"Gravel Drive" is a song by John Cale, a Welsh musician and composer. The lyrics paint a picture of someone leaving, creating a sense of absence and longing. The song revolves around themes of distance, separation, and the desire to be taken along or included. The opening lines, "You're going away again, It's almost as if you never came," suggest a recurring pattern of departure and return, where the person leaving feels fleeting, as if their presence never truly stays. The narrator expresses feelings of weariness and helplessness, perhaps being left behind repeatedly. The line, "Leave me something, Something that will make me smile," shows the narrator pleading for a tangible memento or memory to hold onto while the other person is gone. It highlights a longing for a connection and a sense of happiness that they can cling to during their absence. The mention of someone calling from the den, asking about a TV show, adds a touch of normalcy amidst the emotions. It gives a glimpse into the everyday life that continues even when someone is leaving. The car door slamming and footsteps on the gravel drive reinforce the act of departure, creating a vivid soundscape and emphasizing the physical reality of the person leaving. The chorus, "Take me with you, Take me away, Leave me a piece of your smile," reveals the narrator's longing to be included in the journey. They wish to be taken along, to share in the experiences and not be left behind. The request for a piece of the other person's smile suggests a deep desire for a lasting connection and a sense of happiness or contentment. The final line, "Travelling the edges, Like footsteps on a gravel drive," metaphorically represents the journey that the person embarks on. It suggests a path that is not well-defined or smooth, but rather marked by uncertainty and roughness. This image could convey the difficulties and challenges that come with leaving and exploring new territories. Overall, "Gravel Drive" captures the emotions surrounding separation and the yearning for companionship. It explores the complex dynamics of distance and the desire to be included, offering a glimpse into the narrator's struggle with the departure and the hope for a lasting connection.
