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72 (This Highway's Mean) Lyrics
Don't know why they even bother putting this highway on the map
Everybody that's ever been on it knows exactly where they're at
Hells on both ends of it
And no where's in between
This highway's mean
Seems like it's always hot down here, no matter when you come
It's the kind of heat that holds you like a mama holds her son
Tight when he tries to walk, even tighter if he runs
It's a mean old dusty highway
But it's the only one that'll get you there
That'll get you there
Mean old highway
Stuck to the ground in Mississippi
It's the one'll set me free
It's the same one that I see
Being ripped up off the ground and wrapped around me
Don't let it fool you this highway's mean
I don't need a map to tell me where I am today
This feeling that I have has always led the way
Down here, you're running from a broken heart
Or to a heart that you have to break on this mean old highway
Everybody that's ever been on it knows exactly where they're at
Hells on both ends of it
And no where's in between
This highway's mean
It's the kind of heat that holds you like a mama holds her son
Tight when he tries to walk, even tighter if he runs
It's a mean old dusty highway
But it's the only one that'll get you there
That'll get you there
Stuck to the ground in Mississippi
It's the one'll set me free
It's the same one that I see
Being ripped up off the ground and wrapped around me
Don't let it fool you this highway's mean
This feeling that I have has always led the way
Down here, you're running from a broken heart
Or to a heart that you have to break on this mean old highway
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I love this song. It's pretty simple, but it's still great. I live in South Florida, and anybody from here can tell you the part that sucks most about traveling to other parts of the country is the drive through Florida, since it's so damned long. Anyways, the main highway I live on goes all the way up the state and I both hate it and love it. When you're leaving, the highway has almost an ominous feel...you're leaving your comfort zone. But when you're returning, when you get within an hour or two from your hometown, you start to feel normal again...you kind of get that "there's no place like home" feeling. But it sucks in a way when you realize that, because of this feeling of comfort, you'll never leave, no matter how bad things get there for you and how good it could be somewhere else. I'm stuck here, and as long as this highway may be, I'm never going to go more than an hour in either direction on it. All of your fears of the outside world and the unknown materialize right there on that highway leaving town.
Holy shit, man...that was deep. Honestly, thanks. I find this very interesting. I sort've understand what you mean having conflicting feelings. I guess we all have our "No place like home" areas that tell us we're coming back to familiar ground, but I couldn't imagine such 'mean old highway' like you describe. That's sad in a way that this makes you feel like you could never leave. I'm not tearing you down, trust me I'm a small town country boy myself, from Wisconsin and now living on the east coast. I just find...
Holy shit, man...that was deep. Honestly, thanks. I find this very interesting. I sort've understand what you mean having conflicting feelings. I guess we all have our "No place like home" areas that tell us we're coming back to familiar ground, but I couldn't imagine such 'mean old highway' like you describe. That's sad in a way that this makes you feel like you could never leave. I'm not tearing you down, trust me I'm a small town country boy myself, from Wisconsin and now living on the east coast. I just find it really fascinating that you believe these stretches of road are like prisons in a way. Bruce Springsteen must've touched upon this issue in a few songs.
Highway 72. It goes through North Alabama from Tennessee to Mississippi. There are tons of little towns along the way, but that is about it. Everybody in those little towns (ones that feel like God has forgotten) dreams of getting out of those towns when they are kids, but most never do for one reason or another. Its not just the highway that keeps him there. Its also about a southern mother---the matriarch--who rules the roost in the family. Out of some sense of respect the children allow them to run their lives and the more they try to break away, the more she holds on. The harder you try to have your own life, the more miserable she makes it. I know of at least two of these mothers. Both live in Alabama. Until I experienced it, I really didn't get it, but if one of the children in those families ever moved away from town, they would be considered the "black sheep". Because in those people's lives there is nothing in the whole world that is more important than family. Not even your dreams or happiness. Family comes first.
I completely agree. This song is one of my favorites. As much as he thinks he hates that god-forsaken hometown highway, it's the one that will set him free. I love the imagery of that same road wrapped around him, like a freaking blanket. I think we've all been there before. YIKES, what great lyrics.