Hope the High Road

Album: The Nashville Sound (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The lead single from The Nashville Sound finds Jason Isbell lamenting the current divisive social climate and the exhaustion many Americans felt since the acrimonious election of Donald Trump.

    I know you're tired and you ain't sleeping well
    Uninspired and likely mad as hell
    But wherever you are, I hope the high road leads you home again


    "I try to document where I am in my life, and right now, one of my primary concerns is, 'What is my role as a white male in a society that really is in dire need of understanding and empathy for people who aren't white males?'" Isbell told Entertainment Weekly.

    The singer added that he hopes the message resonates and people refrain from over-reacting. "I want [listeners] to feel encouraged to be vigilant but to still stay classy, for Christ's sake," Isbell said. "If you're doing too much yelling and too much screaming and acting out of frustration, you're not effecting change in any positive way."

Comments: 2

  • Hilda Butcher from 25133I have just discovered the song Hope the High Road by Jason Isbell. It is a great Song.
  • Colleen Bussey from Brighton Michigan Funny I thought this song was current with the Trump supporters viewpoint. Regardless let’s argue on a high road not in the ditch.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.