Wreck On The Highway

Album: The River (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title came from a 1944 Roy Acuff song of the same name.
  • The lyrics are about a man who confronts his mortality when he discovers a car accident on a country road. Springsteen explained in his book Songs: "On a rainy highway the character witnesses a fatal accident. He drives home, and lying awake that night next to his lover, he realizes you have a limited number of opportunities to love someone, to do your work, to be a part of something, to parent your children, to do something good."
  • This is the last song on The River, a double album containing a mix of emotional ballads and uptempo rockers.

Comments: 2

  • Christine Fox Vilmont from IllinoisThis song grabbed me. I’m staying out in the country on farm where all there is-is county highways and roads. It fits this area. The tone and melody are fabulous and the songs makes you take a look at how short life can be and how precious that time is. Also how we all need each other and we in difficult times.
  • Kevin from Auckland, New ZealandThe song that first hooked me on bruce..full of low key emotion and very much the song of a loner.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.