Ergo, the Ogre

This week at Song Lyric Sunday, Jim Adams asked us to find a song that is based on real life. I chose, “I Drive Your Truck” by Lee Brice.

The Story

This emotional song was inspired by the true story of a man who coped with the loss of his brother, a soldier, by driving his truck. Co-writer Connie Harrington heard the story in an interview with the brother of a fallen soldier, and it struck a chord. The raw emotion of the real-life event shines through in the lyrics, making it a tribute to anyone who has lost a loved one.

Conversely, according to Wikipedia, the song is about the narrator driving a truck owned by his brother, who died in action in the United States Army. Co-writer Connie Harrington was inspired to write it after hearing an interview on Here and Now with a father, Paul Monti, whose son, Medal of Honor recipient Jared, was killed in Afghanistan while trying to save a fellow soldier. In the interview, he states that he drives the truck to feel close to his son.^[1][2][3]

The truck that appears in the music video is a 1973 Ford F-100. The actual truck driven by Jared Monti, and then his father, Paul, was a Dodge Ram 1500 adorned with decals, including the 10th Mountain Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, an American flag and a “Go Army” decal.^[4] On September 1, 2022, Jared’s truck was driven by two of his Army comrades during the funeral procession for Paul Monti.^[5]

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country gave it 4.5 stars out of 5, saying that “Brice’s strong lyrical performance[…]should broaden the story’s scope, making it a big hit commercially and artistically.”^[2] Tammy Ragusa of Country Weekly gave the single an A grade. She said that Brice “sings it like his life depends on it” and praised the detail of the lyrics.^[6]

The song was awarded Song of the Year honors at the 47th annual Country Music Association Awards, as well as Song of the Year at the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

The Lyrics

89 cents in the ashtray
Half empty bottle of Gatorade
Rollin’ in the floorboard
That dirty Braves cap on the dash
Dog tags hangin’ from the rearview
Old Skoal can and cowboy boots
And a “Go Army” shirt folded in the back

This thing burns gas like crazy
But that’s all right
People got their ways of copin’
Oh, and I’ve got mine

I drive your truck
I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, I tear it up
‘Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust
Yes, sometimes, I drive your truck

I leave that radio playin’
The same ole country station
Where you left it
Yeah, man, I crank it up
You’d probably punch my arm right now
If you saw this tear rollin’ down my face
Hey, man, I’m tryin’ to be tough

And mamma asked me this mornin’
If I’d been by your grave
But that flag of stone
Ain’t where I feel you anyway

I drive your truck
I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, I tear it up
‘Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust
Yes, sometimes, I drive your truck

I’ve cussed, I’ve prayed, I’ve said goodbye
I’ve shook my fist and asked God why
These days, when I’m missin’ you this much

I drive your truck
I roll every window down
And I burn up
Every back road in this town
I find a field, and I tear it up
‘Til all the pain’s a cloud of dust, yes, sometimes
Brother, sometimes, I drive your truck

I drive your truck
I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind
I drive your truck

Songwriters: Connie Rae Harrington, Jessi Leigh Alexander, Jimmy Yeary. For non-commercial use only.

The Video