Driving My Life Away

Album: Horizon (1980)
Charted: 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • With the exception of "I Love A Rainy Night," This was Eddie Rabbit's most successful song, reaching #1 on the Country charts and selling over a million copies. The song was inspired by the hectic lives of his roadies, whose constant traveling made them virtual strangers to their wives, families, and friends.
  • This was featured in the motion picture Roadie, which starred Art Carney and Meat Loaf. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA, for above 2
  • David Malloy and Even Stevens wrote this with Rabbitt. They also collaborated on "I Love A Rainy Night."

Comments: 5

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaThanks Eddie. RIP.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 20th 1980, Eddie Rabbit performed "Drivin' My Life Away" on the NBC-TV program 'The Midnight Special', he was also the show's co-host...
    Six days earlier on June 15th, 1980 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #90; and on September 28th it peaked #5 (for 2 weeks) and spent almost a half-year on the Top 100 (25 weeks)...
    And on August 15th it reached #1 (for 1 week) on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart...
    On the Country chart it was the 2nd of his five straight #1s; "Gone Too Far", this one, "I Love A Rainy Night", "Step By Step", and finally "Someone Could Lose A Heart Tonight" (in all he had a total of sixteen #1s on the Hot Country Singles chart between 1976 and 1989)...
    R.I.P. Mr. Rabbitt (1941 - 1998).
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxI heard this played many times during the late summer of 1980, so whenever I hear it, back I go to that year.
  • Paul from Detroit, MiI miss you, Eddie! What a classic song.
  • Karen from Manchester, NhThere was a killer remake done by Rhett Akins. I believe it was used in the movie "Black Dog."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.