Lonely Highway
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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I'm never going back to Jackson
I couldn't bear to show my face
I nearly killed you with my drinking
Wouldn't be caught dead in that place

Lonely highway, only friend
You've got me to keep you warm again
Lonely highway, don't you cry
Let me hold you in my arms tonight

And as I hurdled down the highway
Passed the factories and the graves
I think of all the years I've wasted
I think of all the years I've saved

Lonely highway, only friend
You've got me to keep you warm again





Lonely highway, don't you cry
Let me hold you in my arms tonight

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields's song Lonely Highway is a melancholic reflection on a life lived and the choices that have been made. The song is about a person who has left their hometown of Jackson, likely due to destructive behavior caused by excessive drinking, and doesn't want to return because of the shame that they feel. The singer looks back on their life as they drive down the highway, taking stock of the things they have lost over the years. The lyrics create a sense of sadness and regret, as the singer contemplates what might have been.


The refrain of the song, "Lonely highway, only friend / You've got me to keep you warm again" sets the tone for the whole song. The highway becomes a companion to the person, a source of comfort in the loneliness of the journey. The final line, "Let me hold you in my arms tonight," creates a sense of intimacy between the person and the road. The use of personification in the song creates a poetic metaphor that allows the road to take on a life of its own.


Overall, the song is an affecting meditation on the human experience, with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and missed opportunities. It reminds us that even though we may have made mistakes and lost things along the way, we can still find solace in the journey itself.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm never going back to Jackson
I can't bring myself to return to Jackson, a place that holds bad memories for me.


I couldn't bear to show my face
The embarrassment and shame I feel are too overwhelming to face the people in Jackson.


I nearly killed you with my drinking
I was once a danger to myself and others due to my excessive drinking habits.


Wouldn't be caught dead in that place
I have no desire to ever return to Jackson, even if it means losing my life.


Lonely highway, only friend
The road and my car are my only companions during my travels.


You've got me to keep you warm again
Despite being alone, the familiarity of the car and the road provide some level of comfort.


Lonely highway, don't you cry
I know that the road can be tough, but I'm here to face it head-on.


Let me hold you in my arms tonight
As I drive, I find solace in the routine and comfort of traveling on the road.


And as I hurdled down the highway
As I rapidly travel down the road, I reflect on my life and choices.


Passed the factories and the graves
The scenery around me as I drive reminds me of the life cycle and mortality of all things.


I think of all the years I've wasted
I regret the time I've lost in my life due to my bad decisions and mistakes.


I think of all the years I've saved
I also remember the times I succeeded and overcame obstacles in my life.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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