Lost Highway
Coldplay Lyrics


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I'm a rollin' stone all alone and lost
For a life of sin I have paid the cost
When I past by all the people say
Just another guy on the lost highway

Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine
And a woman's lies makes a life like mine
On the day we met, oh I went astray
I started rolling down that lost highway

I was just a lad, nearly twenty two
Neither good nor bad, just a kid like you
And now I'm lost, too late to pray
Lord I paid a cost, on the lost highway

Now boy's don't start to ramblin' round
On this road of sin are you sorrow bound
Take my advice or you'll curse the day
You started rollin' down that lost highway
You started rollin' down that lost highway

You started rollin' down that lost highway
You started rollin' down that lost highway

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Coldplay's song Lost Highway describe the story of a man who has lived a life of sin and isolation, represented by the metaphor of a "rolling stone" lost in a metaphorical lost highway. The man's regrets about his choices in life are expressed through the lyrics: "For a life of sin I have paid the cost," and "Lord I paid a cost, on the lost highway." The song speaks to a sense of being lost, both physically and spiritually, and the consequences that result from straying from a path of righteousness.


The imagery of a deck of cards and a jug of wine conveys a sense of desperation, as the man seeks solace in the bottle and in the company of a woman who lies to him. The chorus of the song serves as a warning to others, advising them not to follow the same path that the man has taken, for it is a road that will lead them to sorrow and isolation.


The song's lyrics are reflective of the country music genre, which frequently evokes themes of loss, heartbreak, and the struggle to find one's place in the world. However, Coldplay's interpretation of the genre is unique, as they blend these traditional themes with their signature atmospheric soundscapes and soaring melodies. Overall, Lost Highway speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost and disconnected, and the search for meaning and redemption.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a rollin' stone all alone and lost
I am a wanderer living a solitary life and have no direction or purpose


For a life of sin I have paid the cost
I have faced the consequences of leading a sinful life


When I past by all the people say
People see me and label me as just another lost traveler on the road


Just another guy on the lost highway
I am just one of the many people aimlessly wandering through life


Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine
All I have is my vices - gambling and alcohol - to make life tolerable


And a woman's lies makes a life like mine
I am also burdened by the lies and deceit of my romantic relationships


On the day we met, oh I went astray
The day I met someone, I was led down the wrong path and lost my way


I started rolling down that lost highway
I began a journey without a clear destination


I was just a lad, nearly twenty two
I was young and naive, with my whole life ahead of me


Neither good nor bad, just a kid like you
I was no better or worse than any other young person, just trying to figure out my path in life


And now I'm lost, too late to pray
Now I am lost and beyond the point of seeking divine intervention


Lord I paid a cost, on the lost highway
I have paid a personal price for my aimless wandering through life


Now boy's don't start to ramblin' round
Young men, don't make the same mistakes I did and wander aimlessly through life


On this road of sin are you sorrow bound
If you follow a path of wrongdoing, it will lead to sadness and regret


Take my advice or you'll curse the day
Listen to my warning, or you will one day regret your choices


You started rollin' down that lost highway
If you continue down this path, you too will become lost and aimless


You started rollin' down that lost highway
You are currently heading down a path without direction or purpose


You started rollin' down that lost highway
You are embarking on a journey he has already taken, with similar negative consequences




Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@duglife2230

Nobody tops Hank Williams Sr. when singing this song, but I must admit, Chris Martin does a pretty good job with this song.

@acsone3546

Jeff Buckley

@ChowMeinWarrior

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