On this early Audioslave track, frontman Chris Cornell is claiming his self-worth after being taken for granted in his relationships. "I am not your rolling wheels, I am the highway," he sings. He determines the only person he can rely on is himself, but the road to independence is a long one: "I put millions of miles under my heels, and still too close to you I feel."
Ann Wilson of Heart recorded this for her 2018 album, Immortal. The collection of cover songs paid tribute to musicians who recently died (Cornell committed suicide in 2017). Wilson connects "I Am The Highway" to Cornell's inability to deal with fame. She told Tone Deaf: "The expectations that were put on him being the voice of a generation and a superstar of the 90's and 2000's and stuff was too much for him."
Lyrics
Pearls and swine bereft of me
Long and weary my road has been
I was lost in the cities, alone in the hills
No sorrow or pity for leaving, I feel, yeah
I am not your rolling wheels – I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride – I am the sky
Friends and liars don't wait for me
'Cause I'll get on all by myself
I put millions of miles under my heels
And still too close to you, I feel, yeah
I am not your rolling wheels – I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride – I am the sky
I am not your blowing wind – I am the lightning
I am not your autumn moon – I am the night... the night
Yeah!
I am not your rolling wheels – I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride – I am the sky
Well
I am not your blowing wind – I am the lightning
I am not your autumn moon – I am the night... the night
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
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