Meaning of 'I Drove Her out of My Mind'

by Johnny Cash

Interpretation

The song lyrics "I Drove Her out of My Mind" by Johnny Cash is about a man who has been left by his lover and is trying to get her out of his mind. He describes his feelings and thoughts during this process.

In the lyrics, it becomes clear that the woman left the protagonist because she was attracted to another man who could give her expensive gifts. The protagonist is hurt and feels betrayed by her. He tries to forget her with the help of drugs like "ups and downers" and other means, but he can't get her love out of his mind.

To impress her, he even buys a Cadillac that she always wanted and invites her for a ride. However, she declines and says that this will be their last date. The protagonist, however, is relieved because he plans to drive her out of his mind. He takes her on a journey that leads them to different places and eventually to the "Pearly Gates".

The protagonist plans to kill the woman through an apparent joint suicide by making her fall from a mountain. He writes a farewell letter that describes death as his liberation from the pain. He plans to make his act look like a suicide, but in reality, it is a liberation from the woman who left him.

At the end of the lyrics, the woman comes to meet him. She is dressed attractively, but he is ready to let her go. He hopes that she will ask him about his new Cadillac that can fly, and he is excited to show her that he has finally driven her out of his mind.

The lyrics contain a mix of hurt, revenge, and liberation. The protagonist tries to regain control of his feelings and remove the woman from his life for good with his action. It is a story about the attempt to deal with a broken heart and free oneself from a painful past.

The quoted lines show the protagonist's intention to drive the woman out of his mind and achieve his liberation from her.