Highway 20 Ride
Zac Brown Band Lyrics


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I ride east every other Friday but if I had it my way
A day would not be wasted on this drive
And I want so bad to hold you
Son, there's things I haven't told you
Your mom and me couldn't get along

So I'll drive
And I'll think about my life and wonder why
That I slowly die inside
Every time I turn that truck around right at the Georgia line
And I count the days and the miles back home to you
On that Highway 20 ride

A day might come you'll realize that if you see through my eyes
There was no other way to work it out
And a part of you might hate me
But son, please don't mistake me
For the man that didn't care at all

And I'll drive
And I'll think about my life and wonder why
That I slowly die inside
Every time I turn that truck around right at the Georgia line
And I count the days and the miles back home to you
On that Highway 20 ride

So when you drive and the years go flying by
I hope you smile if I ever cross your mind
It was a pleasure of my life and I cherished every time
And my whole world it begins and ends with you
On that Highway 20 ride
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, 20 ride
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, 20 ride
Whoa-oh-oh-oh (highway 20 ride)




Whoa-oh-oh-oh (and I'll ride)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh

Overall Meaning

Highway 20 Ride by Zac Brown Band is a heart-wrenching song about the struggles of a divorced parent who's driving to pick up his child every other Friday. The song starts with the father expressing his desire to hold his child and his sadness about the fact that the drive takes up so much of his time. It is revealed that the reason for the divorce is that the mother and he "just couldn't get along."


The chorus of the song talks about the struggle of turning his truck around every time he reaches the Georgia line, which signifies his moving away from his child. He counts every day and mile back to his child on that Highway 20 ride. The second verse details his hope that one day his child will understand that he did what he had to do and that he still cares for him. He implores his child not to mistake him for a man who didn't care.


Overall, this song is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices divorced parents make, and the pain they feel at having to be away from their children.



Line by Line Meaning

I ride east every other Friday but if I had it my way
I wish I didn't have to take this long journey every other Friday, but if I had a choice, I wouldn't go at all.


Days would not be wasted on this drive
I feel like the time spent driving is a waste of precious days.


And I want so bad to hold you
I miss you so much and wish I could hold you.


Some of the things I haven't told you
There are things I haven't shared with you yet.


Your mom and me just couldn't get along
Your mom and I couldn't work out our differences and it led to our separation.


So I'll drive
I'll keep driving despite my thoughts and emotions.


And I'll think about my life
I'll reflect on my life while driving.


And wonder why, I'll slowly die inside
I'll question my decisions and regret the pain that I'm experiencing inside.


Every time I turn that truck around, right at the Georgia line
Every time I reach the Georgia line, I feel a sense of disappointment and heartache.


And I count the days and the miles back home to you on that Highway 20 ride
As I drive on Highway 20, I think about the days and miles until I can be with you again.


A day might come and you'll realize that if you could see through my eyes
One day, you may understand my perspective if you could see things from my point of view.


There was no other way to work it out
We couldn't work things out any other way.


And a part of you might hate me
You may have some negative feelings towards me.


But son please don't mistake me For a man that didn't care at all
Despite any misunderstandings, please know that I do care about you deeply.


So when you drive
When you start driving on your own.


And the years go flying by
As time passes by quickly.


I hope you smile
I hope that you're happy and can smile.


If I ever cross your mind
If you ever think of me.


It was a pleasure of my life
Being in your life was a great joy for me.


And I cherished every time
I treasured every moment we shared together.


And my whole world
You are my entire world.


It begins and ends with you
Everything in my life revolves around you.


Woo-ooh-ooh-ooh, 20 ride
Refrain of the song.


And I'll ride
I'll keep driving, even though it's tough.




Lyrics © BLACKSTONE ENTERTAINMENT, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Zachry Alexander Brown, Wyatt Durrette

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

David Swärm

This part always brings tears in my eyes:

So when you drive
And the years go flying by
I hope you smile
If I ever cross your mind
It was a pleasure of my life
And I cherished every time
And my whole world
It begins and ends with you
On that Highway 20 ride

Thank you Zac and the Band for an amazing song!



All comments from YouTube:

Jeff Stewart

One of the greatest songs in history!!! Every time I try to sing it, I think of not being in my daughter's life every single day and I cry.

2VCrew

Just dropped my 16 year old boy off. Been making this 150 mile round trip every other weekend since he was 2. He will be 17 this summer and getting his license in a few weeks. It’s been one hell of ride buddy, worth every mile. Love You Son ❤️

joyce moss

he is truly blessed!

Anne’s Faves

You should feel really proud! I’ve worked with families for 20+ years.
There SO MANY Dad’s out there that don’t care 😥

2VCrew

@Anne’s Faves Thank You I appreciate the kind words. I wish every dad would step up and be in their child’s life in some meaningful way.

dominicroman3

Salute brother. I did it for years and it hurt so bad leaving every. Single. Time. He’ll always remember the songs and conversations and will soon understand many dads didn’t bother but you did.

2VCrew

@dominicroman3 Salute to your too brother. Godspeed on your journey ❤️

34 More Replies...

Aidan Mutawe

I remember being a little kid, and liking this song but not really understanding the message. Now I'm 15, and I realize that this song is the very definition of me and my Dad's relationship. I was 2 years old when my parents separated, and I grew up being with my Dad on Saturdays supervised by my grandparents. My mom raised me, and tried to make me hate him, but now I realize the real man he is, and that none of what she said is true. I just really want to thank my dad for sticking around because he could've easily exited my life forever, but no, he decided to be a dad and raise his son the best he could with the limitations he was given. I just really want to thank my dad for making that "highway 20 ride" every Saturday when I was I kid to be with me.

The Devil

I’m almost 32 an same. On this exact highway same story in a lot of regards with my mother and all.

Jack Mason Live

you brought tears to my eye, kid!! you came to the right conclusion!! proud of you.

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