Drivin' Blind

Album: Detroit Muscle (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is Ted Nugent's ode to clean living, where he warns, "Don't get caught drivin' blind."

    Nugent is a certified wild man, but he steers clear of drugs and alcohol. "I'm intoxicated by the music," he's said.
  • In a Songfacts interview with Ted Nugent, he told the story behind this song. "I live such a pure life," he said. "I come in from my every-morning hunting, fishing, trapping, mechanic, farming, ranching, dog training, butchering... no other guitar player has that regimen. Nobody! The original blues guy, Robert Johnson, may have. And Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters when they came from Mississippi to Chicago. My point being, when I come in, I immediately wash my hands, because even though I love the blood and guts and the dirt and grease and the oil, I need to save my Gibsons. Save my guitars from the dangerous abuse of earthly debris. I pick up a Gibson Birdland and play through an amp that I tweak on a daily basis for the most responsive spread of tonality and voicings, and 'Drivin' Blind' happens.

    I come in so pure and distant from the horrors of current global treachery that I am so cleansed. I'm so happy, the dogs are so tired, I'm so fresh, that 'Drivin' Blind,' it just burst forth."
  • The lyrics reference some songs that influenced Nugent.

    "I wrote the book on sexual healing" is a shout-out to Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing." Nugent is from Detroit and was surrounded by the Motown sound, which he drew on for soulfulness.

    "Stop flirting with disaster" calls on "Flirtin' With Disaster," a song from the Southern rock group Molly Hatchet. That song was produced by Tom Werman, who also worked with Nugent.
  • "Drivin' Blind" is a track from Nugent's Detroit Muscle album, released when he was 73 years old, but still "throttling relentlessly." Much of the album is a tribute to the music of Detroit.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

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.

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.