Cochrane was born in Lynn Lake, Manitoba to Violet and Tuck Cochrane, a bush pilot. The family relocated to Etobicoke, Ontario in the West Deane Park area when Tom was four years old. He purchased his first guitar at age 11 by selling a toy train set. He attended Martingrove Collegiate Institute in the 1960's. In the early 1970s, he was performing in coffee houses across Canada. He eventually made his way to Los Angeles where he found a job writing theme music for My Pleasure is My Business, a Xaviera Hollander movie. Unable to find steady income from music, Cochrane returned to Toronto where he drove a taxi cab and later took a job on a Caribbean cruise liner to help pay the bills. Cochrane went back to Los Angeles in 1976, trying to sell his songs to publishers but without success, and returned to Toronto in 1977. Cochrane walked into the El Mocambo club one night in Toronto and came across a band of locals calling themselves Red Rider. After an audition, they agreed to Cochrane joining the band as lead singer and songwriter, a decision that would change their musical careers.
After the Red Rider era, Cochrane set off on his soloist path again. In 1990, Cochrane took his family to West Africa where he helped to raise awareness and money for the World Vision famine relief organization. That experience shaped his next album Mad Mad World which contained the internationally acclaimed hit single "Life is a Highway".
The three-CD box set Ashes to Diamonds, including material by both Red Rider and Cochrane as a solo artist, was released in 1993.
In 1995, he released Ragged Ass Road and followed that with a Canadian tour in 1996. The tour resulted in Songs of a Circling Spirit, a live CD and multi-media package of previously released material.
In June 1999, Cochrane was involved in a light plane crash in Montreal, after his plane's engine stalled just after take-off. Fortunately, no one was injured.
At the 2003 Juno Awards, Tom Cochrane was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The special award ceremony took place April 5, 2003 at Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec. According to the Life Is a Highway Songfacts, his other honors include seven Juno Awards, being an Honorary Colonel in the Canadian Air Force, and having been inducted onto the Canadian Walk of Fame. They take their rock stars seriously in Canada.
In December 2003 he was one of the musical guests on a CBC special called, Rick Mercer's Christmas in Kabul.
He currently lives with his family in Oakville, Ontario.
On July 2, 2005, Cochrane took part in the Live 8 concert series.
Cochrane's new album "No Stranger" recorded in rural Ontario was released in October 2006.
"Life Is A Highway" was re-made in 2006 by the country band Rascal Flatts for the motion picture "Cars" and became a successful country single.
Friendly Advice
Tom Cochrane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She says that we've grown apart
I know a thing or two I speak from the heart
Don't insult me with what your friends say
After all that we've been through
You'd owe that to me like I'd owe that to you
So go your own way and in time you'll see
Exactly who your best friend was
And your wise friends might say
This is how we survive
But I know in my own mind
Can't you see it's a clever disguise
This friendly advice
We'd come such a long, long way
I don't give a damn, baby what they say
Your mind is full of wonders and that's okay
Didn't mean to lay your dreams so low
And now you've made your choice
I believe in my heart I know you like nobody else
I know in my mind, in time you'll see
Exactly who your real friend was
And your jive friends might say
This is how we survive
But I know in my own mind
Can't you see it's a clever disguise?
I saw a film just the other day
About two people who had reminded me of us
It's funny in this age of illusion
It's hard to tell what's fact or fiction, whoa
Friendly advice
And your jive friends might say
This is how we survive
But I know in my own mind
Can't you see it's a clever disguise
That it's only friendly advice
And I hope that you'll see in time
Just who your best friend was, baby
Friendly advice, oh
Friendly advice
I don't need it
Ooh
Friendly advice
I don't, I don't, I don't need it
Ooh
Friendly advice
I don't, I don't, I don't need it
Friendly advice
Tom Cochrane's song "Friendly Advice" talks about a relationship that is on the verge of ending, with the two people involved realizing that they have grown apart. The first verse begins with the man saying that the woman wants a brand new start, and in contrast, he knows from his heart that they have been through much, and their friends should not downgrade their relationship with unsolicited advice. He also tells the woman that she should not take what her friends say to heart as they don't know what they have both experienced. In the second verse, Cochrane talks about how he's not worried about what other people say because he knows that the woman he loves is different, and no one knows her better than he does. He knows that in time, she will realize that he was the one who stood by her side and spoke the truth.
Cochrane's chorus in "Friendly Advice" focuses on the phrase "friendly advice." He points out that friends may give advice, but sometimes things aren't what they seem. The singer knows what he's saying is the truth, and he can see through the clever veils others throw up. The song's bridge talks about how in this day and age, it's challenging to tell the difference between fact and fiction, reminding the listener that sometimes it takes a deeper look to discover what others are trying to say.
Line by Line Meaning
He says you want a brand new start
He acknowledges that you might be looking for a fresh start.
She says that we've grown apart
She thinks your relationship is no longer what it used to be.
I know a thing or two I speak from the heart
He speaks from personal experience and genuine concern.
Don't insult me with what your friends say
He doesn't want to hear hearsay or second-hand opinions from others.
After all that we've been through
He values the history and shared experiences you both have.
You'd owe that to me like I'd owe that to you
He believes in mutual respect, honesty, and communication in a relationship.
So go your own way and in time you'll see
He encourages you to follow your own path and discover the truth for yourself.
Exactly who your best friend was
He trusts that you'll eventually learn who your true ally was.
And your wise friends might say
He acknowledges that others might offer well-meaning but unsolicited advice.
This is how we survive
He recognizes that there are different ways to cope with difficult situations and move forward.
But I know in my own mind
He trusts his own judgment and intuition.
Can't you see it's a clever disguise
He suspects that the friendly advice might be just a façade to hide ulterior motives.
We'd come such a long, long way
He remembers the progress and milestones achieved in your relationship.
I don't give a damn, baby what they say
He doesn't care about gossip or rumors spread by others.
Your mind is full of wonders and that's okay
He appreciates your uniqueness and quirks, and accepts you for who you are.
Didn't mean to lay your dreams so low
He apologizes for not supporting or encouraging your aspirations enough.
And now you've made your choice
He accepts that you've made a decision and respect your autonomy.
I believe in my heart I know you like nobody else
He trusts that he knows you better than anyone else and has your best interests at heart.
I know in my mind, in time you'll see
He has faith that you'll eventually realize the truth of the situation.
Exactly who your real friend was
He believes that you'll discover the identity of your true supporter.
And your jive friends might say
He refers to acquaintances who might act superficial or insincere.
I saw a film just the other day
He shares a recent experience that reminded him of your relationship.
About two people who had reminded me of us
He draws a parallel between the movie plot and your story.
It's funny in this age of illusion
He comments on the prevalence of deception, falsehoods, or delusions in contemporary society.
It's hard to tell what's fact or fiction, whoa
He finds it challenging to differentiate between truth and fiction, especially in matters of the heart.
Friendly advice
He repeats the refrain and hints at his skepticism towards some advice-givers.
And I hope that you'll see in time
He wishes that you'll eventually comprehend the truth of the situation.
Just who your best friend was, baby
He reminds you of the importance of discerning who truly supports and cares for you.
I don't need it
He concludes with a declaration that he doesn't require any unsolicited advice or pretense.
Ooh
He adds a musical embellishment to signify the end of the song.
Friendly advice
He repeats the refrain one last time to emphasize his point.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Thomas William Cochrane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind