Jamey Johnson - High Cost Of Living Lyrics






I was just a normal guy
Life was just a nine to five
With bills and pressure
Piled up to the sky
She never asked
She knew I'd be
Hangin' with my wilder friends
Looking for some other way to fly

And three days straight was no big feat
Could get by with no food or sleep
And crazy was becoming my new norm

I'd pass out on the bedroom floor
And sleep right through the calm before the storm

My life was just an old routine
Every day the same damn thing
I couldn't even tell I was alive

I tell you
The high cost of livin'
Ain't nothing like the cost of livin' high

That southern Baptist parking lot
Is where I'd go to smoke my pot
Sit there in my pickup truck and pray
Staring at that giant cross
Just reminded me that I was lost
And it just never seemed to point the way

As soon as Jesus turned his back
I find my way across the track
Lookin' just to score . . . another deal
With my back against that damn eight ball
I didn't have to think or talk . . . or feel

My life was just an old routine
Every day the same damn thing
I couldn't even tell I was alive

I tell you
The high cost of livin'
Ain't nothing like the cost of livin' high

My whole life went through my head
Layin' in that motel bed
Watchin' as the cops kicked in the door

I had a job and a piece of land
My sweet wife was my best friend
But I traded that for cocaine and a whore

With my new found sobriety
I've got the time to sit and think
Of all the things I had . . . and threw away

This prison is much colder than
That one that I was locked up in just yesterday

My life is just an old routine
Every day the same damn thing
Hell I can't even tell if I'm alive

I tell you
The high cost of livin'
Ain't nothing like the cost of livin' high

I tell you
The high cost of livin'
Ain't nothing like the cost of livin' high





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Jamey Johnson High Cost Of Living Comments
  1. v.... m....

    Drugs will take you down a road you had best never had found,,,,,,,,,can we all bow our heads and give 2 seconds for all those who will die today because of drugs?? Remember when you have hit your rock bottom there is no where else to look but up,,,,,,,I was there once,,,like a million times!!! But on bended knees I asked Jesus to save my rotten soul,,,,,,,,if you are ready tell Jesus you are a sinner, tell him what you have done,,,,,with your whole heart mind soul being believe that he died for you on that cross, believe that three days later Jesus rose from death and is now sitting at the right hand side of the Father ready to intercede on your behave to the Father,,,,Jesus said that no man comes to the father except through him....

  2. R.... M....

    Really really good song and I lived it for 40 years by the grace of God I don't have to anymore 😁

  3. B.... L....

    Stalky is a method of mine. Ryan, sr and you remember

  4. J.... K....

    Isn't my brother heart is it not you must love clowns ain't we f****** funny

  5. E.... M....

    Always when something bad happens I know been there sober 20 years

  6. K.... M....

    love this song

  7. G.... M....

    Got sober in 2000 raised a family. Decided I could drink again. Got a DUI in my company truck two days ago. Lost my job and probably going to prison in two weeks. Lost my job, family, and freedom in one day.

  8. M.... G....

    Brutal truth

  9. J.... D....

    Took me 5 flat in the pen to learn this

  10. A.... S....

    Came close to loosing everything still don't know wat lies in store for me facing 4.5 months to 1.5 years county time yours truly nobody in Ohio

  11. J.... W....

    I can relate clean 15 years

  12. J.... G....

    Just had to deal with my oldest son living livning high......He is now 50 days clean and sober.....

  13. J.... B....

    Been there done that. Clean 20 years now

  14. E.... G....

    Truest and purest life story put to music.

  15. T.... H....

    Wow! Right between the eyes - this man is an ARTIST!!

  16. V.... R....

    My son deacatied this song to me because of my past

  17. M.... L....

    Where did Jamey disappear to??

  18. C.... F....

    this song was all i could think bout when i was locked up

  19. N.... M....

    It will grind you down like a pencil in a electric pencil sharpener, not worth all your happiness! To anyone struggling, it a process it takes time remember to be good to your self.

  20. T.... S....

    Never been an addict but respect the ones who were but kicked the habbit.Still love this song.

  21. G.... N....

    Love this song and I don’t condone drug use but there is nothing wrong with smoking pot

  22. J.... J....

    Been there,it SUCKS!!! STILL Battling..
    Chi town

  23. t.... ....

    drugs call my name  even after one year

  24. c.... k....

    last night I called every phone number. I could every friend. my brother, my best friend. my next door neighbor. new friends old friends. I I called 13. then I called a preacher on tv. hardware store. could not find any one to talk to . no matter how I tried.

    c.... k....

