The Pixar film Cars introduced “Life Is a Highway” to Cars audiences.
The version heard during the film was recorded by Canadian country-rock musician Rascal Flatts. It plays over a lively travel sequence as Lightning McQueen and Mack travel toward the Piston Cup event, helping establish the film’s road-trip atmosphere.
“Life Is a Highway” was originally written and recorded by Canadian singer Tom Cochrane in 1991. Rascal Flatts released its cover in 2006, and that recording became strongly associated with Cars after appearing on the film’s soundtrack.
The song is sometimes mistakenly attributed to Rascal Flatts as the original composition. They performed the well-known Cars version, but Cochrane wrote and first recorded the song. The soundtrack also includes original music by Randy Newman and songs by other artists.