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 on
One day here and the next day gone Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand Sometimes you turn your back to the windThere’s a world outside every darkened door
Where blues won’t haunt you anymore Where the brave are free and lovers soar Come ride with me to the distant shoreWe won’t hesitate
Break down the garden gate There’s not much time left todayLife is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long If you’re goin’ my way I wanna drive it all night longThrough all these cities and all these towns
It’s in my blood and it’s all around I love you now like I loved you then This is the road and these are the handsTennessee to those L.A. nights
San Anton to the Vegas lights Knock me down, back up again You’re in my blood, I’m not a lonely manThere’s no load I can’t hold
Road so rough, this I know I’ll be there when the lights come in Just tell ’em we’re survivorsLife is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long If you’re goin’ my way I wanna drive it all night longThere was a distance between you and I
A misunderstanding once but now We look it in the eyeThere ain’t no load I can’t hold
Road so rough this I know I’ll be there when the lights come in Just tell ’em we’re survivorsLife is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long If you’re goin’ my way I wanna drive it all night longLife is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long If you’re goin’ my way I wanna drive it all night long