    If you need a phone number, I can give you mine. Lived it for 14 years. Hold on. It gets better

  25. J.... W....

    life is a gamble anyway. there is always a high cost . rich or poor. addiction or not.

  26. S.... ....

    Jamey and his group has got it. Fuck your new country bullshit. I want hip hop i can change the channel. This is the Johnny Cash of our generation.

  27. J.... W....

    Who here 2019

  28. t.... ....

    drugs will call yor name

  29. J.... A....

    I spent over 25 years as a hardcore junkie/addict and walked away from it almost 10 years ago and haven't looked back and won't.
    Thing about Jamey Johnson is he always seems to hit that nail flat on the head and right into feelings and memories it goes.
    Right on! Jamey Johnson

  30. W.... C....

    Rip Wendy your gone but dam sure not forgotten baby girl I love you so much it's funny you told me and I didn't know it would be real but dam I want you back and the kids to love Cox☘️😭🦄🌐

  31. S.... P....

    Drugs ain't cool lost all my friends and family to the game stepdad locked for 15 years cousin locked for 20 mom has warrants and the people I did know that was selling started selling there body's instead

  32. m.... t....

    Jesus Christ..... Thank you for this song......

  33. r.... t....

    My name is Bobby kid I used to be the biggest crackhead out there people didn't even want to hang out with me and smoke it was no big deal 3 for 5 days thanks to Jesus Christ and the program 15 years sober and clean still going strong

  34. k.... v....

    just fell off the wagon....I guess I jumped when we hit a bump 2019

    k.... v....

    You and me both brother.

    k.... v....

    Just a bump in life brother... hope you get back on track and keep conquering life!

  35. m.... ....

    Bad Trade???

  36. I.... B....

    Let's just start I got token away from my dad"real dad" because he was doing drugs and drinking. At the age of 7 he died bc of doing the drugs. Let's just say if he would of never done drugs and drink he would still be here. I love you Dad. I wish you was still here today at the age of 14 I wish you could see who I am today.

  37. T.... M....

    This is the country music that says something to me worth hearing.

  38. J.... S....

    I was a drug addict since I was 12. We DO recover!!!

  39. I.... M....

    I love the song. Hope it helps everyone addicted. Thank God, I NEVER got into drugs, or alcohol. I watched too many people go to hell on it, die from it, that made it work in reverse for me.

  40. S.... P....

    My house was a meth trap house my mom would get high 24/7

  41. B.... O....

    Official:)

  42. K.... O....

    Jesus ain’t never turned his back not once .... but I understand the concept !

  43. F.... B....

    This is true but I'm only 18 and will be 19 on April 15th. This group of people are really bad

  44. W.... J....

    "every saint has a past and every sinner has a future".

  45. B.... W....

    High cost of living. I lived

  46. M.... S....

    I am battling alcohol addiction. I was sober for 5 yrs. my wife passed away one week after Thanksgiving in 2018. I have a 9 yr old daughter, and a 13 yr old son. I know what to do to get sober again, but my alcoholism has been doing push ups, waiting on me. Pray for us. “ Once your a pickle, you can never be a cucumber again.”

    M.... S....

    Please stay strong for the kids. Praying

  47. B.... F....

    Sorry y’all have had such a bad life. I’m still here in the real world. WTF DO YOU EXPECT??

  48. D.... F....

    I think i can safely say,,, This song hits deep because its Real. I'm 46 and have done most substances known to man over the last 30 years. So much truth in this song.. the cost of living High is insane,, i have had this song stuck in my head for the last 2 weeks probably because im going thru some battles of my own at the moment.. its a great reminder for me of Why i want to get back on my Good road. God Bless.. and Jesus will Never turn his back.

    D.... F....

    Sir, I am 56 and been a drunk all my life. Stopped drinking on Jan. 1, 2018. You and I can do it. Peace

  49. C.... H....

    Love it when the troops

  50. M.... L....

    Would be so lovely to talk to you today

  51. J.... S....

    its a job and bills.cut your band of asshole friends loose and tell her dinner stinks get me beer.If she works divy it up punk.I wrote this M effing song .

  52. W.... S....

    Very Kid Rockish.

  53. L.... t....

    My brother is this song.he is now in prison for 10 years because of it..god i wish he learned .

