "wrong" fork.
Son Volt > Wilco
i have a 12 hour drive coming up in 2 weeks...you can bet your sweet potatoes this CD will be in the rotation. great driving music. johnny_h wrote:
When I hear this song I feel like I should be driving the Oregon coast on a sunny day in a convertible... Possibly, after leaving someone, moving to a new place and starting a new life. Also, in this particular fantasy I have a full head of hair! :D
When I hear this song I feel like I should be driving the Oregon coast on a sunny day in a convertible... Possibly, after leaving someone, moving to a new place and starting a new life. Also, in this particular fantasy I have a full head of hair! :D
This is a perfect example of one of the songs I wish they had played when I saw them about a month ago touring for the new album. I counted maybe three pre-Okemah songs in the very long set. He just basically ignored the second and third SV albums, which are pretty much my favorites. Shame. Still gotta love Jay and the band. Here's a photo I took.
Fantastic song. Farrar is one of the best songwriters of the last 15 years.
greg6494 wrote:
10 TEN 10 TEN 10!
Sounds abour right to me.10
10 TEN 10 TEN 10!
SPACEDOG wrote:
Great guitar sound and comp style, but one thing that bothers me about Son Volt is they don't bust it open a bit more and expand their songs, maybe an extended jam that lasts longer than 3:33 or so........
But the fact that they're so tight is one of the things that makes them great.
Yeah well I like it. And I spend money to support it. RP is a good place to find it. Why doesn't Mettle complain that New York has too much pavement? Just go somewhere else. edit: Just checked. Mettle hasn't commented since 11/05 so I guess he DID go elsewhere.
mettle wrote:
I hate this whole sub-genre of alt-rock-country. Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Sebadoh, The Jayhawks and the worst of the bunch, Wilco. Blech. The worst part being, of course, that they get so many raves. Blech x 3
I hate that you hate that so many people like this genre of music that you so hate. Hate it! Hate it! Hate it! :)
No like.....bores me.
loud_family_fan wrote:
Great band, great song.
Great guitar sound and comp style, but one thing that bothers me about Son Volt is they don't bust it open a bit more and expand their songs, maybe an extended jam that lasts longer than 3:33 or so........
I dig all of the SonVolt/Jay Farrar catalog (much to my wife's dismay), but this song is close to the top. The acoustic version even rocks.
mettle wrote:
I hear that. I hate this whole sub-genre of alt-rock-country. Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, Sebadoh, The Jayhawks and the worst of the bunch, Wilco. Blech. The worst part being, of course, that they get so many raves. Blech x 3
God forbid I ever sound like this guy...I hate that whole genre and hate even more that so many other people like it...?? Do ya hear yourself? This song rocks and so does (did) this band. I was lucky enough to see them live a few times back in the day.
great song. great lyrics. great voice. great...
Great song, great band! If you like Son Volt and other alt-Country, try Treehouse: www.myspace.com/treehouseonline peace.
I love Tweedy and Wilco ...but something makes me want to see Farrar surpass him in some way. Sort of a Frey vs Henley or Walsh ...or Collins vs. Gabriel... all out musical war. ...but I guess actually nothing like that. Whatever.
Great band, great song.
Love these guys.
tim_ontario wrote:
Well, some of us can't afford an ipod. Some of us can't afford a car either....so i'll give it a 5
How about getting a Walkman and taking the Bus?
come on now. play nice. LadyLovelyLocks wrote:
Is "Nasal" a separate musical genre? If so, this guy totally fits within it.
Now that's a guitar hook!
... Driving the View ... (click here) ... from Goolarabooloo! ... (click here) ... Great band Great song! ...
number6 wrote:
Lord, I miss this band.... Come back to us!
They're back and as good as ever. The new CD is fantastic. They're touring now, so hopefully many will get to enjoy Farrar again.
This is an example of one of those songs that I don't like after about three notes.
i'm bored of this guy's voice by now. time for a new whiner.
Is "Nasal" a separate musical genre? If so, this guy totally fits within it.
KALINEVE wrote:
If you don't like these guys, you need to take more road trips. Nothing like 1-40 with Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo etcon the ipod.
Well, some of us can't afford an ipod. Some of us can't afford a car either....so i'll give it a 5
If you like this, go get any one of the The Spanic Boys records....maybe "Walk Through Fire"...if you can find it.
If you don't like these guys, you need to take more road trips. Nothing like 1-40 with Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo etcon the ipod.
God, i love his voice. Jesus, what a tune. Fantasmic!