The High Road

Broken Bells' song 'The High Road' delves into the complexities of life choices and the struggle to find a righteous path amidst chaos and confusion. The lyrics paint a picture of a tumultuous journey, where the protagonist is bound to wait all night and face the uncertainty of whether their efforts will lead to a meaningful outcome. The phrase 'The high road is hard to find' serves as a central metaphor, suggesting that making morally sound decisions is often challenging and elusive.

The song's imagery, such as 'The Garden is sorting out' and 'A soldier is bailing out,' evokes a sense of disarray and the search for order in a chaotic world. The Garden could symbolize a place of potential growth and harmony, while the soldier represents someone who is weary and disillusioned by the constant battles they face. The recurring theme of 'to each his own' highlights the individual nature of these struggles, emphasizing that everyone must navigate their own path.

The chorus, with lines like 'Come on and get the minimum' and 'Collect it at the borderline,' suggests a sense of urgency and the need to seize opportunities, even if they are minimal. The mention of an 'overdose' and the desire to 'get up in your head' points to the pressures and influences that can cloud one's judgment. Ultimately, the song reflects on the difficulty of making the right choices and the impact of external forces on our decisions. The closing lines, 'It's too late to change your mind, you let laws be your guide,' underscore the finality of certain decisions and the consequences of adhering to societal norms or personal rules.