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My Gen X Playlist: Drive – Aimee Mann

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A few days ago I was running errands and I started thinking about ice cream. Not just any ice cream, but that giant ice cream soft serve that they sell at Costco. I turned on the navigation system in my head and diverted from my next errand. How could I not? I had ice cream on the brain that needed to be satisfied. Nothing could break this train of thought. Or so I thought. Then, it happened.

I didn’t notice the glow at first, but when my car made a strange shimmy, I looked down to see the check engine light on. Fuck. Then came an obscure message on my dashboard. Check VSC. Like that meant anything to me. The only thing I know about cars is how to turn it on and where to put the gas. Now wasn’t the time to worry about my shortcomings, I had to make the call: either I pull over to the side of the road or throw fate to the wind and drive home. I wasn’t too far from home, so I braved the drive. I let out a sigh of relief when I pulled into the garage.

I do have a trustworthy mechanic, but he’s old school and the combo of check engine and VSC made me think I should probably go to the dealer instead. I thought about calling AAA to tow my car there, but upon research I learned it’s typically safe to drive 50 to 100 miles when the check engine light goes on. The dealer was only five.

I’m all about planning and contingency plans. My car is aging. I typically take good care of my car and get all I can out of it before replacing it. I needed to come up with a dollar figure that was my limit. Anything above that threshold would make me throw in the towel and bid my trusty friend farewell as it drove into the sunset.

I simultaneously began dreaming about new cars. I started thinking about the new car smell, the pristine interior, the empty trunk to actually put stuff in and finally hitting the road in a hybrid or electric car. Daydreaming like this was the fun part. A small part of me was hoping the repair bill would nudge me over the edge.

Before I left for the dealership, I mentioned to my wife two things: One, to say a little prayer for me to make it safely door to door. And two, I vowed to drink at least a thousand dollars worth of free coffee from the dealership’s fancy coffee machine to offset the arm and leg I’d be handing over to fix my car. I pulled into the dealership, dropped off the keys, made the sign of the cross and began consuming caffeine.

At the end of the day, I just needed to replace the coils (no idea what that meant) and switch out the spark plugs. The VSC? I was told that’s just something that lights up when the check engine light turns on (really?). The cost was significantly below my adios number, so my friend is safe and sound in the garage. I’m sure he is letting out a sigh of relief.

I never did get my Costco ice cream. In a weird sort of way, maybe this was the universe telling me I didn’t need that giant vanilla ice cream glued to my waistline and ass and it went to great lengths to teach me an expensive lesson. I may not look at Costco ice cream the same way after this ordeal. Well, who am I kidding. I’m already dreaming of that tasty soft serve again. Seems like some lessons are not easily absorbed.

I was thinking about car songs. A number of them came to mind like The Cars’ hit Drive. Both the band name and song title fit the bill. But for some reason, I just wasn’t feeling it. So I lifted the hood and tweaked the engine a bit and came up with Aimee Mann’s acoustic cover of Drive, instead. It’s the same, but not the same. Enjoy.

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Who's gonna tell you when
It's too late?
Who's gonna tell you things
Aren't so great?

You can't go on
Thinking nothing's wrong, oh oh
Who's gonna drive you home
Tonight?

Who's gonna pick you up
When you fall?
Who's gonna hang it up
When you call?
Who's gonna pay attention
To your dreams?
Who's gonna plug their ears
When you scream?

You can't go on
Thinking nothing's wrong, oh oh
(Who's gonna drive you?)
Who's gonna drive you home
(Who's gonna drive you? Who's gonna drive)
Tonight?

Who's gonna hold you down
When you shake?
Who's gonna come around
When you break?

You can't go on
Thinking nothing's wrong, oh oh
(Who's gonna drive you?)
Who's gonna drive you home
(Who's gonna drive you? Who's gonna drive)
Tonight?
Oh, you know you can't go on
Thinking nothing's wrong
(Who's gonna drive you?)
Who's gonna drive you home
(Who's gonna drive you? Who's gonna drive)
Tonight?

27 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Drive – Aimee Mann”

  5. I always keep driving when my check engine light comes on. Thank you for the 50 and 100 miles advice! 😅
    I think you deserve that vanilla ice cream after a long stressful day! 🍦

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  6. I didn’t know about the Costco soft serve…I’m gonna try it next time I go there! Aimee Mann is one of ours (from Boston) so I’m looking forward to listening to her version. Thx!

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    1. It is a big ice cream in a cup! After check out, I sometimes hear it call my name…

      From this blog, I’ve been learning a lot of amazing artists are from Boston. You’ve got a lot of great hometown singers!

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  7. my check engine light came on about a month ago– and it was idling rough. my husband was in the car with me and said we had to immediately turn around and go home. WHAT??!! … it’s fine! i didn’t have the heart to tell him that i had once driven my car for months with the “check engine” light on.

    so, go get that ice cream! (there will always be someone to drive you home) 😉

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  8. What a great post! I enjoyed your relaxed, descriptive style in this post, and liked the song choice. I hadn’t heard Aimee’s version before and though I don’t think she can hold a candle to the original, I’m glad I heard it.

    The Cars were such a big part of my music enjoyment early on, and stand up well after all these years. (And this reminds me, it’s time to post another one of theirs, maybe this one!)

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      1. Well, now I’m accountable! Coming up in the near future…

        Yes, what a fabulous band and in addition to their instrumentation I always appreciated the two strong lead vocalists in Ocasek and Orr; sadly both of them gone now.

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  9. Aimee Mann has such a beautiful, distinctive voice. Great story! I may be mistaken but I do not believe my costco has ice cream! They are currently redoing the concession area so maybe it will be included in the upgrade.

    We had to choose between a new engine for $6k or scrapping one of our past cars. We thought we should scrap it at the time and later regretted not replacing the engine. Live and learn. I love your policy of drinking enough coffee to offset the repair costs. Good thinking.

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    1. Yes, I was thinking about her distinctive voice when I listened to her version. There is just something about her tone. It’s so good.

      That balance or repair or replace is not an easy one. I’ve had my share of those dilemmas over the years! Sometimes it’s best to let go and put things in the rear view mirror. It’s not easy, though!

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  10. Volkswagon? Our check engine light was on, so we took it into the dealer for service . . . only to have the check engine light come on again after $4000. Took it in again. Another $1000. Check engine light came on again. Now I’m just going to put tape over it. Whatever. It’s a turbo diesel. Gets 46 mpg. I figure it’s paid for itself in gas. And that Cars song? Go Moving in Stereo and dream of Penelope Cruz.😜Judge Reinhold did.

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