About the song
Background
- Originally written and performed by Canadian rock artist Tom Cochrane in 1991 for his album “Mad Mad World” [Wikipedia Life Is a Highway].
- Chris LeDoux’s version appeared on his 1998 album “One Road Man” and became his signature song.
- LeDoux’s rendition gained even wider popularity after being featured in the Disney movie “Cars” (2006).
Themes
- Freedom and Open Road: The song uses the metaphor of a highway to represent life’s journey. It emphasizes a sense of freedom, adventure, and embracing the unknown.
- Perseverance and Overcoming Challenges: The lyrics mention “bending” and facing obstacles, reflecting the need to adapt and keep moving forward.
- Living in the Moment: The song encourages enjoying the ride and appreciating the experiences encountered along the way.
Lyrics
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a journey on a highway, using it as an analogy for life:
- The first verse introduces the highway metaphor and the idea of impermanence: “Life’s like a road that you travel on / When there’s one day here and the next day gone.”
- The chorus emphasizes embracing the journey and the unknown: “I’m gonna keep on movin’ / Oh, nothin’ in the world gonna get me down / ‘Cause I’m headin’ out I’m headin’ south / Gonna keep on truckin’ ’til I die”
- Later verses acknowledge challenges (“Sometimes you bend, sometimes you break”) but maintain a positive outlook (“Keep your eyes upon the prize / Hold on fast, it won’t be long / ‘Til you find yourself a home”).
LeDoux’s Version
LeDoux’s rendition injects a strong dose of country music spirit with his signature vocals and a driving rhythm section. This, along with the relatable themes, is what likely resonated deeply with audiences and solidified the song’s place as a country classic.
Video
Lyrics
Life’s like a road that you travel onOne day here and the next day goneSometimes you bend, sometimes you standSometimes you turn your back to the wind
There’s a world outside every darkened doorWhere blues won’t haunt you anymoreWhere the brave are free and lovers soarCome ride with me to the distant shore
We won’t hesitateBreak down the garden gateThere’s not much time left today
Life is a highwayI wanna ride it all night longIf you’re goin’ my wayI wanna drive it all night long
Through all these cities and all these townsIt’s in my blood and it’s all aroundI love you now like I loved you thenThis is the road and these are the hands
Tennessee to those L.A. nightsSan Anton to the Vegas lightsKnock me down, back up againYou’re in my blood, I’m not a lonely man
There’s no load I can’t holdRoad so rough, this I knowI’ll be there when the lights come inJust tell ’em we’re survivors
Life is a highwayI wanna ride it all night longIf you’re goin’ my wayI wanna drive it all night long
There was a distance between you and IA misunderstanding once but nowWe look it in the eye
There ain’t no load I can’t holdRoad so rough this I knowI’ll be there when the lights come inJust tell ’em we’re survivors
Life is a highwayI wanna ride it all night longIf you’re goin’ my wayI wanna drive it all night long
Life is a highwayI wanna ride it all night longIf you’re goin’ my wayI wanna drive it all night long