Deftones emerged from Sacramento, California in 1988 as pioneers of innovative alternative metal. Led by vocalist Chino Moreno, they’ve consistently pushed beyond conventional genre boundaries.
Known for balancing atmospheric soundscapes with intense heaviness, Deftones created a unique sonic identity that set them apart from their contemporaries.
Their sound incorporates elements of shoegaze, post-rock, and electronic music, creating music that transcends easy categorization.
Moreno’s versatile vocal style, ranging from whispered intimacy to cathartic screams—creates the band’s signature contrast of beauty and intensity.
Despite emerging during the nu-metal era, Deftones quickly distinguished themselves through their artistic ambition and refusal to adhere to genre constraints.
About the Song
“Passenger” stands as one of Deftones’ most celebrated collaborations, released on June 20, 2000, as part of their groundbreaking third album “White Pony.”
The song features Tool and A Perfect Circle vocalist Maynard James Keenan, whose distinct voice intertwines with Chino Moreno’s in a remarkable vocal interplay that became an instant fan favorite.
The track showcases the band’s ability to create hypnotic, atmospheric compositions while maintaining their signature intensity, with a dynamic structure that builds from ethereal verses to explosive choruses.
“Passenger” exemplifies the artistic leap Deftones made with “White Pony,” cementing their reputation as innovators willing to push beyond the constraints of alternative metal into more experimental territory.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Passenger |
| Artist | Deftones (featuring Maynard James Keenan) |
| Release Date | June 20, 2000 |
| Album | White Pony |
| Writers | Deftones and Maynard James Keenan |
| Producers | Terry Date and Deftones |
| Genre | Alternative Metal, Art Rock, Post-Metal |
| Chart Peak | Part of “White Pony” album which reached #3 on Billboard 200 |
| Album Certification | Platinum certified by RIAA |
Passenger Lyrics
Verse 1: Chino Moreno and Maynard James Keenan
Here I lay
Still and breathless
Just like always
Still, I want some more
Mirrors sideways
Who cares what’s behind?
Just like always
Still your passenger
Pre-Chorus: Chino Moreno & Maynard James Keenan
Chrome buttons
Buckles and leather surfaces
These and other
Lucky witnesses
Now to calm me
This time, won’t you, please
Drive faster?
Chorus 1: Maynard James Keenan
Roll the window down
This cool night air is curious
Let the whole world look in
Who cares who sees anything?
I’m your passenger
I’m your passenger
Verse 2: Chino Moreno and Maynard James Keenan
Drop these down
Then put them on me
Nice, cool seats
There to cushion your knees
Now to calm me
Take me around again
Don’t pull over
This time, won’t you, please
Drive faster?
Chorus 2: Maynard James Keenan
Roll the window down
This cool night air is curious
Let the whole world look in
Who cares who sees what tonight?
Roll these misty windows
Down to catch my breath and then
Go and go and go
Just drive me home and back again
Outro: Chino Moreno and Maynard James Keenan
Here I lay
Just like always
Don’t let me go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go
Take me to the edge
Meaning Behind The Lyrics
With its hypnotic instrumentation and the haunting vocal interplay between Chino Moreno and Maynard James Keenan, “Passenger” creates a powerful experience that resonates deeply with listeners.
The song masterfully employs the metaphor of a car journey to explore themes of surrender, control, and intimacy that resonate on multiple emotional levels.
Verse 1
Here I lay …… Still your passenger
The protagonist begins in a state of vulnerability and stillness, setting up the contrast with the motion that follows. It is a familiar kind of vulnerability. They have felt it before but still seek it. The moment is about living fully in the now, letting go of concern for consequences or the past.
Pre-Chorus
Chrome buttons …… Drive faster?
The interior of the car is described in sensual detail, suggesting both literal and metaphorical intimacy. These elements are “lucky witnesses” to what’s unfolding, adding to the intensity of the private moment being shared.
The request shows escalating desire and the thrill of surrendering control while simultaneously asking for more intensity from the experience.
Chorus
Roll the window down …… I’m your passenger
The night setting creates a sense of freedom and heightened emotion. Opening to the elements represents vulnerability and openness to experience whatever comes.
There’s a reckless abandonment of privacy and societal norms – the experience is so consuming that external judgment becomes meaningless.
Verse 2
Nice, cool seats …… Drive faster?
This verse intensifies the sensual undertones, with physical comfort and closeness being emphasized. The imagery is deliberately ambiguous but suggests increasing physical intimacy.
The desire for continuation and intensification grows stronger – the passenger doesn’t want the experience to end and craves even greater intensity.
