About the song
“Life Is a Highway” is a celebrated anthem by Canadian singer-songwriter Tom Cochrane, released in 1991 on his album *Mad Mad World*. This iconic song captures the essence of life’s journey, using the metaphor of a highway to illustrate the ups and downs we all face. Cochrane wrote this enduring piece, infusing it with a sense of adventure and resilience that resonates with listeners around the globe.
Upon its release, “Life Is a Highway” quickly gained popularity, reaching impressive chart positions, including No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song’s infectious rhythm and uplifting lyrics have made it a favorite not just in Canada but also internationally, solidifying Cochrane’s place in rock music history.
Cochrane’s passionate delivery and the song’s anthemic chorus invite listeners to embrace life’s journey with all its twists and turns. Over the years, “Life Is a Highway” has been covered by various artists, most notably by Rascal Flatts for the soundtrack of the animated film *Cars* in 2006, which introduced the song to a new generation and further expanded its reach.
The themes of adventure, freedom, and perseverance found in “Life Is a Highway” continue to resonate with audiences today. Tom Cochrane’s ability to craft such relatable and impactful music is a testament to his artistry. Whether you’re taking a long drive or reflecting on life’s many paths, this song serves as a powerful reminder that, much like a highway, life is meant to be enjoyed and embraced, no matter where it leads.
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Lyrics
Life’s like a road that you travel on
When there’s one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
There’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 shore
We won’t hesitate break down the garden gate
There’s not much time left today
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long
Through 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 hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber pass to Vancouver’s lights
Knock me down get back up again
You’re in my blood I’m not a lonely man
There’s no load I can’t hold
Road so rough this I know
I’ll be there when the light comes in
Just tell ’em we’re survivors
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long
There was a distance between you and I
A misunderstanding once but now
We look it in the eye
There ain’t no load I can’t hold
Road so rough this I know
I’ll be there when the light comes in
Just tell ’em we’re survivors
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long
Life is a highway
I want to ride it all night long
If you’re going my way
I want to drive it all night long