Aug 312017
 
matt pond pa drive

Over the years, we’ve written about Matt Pond PA’s fantastic covers of Lindsey Buckingham, The Human League, and Nico. For years, the NYC-based band fronted by the titular Matt Pond has bought a tender beauty to every song they’ve touched. But with their newest album, the just-released Still Summer, Matt Pond PA is calling it a day. Before they do, though, they’re releasing one more cover, which we’re pleased to premiere below.

This time, they’ve tackled The Cars’ 1984 hit “Drive.” Pond and the band strip away the ’80s synths, turning the song into a swooning folk-pop ballad with a touch of pedal steel. Pond had this to say about why he loves the song:

Whenever “Drive” comes on the car radio, I gently crush the accelerator and slow-dance with myself.

It’s the libretto of my early teenage life: erotic regret. The older girls in knowing cardigans, gods that could pulverize me with their eyes. Lipstick kisses from outer space. The brilliant brains, the perfect hair, with just a trace of lace at the top of their socks. Whereas I was simply a strange, subterranean humanoid with an asymmetrical haircut.

“Let’s Go,” “Moving in Stereo.” The Cars did it all in the old ways of new waves. They were the highs and lows of New England summers, the blinding sunlight and the broken hearts that had never seen to speak up.

I sat alone in my basement listening to “Drive” years before I ever got the nerve to deferentially inquire, “Who’s gonna drive you home tonight?”

No more erotic regrets. Now it’s time.

Matt Pond PA tour dates
09.21 – Lancaster, PA @ Tellus 360
09.22 – Jersey City, NJ @ White Eagle Hall
09.23 – Hamden, CT @ The Outer Space
09.24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
09.25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Night Bazaar
09.28 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
09.29 – Columbus, OH @ Ace Of Cups
09.30 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
10.01 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
10.02 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
10.04 – Davenport, IA @ Raccoon Motel
10.05 – Iowa City, IA @ The Mill
10.06 – St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird
10.07 – Dallas, TX @ Double Wide Bar
10.08 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
10.09 – Austin, TX @ The Sidewinder
10.12 – Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
10.13 – Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor
10.14 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Wild Pink supporting from 09.21 thru 09.28 then rejoins the tour on 10.12
J Fernandez supports 09.29 – 10.09

Cover Me is now on Patreon! If you love cover songs, we hope you will consider supporting us there with a small monthly subscription. There are a bunch of exclusive perks only for patrons: playlists, newsletters, downloads, discussions, polls - hell, tell us what song you would like to hear covered and we will make it happen. Learn more at Patreon.

  6 Responses to “Matt Pond PA Slow-Dances with Himself on Cover of The Cars’ “Drive” (Premiere)”

Comments (4) Pingbacks (2)
  1. I like it!

  2. Wow… a perfect end-of-summer song. Well done Matt & Chris.

  3. Awesome!

  4. Love it, just as I love everything else Matt Pond PA does!

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