Incredible! You Won’t Believe How Much This Indie Pop Star Loves Cars and Driving
There’s one musician who surpasses all others when it comes to singing about cars and driving, and that’s British indie/hyper-pop star Charli XCX. Seriously, she sings about cars more than The Cars, a band actually named after cars! When I saw the video for her single “Speed Drive” featuring a Corvette, I knew I had to share it with all of you.
Let me explain: ELI5 (Explain It Like I’m 5) is a term used on the internet. Well, around here, we have our own version called ELIDT (Explain It Like I’m David Tracy). David Tracy may know a lot about Jeep transmissions, but his pop culture knowledge is limited. He even refuses to listen to music on road trips! So, let’s dive in and discover the world of Charli XCX together.
Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Emma Aitchison, is a British singer, writer, and producer. Kids today have a broad taste in music, thanks to the accessibility of digital platforms. Charli XCX is an indie artist who creates perfect pop music. She’s like the inverse of Robyn, a Swedish pop star who makes earnest dance songs loved by indie music fans. It’s worth mentioning Robyn because she’ll come up later.
You may not recognize Charli XCX by name, but you’ve definitely heard her collaborations. She was featured on Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” and Icona Pop’s “I Love It.” If you’re into avant-garde music, you might have heard her on 100 gecs’ “ringtone.” But her first album, “True Romance,” had a darker and introspective vibe. It celebrated the transition from early adulthood to late teenagedom.
Since then, Charli XCX has gravitated towards dance and hyper-pop. And she has a particular affinity for cars, which is evident in her lyrics and videos. A lot of her songs reference cars and driving. In an NPR interview, she discussed how driving is a central theme in her work. She explores the stereotypes associated with being a female pop star and challenges the way women are perceived in the music industry.
One of her songs, “Vroom-Vroom,” captures the exhilaration of driving a powerful car with its harsh electronic hook. Charli XCX doesn’t endorse any specific car brand, although Mercedes-Benz pops up frequently. Her song “White Mercedes” features a music video with a bro-dozer 2nd gen Ram truck but no white Mercedes.
A recurring concept in Charli XCX’s music is the idea of “speed drive.” It represents the heart-pounding thrill of driving at full speed and losing control. It’s that feeling you get when you’re pushing the limits. In her song “Crash,” she encapsulates this experience, emphasizing the intense rush that comes with speed.
So, it wasn’t surprising when I discovered that her song “Speed Drive” was featured in the Greta Gerwig-directed “Barbie” film, specifically in a captivating chase scene. What surprised me was the music video for the song.
The music video showcases a vibrant pink C5 Corvette. As a fan of C5 Corvettes, this immediately caught my attention. Seeing Charli XCX dancing alongside the C5 ‘Vette, performing impressive stunts, and burning rubber was pure joy.
The video is refreshingly simple, and the song itself has a catchy plinky backbone reminiscent of Robyn’s “Cobrastyle” and the chorus from Toni Basil’s “Mickey.” The burning tire of the C5 Corvette in the video adds an extra layer of excitement.
In conclusion, Charli XCX is our queen of driving music. She not only creates amazing pop music but also incorporates her love for cars and driving into her work. So, if you’re a fan of Charli XCX or just looking for an adrenaline-fueled music experience, make sure to watch the “Speed Drive” music video. You won’t be disappointed!