Chorus 2
Roll these misty windows …… Just drive me home and back again
The windows have fogged from the intensity inside the car, creating a further sense of intimate enclosure that now needs release. The need to catch breath suggests the overwhelming nature of the experience.
The repetition emphasizes the desire for the journey to continue indefinitely, cycling back and forth in a loop of experience rather than reaching a final destination.
Outro
Here I lay …… Take me to the edge
The song circles back to the beginning state but with a new desperation – not wanting to be released from this state of surrender, begging to be taken to the furthest extreme of the experience.
The final line reveals the ultimate desire – to be brought to the absolute limit of what can be experienced, the edge of sensation and emotion, through this complete surrender of control.
Throughout the song, the passenger metaphor works on multiple levels. This rich ambiguity is part of what makes the song so compelling and lasting.
Themes of The Song
“Passenger” explores several emotional dimensions that resonate with many listeners:
- Passenger metaphor: Being a passenger represents giving up control and trusting someone else to guide the journey, creating a mix of helplessness and liberation.
- Nocturnal experience: The nighttime setting creates an atmosphere where normal rules don’t apply and emotions feel more intense and personal.
- Duality and Partnership: Two voices singing together mirrors the theme of two people or forces moving through an experience, sometimes agreeing and sometimes clashing.
- Living in the Moment: The focus is on ignoring past consequences and fully immersing in what’s happening right now.
- Adaptation Through Experience: The intense musical and lyrical journey transforms the listener, suggesting they emerge changed from the experience.
These themes, combined with the song’s hypnotic atmosphere and dynamic shifts, create an immersive experience that continues to resonate with listeners decades after its release.
Live Performance
Similar Songs Like “Passenger”
If you enjoy the atmospheric intensity and vocal dynamics of “Passenger,” these songs seize similar qualities of hypnotic heaviness and evocative mood.
1. “Third Eye” – Tool
2. “Digital Bath” – Deftones
3. “The Grudge” – Tool
4. “Lateralus” – Tool
5. “Change (In the House of Flies)” – Deftones
These songs share “Passenger’s” ability to create immersive sonic landscapes that balance heaviness with atmospheric elements while exploring complex emotional territory.
Similar Artists Like Deftones
If you appreciate Deftones’ unique blend of heaviness, atmosphere, and experimental approach, you’ll likely appreciate these similar artists who share their boundary-pushing sounds that balance intensity with artistry:
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Tool: Progressive metal outfit known for complex compositions, philosophical lyrics, and precise musicianship. Their willingness to create lengthy, evolving songs that challenge listeners parallels Deftones’ artistic ambition.
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A Perfect Circle: Featuring Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, this band creates melodic alternative rock with atmospheric qualities and emotional depth similar to Deftones’ more introspective moments.
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Glassjaw: Post-hardcore band whose dynamic vocal performances and willingness to incorporate diverse influences echo Deftones’ genre-defying approach to heavy music.
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Team Sleep: Chino Moreno’s side project that explores the dreamier, more electronic-influenced aspects of Deftones’ sound, emphasizing atmosphere over aggression.
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Failure: Alternative rock band whose spacey textures and layered production techniques influenced Deftones’ sonic approach, particularly on albums like “White Pony.”
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Quicksand: Post-hardcore pioneers whose balance of heaviness and melody created a template for the more experimental side of alternative metal that Deftones would later expand upon.
These artists represent different facets of the experimental approach to heavy music that Deftones helped pioneer, each pushing boundaries while maintaining emotional resonance and sonic innovation.
Before you go, you may also enjoy our other guide on song lyrics and their meanings!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Did Maynard James Keenan Come to Collaborate on “Passenger”?
Keenan participated in writing sessions for “White Pony” and helped the band with creative challenges. During “Passenger” development, he and Moreno co-wrote lyrics by passing a notebook.
Is There Any Significance to The White Pony Album Artwork?
Yes, the minimalist white silhouette of a pony against a white background represented the band’s desire to stand apart from the nu-metal scene, symbolizing their individuality.
Has the Band Performed “Passenger” with Maynard James Keenan Live?
Yes, though rare, Keenan has joined Deftones on stage several times over the years to perform “Passenger” live, creating special moments that fans consider legendary experiences.
Kelsey Roberts is an accomplished songwriter with a knack for crafting lyrics that resonate with listeners. Having written for both indie artists and major labels, Kelsey brings a deep understanding of what makes a song truly impactful. Her expertise includes everything from song structure to lyrical storytelling. She’s passionate about helping others discover their voice through songwriting, providing tips and inspiration for creating songs that touch hearts.
