Life Is a Highway
Tom Petty Lyrics
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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
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 know 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
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
Misunderstanding once but now we look it in the eye
There's no load I can't hold road so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in 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
Tom Petty's Life is a Highway is a song that reflects on the journey of life. The song compares life to a road that we all travel on, where some days are good and others are bad. Petty sings about the different twists and turns, the highs and lows, and the unexpected events that we encounter, but emphasizes the importance of moving forward and not giving up. He suggests that sometimes we need to turn away from the difficulties and find a better path, a world outside every darkened door where we can be free and no longer haunted by the blues. The song encourages us to embrace and enjoy the journey of life, to hold on to the important people and moments, and to keep driving towards our destination.
Throughout the song, the lyrics bring in various places around the world, from Mozambique to Memphis to Vancouver, illustrating that life's journey takes us through many different cities and towns. In this way, the song becomes a celebration of the diverse and varied experiences life has to offer. Regardless of where we come from or where we are headed, we are all on the same road, trying to navigate the ups and downs of life.
The chorus of the song serves as a reminder to live life to the fullest, to persevere through the tough times and appreciate the good moments, and also expresses the desire to share that journey with someone else. The repeated emphasis on wanting to experience the journey with someone else emphasizes the importance of human connection and support as we travel through life's twists and turns.
Line by Line Meaning
Life's like a road that you travel on
Life is a journey with ups and downs.
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Time passes by quickly.
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
You may have to adjust or endure challenges along the way.
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
Sometimes you have to face adversity and persevere.
There's a world outside every darkened door
There are opportunities everywhere.
Where blues won't haunt you anymore
A place where sadness and negativity won't hold you down.
Where the brave are free and lovers soar
A place where boldness and love can flourish.
Come ride with me to the distant shore
Let's embark on an adventure together.
We won't hesitate, break down the garden gate
Let's not hold back and go for it.
There's not much time left today
Time is running out, let's make the most of it.
Through all these cities and all these towns
Life takes you to many places.
It's in my blood and it's all around
Life is a part of me and surrounds me.
I love you know like I loved you then
My love for you is as strong as ever.
This is the road and these are the hands
This is our journey and we will make it happen together.
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
From Africa to the American South, life takes us everywhere.
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights
From Asia to Canada, life takes us everywhere.
Knock me down get back up again
Even when you fall, get back up and keep going.
You're in my blood I'm not a lonely man
You are a part of me and I am never alone.
There's no load I can't hold
I can handle anything that life throws my way.
Road so rough, this I know
Life can be tough, but I am prepared to face it head on.
I'll be there when the light comes in
I will persevere through the tough times because better times are ahead.
Tell 'em we're survivors
Let others know that we have overcome and will continue to do so.
There was a distance between you and I
We were once far apart.
Misunderstanding once but now we look it in the eye
Our past issues have been resolved and we face them directly.
Life is a highway
Life is a journey full of twists and turns.
I want to ride it all night long
I want to experience all that life has to offer.
If you're going my way
If you share my goals and aspirations.
I want to drive it all night long
I want to be fully engaged in life's journey with you.
Contributed by Lincoln H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sergeylazarev4569
Summer of 1992. I am 18 years old, exchange student from Russia in Oregon, living in a farm-style house in a beautiful countryside. This song was everywhere at the time-on MTV, radio. Such a blast from the past.
@erickdaza5020
How are you doing now brother?
@sergeylazarev4569
@@erickdaza5020 quite well, my daughter is 22 now, time flies. Take care.
@PatrickRob82
Hope my home state treated you well. ✌️
@sergeylazarev4569
@@PatrickRob82 Yes, though I visited the US on many occasions afterwards, that my first travel is the fondest memory of all. The Robisons ( no n in the middle) were an excellent host family, Wendy, their mom is an exceptional lady, I've not seen her since 1993, and I hope she is doing great as well as both her son's, Bill, the young one, and Michael. I don't think Darrell is still alive, due to his age, but if he is, I wish him best of luck.
02/03/24 an update- Darrell is alive, he is 91. Found the family. Google does wonders.
@Axqu7227
Summer of 1992. I either had just been born or was about to be. 😅
@J_Patterns
I doubt anyone will read this, but when this song came out I had just turned 15 and had hair just like Tom in this video. Every time this song would come on MTV, this girl that I had a crush on would call my house phone to tell me she was thinking of me. Over 30 years later and nostalgia kicks in hard with this song. Every time I hear it I am taken back to 1992, simpler times, great time to be a teenager. No distractions from cell phones, bullying on social media, growing up too fast ect. My friend had a car and we would just cruise around other small towns with no idea what was happening, by luck we would find a town carnival, or dance at a fire hall. I had this song on cassette single and I am sure it was played hundreds of times that summer. Thanks for reading my late night flashback.
@robertshirley3422
Did you hook up or marry that gal??
@J_Patterns
@@robertshirley3422 No, unfortunately I don't remember much about her, that was 31 years ago!
@b_ird
Rock ooooon!!! 🤘