Song written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly for Roy Orbison. Orbison first recorded the song in 1987, but his rendition was not released until 1992.
Before that, Cyndi Lauper recorded the song for her third album, ‘A Night to Remember’ (1989). Lauper said she wanted to do it because she liked the idea “of a woman driving, of a woman in control.” Notable in her catalogue for the striking use of a lower vocal register, it has become one of Lauper’s most performed and well-known tracks.
The song has been covered by Pinmonkey (2002), Céline Dion (2003), and Becca (2008). John Waite recorded the song in 1986-87 while recording tracks for the CD Rovers Return but decided not to release it.
On 3 July 2008, Kim Wilde performed the song live on the occasion of a concert to open the Wilkinson American Movie Day in Brussels (Belgium). She performed the track as a duet with Belgian singer Born Crain.
Lyrics
I had to escape
The city was sticky and cruel
Maybe I should have called you first
But I was dying to get to you
I was dreaming while I drove
The long straight road ahead, uh, huh
Could taste your sweet kisses
Your arms open wide
This fever for you is just burning me up inside
I drove all night to get to you
Is that alright
I drove all night
Crept in your room
Woke you from your sleep
To make love to you
Is that alright
I drove all night
What in this world
Keeps us from tearing apart
No matter where I go I hear
the beating of our one heart
I think about you
when the night is cold and dark
No one can move me
the way that you do
Nothing erases the feeling between me and you
I drove all night to get to you
Is that alright
I drove all night
Crept in your room
Woke you from your sleep
To make love to you
Is that alright
I drove all night
Could taste your sweet kisses
Your arms open wide
This fever for you is just burning me up inside
I drove all night to get to you
Is that alright
I drove all night
Crept in your room
Is that alright
I drove all night
I drove all night to get to you
Is that alright
I drove all night