| "Highway Song" | |
|---|---|
| Single byAlex Taylor | |
| from the albumWith Friends and Neighbors | |
| B-side | "C Song" |
| Released | 1971 |
| Genre | Folk Rock |
| Length | 3:17 |
| Label | Capricorn Records |
| Songwriter | James Taylor |
| Producer | Johnny Sandlin |
| "Highway Song" | |
|---|---|
| Song byJames Taylor | |
| from the albumMud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon | |
| Released | 1971 |
| Recorded | 1971 |
| Genre | Folk rock |
| Length | 3:51 |
| Label | Warner Bros. Records |
| Songwriter | James Taylor |
| Producer | Peter Asher |
"Highway Song" is a song written byJames Taylor. It was first released by James Taylor's brotherAlex Taylor on his 1971 albumWith Friends and Neighbors and as the lead single from the album. It was also released by James Taylor later that year on his albumMud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon.
Taylor wrote "Highway Song" in 1970 and he began playing it in live concerts during 1970, well before the release onMudslide Slim and the New Horizon.[1][2]
Rolling Stone critic Ben Gerson contrasts "Highway Song" with another song onMudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon, "Mud Slide Slim," by noting that "Highway Song" provides "a more philosophical, realistic analysis" by acknowledging that "a person chooses his circumstances as much as circumstances choose him."[3] The song describes a journey, in which the highway represents punishment but also, according to Gerson, "has an irresistable [sic], sinister allure."[3] According to Taylor biographer Timothy White, the song was inspired by the difficult traveling Taylor had to do now since becoming a star musician with the release of his first two albums, as well his own confusion about being the center of attention in his family at the time his brothers and sister were also embarking on musical careers.[4]Los Angeles Times columnistDan Neil links Taylor's "Highway Song" withBruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" as songs of "wanderlust," in which the road is used as ametaphor for the replacement of adventure and faith for security and certainty.[5] Author Grace Lichtenstein describedGram Parson's "Grievous Angel" as being a "first cousin" to "Highway Song" in its "lament about purposelessness and need for love."[6]
The lyrics begin with the lines "Father let us build a boat and sail away/There's nothing for you here/And brother let us throw our lot out upon the sea/It's been done before."[3][4] Gerson describes this as "a brief, Biblical introduction, as ifNoah were preparing for theDeluge."[3] White regards this introduction as a continuation of a theme from Taylor's earlier song "Country Road," in which problems are resolved by going away.[4] Another line from the song is "Sweet misunderstanding won't you leave a poor boy alone."[4] This line referred to many misunderstandings that were accumulating around Taylor in his first exposure to fame, and particularly the misunderstanding by many listeners that the line "Won't you look down upon meJesus" from his popular song "Fire and Rain" was meant in afundamentalist Christian context.[4] Gerson points out that although the lyrics refer to traveling on the highway, the title "Highway Song" refers to a song he says he heard along the way, and not to the lyrics of the song itself, making this ametasong.[3]
A simple, repeatedfigure (music) predominates themelody.[3] According to Gerson, this "contributes to the sense ofSisyphean doom."[3] Gerson also points out that the song's "swoopingbass line," played byLeland Sklar on James Taylor's recording, also contributes to the song's sense of inescapable despair.[3]
Billboard described "Highway Song" as one of James Taylor's best songs.[7] Critic Al Rudis described it as "great" song, while preferring Alex Taylor's version to James'.[8]
Alex Taylor released "Highway Song" onWith Friends and Neighbors and as a single prior to the release of his brother James' version.[8]Billboard predicted that the single would perform well on theBillboard Hot 100 despite being Taylor's debut single.[9] It did get strong radio play on some stations, such asWNUR-FM.[10] Alex' version excludes the opening lines from James' version about the father and brother sailing out to sea.Rolling Stone criticTimothy Crouse stated that Alex's singing of the "Sweet misunderstanding won't you leave a poor boy alone" line revealed his "blues streak."[11] Rudis preferred Alex's version to James' on the basis of its greater passion and what Rudis regarded as a "nicer ending."[8]Record World said that "Alex Taylor is actually talented and shines on this one penned by brother James" and called the single "quality listening."[12]Tuscaloosa News editor Ben Windham compared Alex's version toBrook Benton's rendition of "Rainy Night in Georgia," citing the "deep soul singing, sparse instrumental backing" and its use ofstring instruments.[13] Fred Kirby ofBillboard described it as having a "rusticblues feel.[14]