The Story Behind Incubus’ Early-2000s Hits “Drive” and “Wish You Were Here”: Podcast

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On the latest episode of The Story Behind the Song, Incubus vocalist Brandon Boyd and lead guitarist Mike Einziger join host Peter Csathy to revisit two of their biggest hits: “Drive” and “Wish You Were Here.” Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts, and watch a clip of the interview below.

Boyd and Einziger, who founded Incubus together in 1991, take a deep dive into the band’s formation, their music, and their personal and professional journeys. Together, they trace the trajectory of their career, including how the breakout triggered by “Drive” impacted the recording of their fourth studio album, Morning View, and its lead single, “Wish You Were Here.” In particular, Boyd candidly discusses how that success counterbalanced a rough patch in his romantic life.

“I had broken someone’s heart, but I was also heartbroken at the same time. We were also experiencing so much abundance in our lives as a band, and personally, it was this amazing time that for me sort of had a shadow attached to it,” Boyd says. “It was beautiful and sad all at the same time for me as a young man. And so I just remember hearing that [‘Wish You Were Here’] riff, I started humming the melody that became the melody on the song now, and I walked across the street onto the beach on this beautiful night. I was kind of having a very sort of sensory, tactile experience of looking at the water and squishing my toes in the dewy sand at night there, and it was kind of chilly and there was a breeze, but it was beautiful. And in that moment, I was sad, but I was also like, ‘This is so fucking beautiful. God, I wish someone was here to share this with me.'”

In addition to “Drive” and “Wish You Were Here,” the Incubus members also discuss re-recording Morning View as Morning View XXIII; it just so happens the album celebrates its 23rd anniversary this October 22nd. The band just played the album in full on their recent tour, and Boyd sat down with Consequence earlier this year to discuss the making of Morning View, celebrating its anniversary during the pandemic, and letting music guide him through chaotic times

Listen to Incubus’ Brandon Boyd and Mike Einziger discuss the making of “Drive” and “Wish You Were Here” above or on your favorite podcast platform, or watch a clip of the interview below.

Check out Incubus’ re-recorded anniversary edition of Morning View on Apple Music or Amazon Music, or pick up a vinyl copy of the album on Amazon.

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Make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts. Fans can also check out the new TSBTS merch — including a killer poster and jigsaw puzzle — available now at the Consequence Shop or via the buy now buttons below! Follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media, and keep up with the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.