She toured as back-up singer for Cohen in 1979 and 1980 and again in 2008 and 2009. They collaborated on writing his much acclaimed songs "Everybody Knows" and "Waiting for the Miracle", released in 1988 and 1992 respectively. In 2001 she co-wrote, produced, arranged and performed the backing tracks (as well as appearing alongside Cohen on the cover) for his album Ten New Songs. Robinson also contributed to three tracks on Cohen's 2004 album Dear Heather, and duetted with Cohen on "The Letters".
She was awarded a Grammy in 1985 for the song "New Attitude" (from the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack), recorded by Patti LaBelle.
In 2004, Sharon Robinson gave a full-length interview discussing her life, career and work with Leonard Cohen (available on her site).
In 2005, Robinson's new song "The High Road" was performed by Bettye LaVette on her album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise, which was picked as #59 at Amazon's best of 2005 Editor's picks. Robinson's recent work also includes the songs written for Chris Botti.
In 2008, Robinson is scheduled to release her debut solo album Invisible Tattoo, which will include three songs she co-wrote with Cohen: "Alexandra Leaving," "Everybody Knows," and "Summertime." The set will also include "The High Road."
The High Road
Sharon Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I try to live my life by the golden rule
If you don't love me
What am I supposed to do
I'll take the high road and walk on away from you
I'll find me an angel
To lift me up in time
Which speaks my bitter mind
I'll try to forgive myself
For not heeding all the signs
Oh, I'll take the high road
And walk away one last time
I'll wipe away the tears
'Cause I know darn well I've tried
I'll look inside myself
For the part that was mine
I ain't gonna try to hurt ya back or lie and say I didn't care
I'll just take the high road
And walk away from here
My heart is battered, my soul is bruised
My face is wearing that same false smile, I used to use
I put my feelings under lock and key
Oh, and take the high road
And walk on away quietly
I'll pack up my pride and go somewhere far
You can't blame somebody
For who they really are
But what you've done to me, you know it just ain't fair
I ain't gonna bitch about it, 'cause I know sure well, it just ain't there
I'll walk away with my head held high, forgive and forget
Uh-uh daddy not this time
I'll keep looking for my angel
And I know I'll be just fine
Oh stayin on the high road
And walking away last time
In Sharon Robinson's song "The High Road," Robinson sings of finding the courage and strength to walk away from a relationship that is not serving her. She refuses to be a victim, a beggar, or a fool, and instead chooses to live her life by the golden rule. If her partner does not love her, there is nothing she can do, and she must take the high road and walk away from them. Robinson has seen the signs and knows that it is time to pack up her pride and go somewhere far.
In the second verse, Robinson describes how she will try to forgive herself for not heeding all of the signs in the relationship. She will look for an angel to lift her up in time and try to listen for the voice that speaks her bitter mind. She will wipe away the tears and look inside herself to find the part that was hers. She will not try to hurt her partner back or lie and say she didn't care; she will just take the high road and walk away.
Overall, "The High Road" is a song about the importance of self-respect and the courage to walk away from relationships that no longer serve us. It is a reminder that it is okay to put ourselves first and set boundaries, even if it means letting go of something we once held dear.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't be a victim, a beggar, a fool
I refuse to be taken advantage of or made to feel inferior.
I try to live my life by the golden rule
I aim to treat others the way I want to be treated.
If you don't love me
If you don't have genuine feelings for me,
What am I supposed to do
I can't force you to feel a certain way, so I must make decisions based on this reality.
I'll take the high road and walk on away from you
I will choose to take the path that is honorable and remove myself from this situation.
I'll find me an angel
I will search for someone who will lift me up and provide me with support.
To lift me up in time
This person will be a source of comfort and hope for me in the future.
I'll listen for the voice
I will pay attention to my innermost thoughts and feelings.
Which speaks my bitter mind
I will confront the negative emotions that I am experiencing and try to move past them.
I'll try to forgive myself
I will attempt to be kind to myself and not blame myself for what has transpired.
For not heeding all the signs
I recognize that there were warning signs in this situation that I did not pay attention to.
Oh, I'll take the high road
I will behave with dignity and grace, even if it is difficult.
And walk away one last time
This will mark the end of my involvement in this situation.
I'll wipe away the tears
I will try to regain my composure and not let my emotions get the best of me.
'Cause I know darn well I've tried
I understand that I have done everything I can do given the circumstances.
I'll look inside myself
I will do some self-reflection to understand my part in what has happened.
For the part that was mine
I will take responsibility for my actions and try to learn from my mistakes.
I ain't gonna try to hurt ya back or lie and say I didn't care
I will not retaliate or try to cause harm or suffering.
I'll just take the high road
I will choose to be the better person and not let others bring me down to their level.
And walk away from here
I will physically distance myself from this situation and move on.
My heart is battered, my soul is bruised
I am emotionally wounded and hurting from the events that have transpired.
My face is wearing that same false smile, I used to use
I am putting on a brave face and pretending that everything is okay, even though I am struggling.
I put my feelings under lock and key
I am trying to suppress my emotions and not let them show.
Oh, and take the high road
I will choose to act in a way that is honorable, even when it is difficult.
And walk on away quietly
I will leave this situation behind in a calm and peaceful manner.
I'll pack up my pride and go somewhere far
I will swallow my pride and remove myself from this situation entirely.
You can't blame somebody
It is not fair or productive to place blame on others.
For who they really are
People are who they are, and I cannot change that.
But what you've done to me, you know it just ain't fair
I recognize that there has been injustice done to me in this situation.
I ain't gonna bitch about it, 'cause I know sure well, it just ain't there
I will not complain or dwell on the situation, because it will not change anything.
I'll walk away with my head held high, forgive and forget
I will choose to be the bigger person and move on, even if it is difficult.
Uh-uh daddy not this time
I have learned from my past experiences and will not make the same mistake again.
I'll keep looking for my angel
I will continue to search for someone who will provide me with love and support.
And I know I'll be just fine
I am optimistic about my future and believe that everything will work out for the best.
Oh stayin on the high road
I will continue to act in a way that is honorable, even when it is difficult.
And walking away last time
I am ready to move on from this situation for good.
Contributed by Brooklyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.