Eddie Rabbitt – Drivin’ My Life Away (Live)

“Drivin’ My Life Away” is an energetic, country-rock song by Eddie Rabbitt, drawing on his truck-driving days to portray the life of a long-haul driver balancing loneliness and beloved routines. Released June 9, 1980, as the lead single from the Horizon album, it became a breakthrough crossover hit—topping country charts and reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Acclaimed for its authenticity and road-life storytelling, it earned gold certification and remains one of Rabbitt’s signature songs. The track was also featured in the film Roadie (1980).

Quick Facts

Background & Release

• Written collaboratively by Rabbitt, Even Stevens, and David Malloy, the song was originally created for the 1980 movie Roadie. The creators quickly realized it had crossover potential beyond a soundtrack placement.
• It launched as the lead single from Horizon, recorded at Caribou Ranch (Colorado), Woodland (Nashville), Sunset Sound, and The Village Recorder (Los Angeles).

Composition & Lyrics

The song reflects Rabbitt’s early life working as a truck driver—infused with imagery like “midnight headlights” and “truck stop cutie” that evoke both romantic longing and weariness on the road. The music blends gritty country storytelling with pop sensibility, underlined by rockabilly and country-pop rhythms.

Reception & Impact

• Charts:
  • Reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1980, marking Rabbitt’s seventh country chart-topper.
  • Peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on Adult Contemporary charts.
  • International peaks: Canada RPM Country #2, Netherlands Top 40 #27, Australia #100.
• Album Performance:
  • Horizon hit No. 1 on the U.S. Top Country Albums and No. 19 on Billboard 200; achieved platinum status.
• Certifications:
  • Drivin’ My Life Away was certified gold by the RIAA in 1981 and has sold hundreds of thousands of digital copies in later years.
• Awards & Nominations:
  • Nominated for Grammy Award for Best Country Song (1981).
  • Nominated for Single Record of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1981.

Uses in Media & Legacy

• Appeared in the Roadie movie soundtrack (1980).
• Covered in Kidsongs video What I Want to Be (1987).
• Featured in TV: The A-Team (1987), The Americans (2018).
• Used in films: Black Dog (1998), Everybody Wants Some!! (2016), Finding Steve McQueen (2018).
• Included in the video game NASCAR 25 soundtrack.
• Often praised as one of the greatest road songs ever, valued for its authenticity and staying power.

Personnel & Credits (Horizon Album)

• Musicians:
  • Eddie Rabbitt – lead & harmony vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Alan Feingold – acoustic piano
  • Randy McCormick – keyboards, synthesizers, string arrangements
  • Larry Byrom – electric guitars
  • Don Barrett, David Hungate, Norbert Putnam – bass
  • James Stroud – drums, percussion; Farrell Morris – percussion
  • Sherry Grooms, David Malloy, Paul Overstreet – backing vocals
• Production Team:
  • Producer: David Malloy
  • Engineers: Peter Granet; assistants Greg Edward, Carla Frederick, David “Gino” Giorgini, Steve Goostree, David Leonard
  • Mastering: Mike Reese at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood)
  • Photography: Beverly Parker; Management: Stan Moress

Timeline of Key Dates

• February 1980 – Song first recorded
• June 9, 1980 – Single released
• June 20, 1980 – Full Horizon album released
• 1980 – Reached No. 1 on country chart, No. 5 pop, and album gains platinum status
• 1981 – Grammy nomination; RIAA gold certification; ACM Award nomination