Meaning of "Five State Drive" by Less Than Jake

The lyrics of "Five State Drive" explore themes of nostalgia, personal growth, and the difficulty of leaving the past behind. The narrator embarks on a journey, symbolized by the five state drive, as a means of escaping their routine and seeking new experiences. However, as they travel through different places and witness various sights, the narrator realizes that despite external changes, their internal perception remains stagnant. The line "Got on the 47, transferred to the 89, left town eastbound, past all the city signs" illustrates the physical movement away from familiar surroundings, emphasizing the desire to distance oneself from the past. However, as they encounter "crummy bars and beat-up cars," the narrator finds that the new environment doesn't bring the expected change or fresh perspective they were seeking.

Throughout the song, the repetition of the phrase "By now, think I've found things changed, just don't look that way to me" symbolizes the dissonance between external appearances and the narrator's internal reality. The narrator's perception of their surroundings remains fixed, implying that true change and growth come from within rather than mere physical relocation. The mention of "corner creeps and dirty streets" further emphasizes the narrator's disillusionment with new surroundings, suggesting that the struggles of the past continue to haunt them regardless of location.

The lyrics also touch on the notion of giving up and the feeling of going nowhere fast. While the narrator attempts to escape their past and find new beginnings, they find themselves stuck in a cycle of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. The line "And when going off is like going on, and never going back now, it's just like giving up" conveys a sense of resignation and the difficulty of truly leaving the past behind. Despite the desire for change and growth, the narrator feels trapped and lacking progress.

Overall, "Five State Drive" delves into the complexities of personal growth and the challenges of leaving the past behind. It suggests that true change requires more than a physical journey and highlights the importance of internal transformation and perception in achieving personal fulfillment.