3/31: Driven

One of the most listenable 90's-era tunes, Driven really highlights Ged's bass skills.

Driven to the margin of error
Driven to the edge of control
Driven to the margin of terror
Driven to the edge of a deep, dark hole

“Driven” has a lot of the same masculine energy as Cake’s “The Distance.” It’s easy to imagine a throbbing race car engine under your feet as the guitar and bass rocket in, confident and relentless and dare I even say kinda sexy?

For most of the song, the percussion section is pared back, which makes sense, as the rhythm is driven by the twin guitars, each trading off with the other who drives the action of the song. That said, in the final moments of the song, the lead guitar begins to screech like tires on asphalt, and Neil comes in fully at last.

This is one of the most listenable 90’s-era Rush tracks—it sounds especially amazing live. I especially love when Geddy comes in at 1:45, only for Alex to come in hot a few measures later. SO GOOD. It’s one of my favorite Ged solos in Rushdom.