  54. T.... W....

    I bounce back and forth some days I just don't get it but I keep trying 32 year battle looks like a painting would be a better motivator

  55. H.... ....

    Sober 13 mos!!come back to me Jake...just takes a little willingness.

  56. S.... S....

    I'll always understand and love their messages. God bless a country boy.

  57. M.... D....

    Addiction is the hardest demon to conquer I am not there yet but I pray I can get there I can't do this anymore

  58. M.... C....

    I sing this at kareoke.. story of my life.

  59. L.... N....

    I still drink, race, ride, work, and do anything I want to do. Damn people???

  60. D.... R....

    I don't even fuck with country but this song is as real as it comes

  61. R.... M....

    I lost everything he looses in this song this is me Meth cost me more than I can bear

  62. J.... M....

    Daddy little Dixie

  63. F.... G....

    That life sucks it took everything from me. I'm so blessed that I still have my life left. I finally feel free. This song is like looking in the mirror. This is an awesome song. Thank you Johnson

  64. J.... S....

    Hey Stacy how are you good morning

  65. D.... R....

    its so true I been there more than one time didn't learn first time
    cops kicked in door god bless

  66. C.... C....

    This is to scott the man who just got up an let me one day when i went to the store u will always have my heart an i will always belong to u i love u scott h with all my heart an soul

    C.... C....

    By the way u know me by crista cardwell scott i went back to my maiden name

  67. B.... N....

    I've relapsed 4 times from meth, cocaine, oxy, benzo, and alcohol and now I've been sober for 5 days and have a wonderful place as an outpatient... They treat me like family and even though I'm withdrawing at the moment this song is nothing but the truth and I'm done for good I'm tired of the same cycle

    B.... N....

    Hope you are doing well today. Peace

    B.... N....

    Brent Nicol I will keep you in my prayers. Take it one day at a time. My brother has been clean for over a year now. We are so grateful to have him back. You can do it. 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

  68. t.... w....

    Ain't it the truth

  69. 9.... ....

    He wrote this song for my dad... i swear

  70. M.... P....

    This prison is much colder than that one that I was locked up in just yesterday...

  71. h.... h....

    drugs are not cool they took me down a f--k up road lost my family self respect for myself but been clean for 2 year's now my family is back together and doing good thanks to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

    h.... h....

    Im just gonna say you were not smoking any good ole ganja

    h.... h....

    @Timothy James the song refers to cocaine!!

    h.... h....

    Congratulations

    h.... h....

    God bless you brother im on that road at the moment but im working my way back home never surrender

    h.... h....

    God Bless brother hope you are doing good still

  72. J.... S....

    Brilliant.

  73. T.... T....

    "with my new found sobriety I ve got the time to sit and think of all the things I had and threw away. This prison is much colder than that one that I was locked up in just yesterday." That's some truth right there.

  74. R.... G....

    I am addict I have lost my money-wife & home do to it but you have to pick up the peices and do what you need to get it all back it's hard but not impossible put your trust in your spouse and you'll be happy

  75. J.... S....

    sitting in the house days at a time smoking meth almost killed me but I got my self up and got the demon off my back this song helped me more than I can ever explain it was my life

  76. K.... W....

    A prison indeed. God bless any that have lived this. excellent song. excellent.

    K.... W....

    **sorry....
    or those who are still living through this.

  77. J.... S....

    I can certainly can tell you the high cost of livin ait nothin like the cost of livin high

  78. D.... C....

    I traded my wife 4 cocaine and a whore and never looked back

  79. W.... F....

    If you haven't lived it you will never know

  80. D.... D....

    I’m a firm believer that hard heads make soft asses in the long run..and yes I was a hard head for along time. When I listen to this song, I listen to it 2 or 3 times back to back and it reminds of all things I threw away. But I don’t throw it away anymore

  81. j.... w....

    amen brother

  82. F.... E....

    i quit kids

  83. M.... M....

    Been there

  84. J.... K....

    The price I've paid. Damn!!

  85. M.... H....

    you would have to kill ne brp

  86. M.... H....

    fuck off

  87. J.... S....

    Jesus never "turned his back". You did.

    J.... S....

    Don't believe he meant it that way. He was saying he thought HE was sneaking something on Jesus...and I know what he was saying.

    J.... S....

    Taking a great song a little too literal man

  88. J.... F....

    That's for sure life is a bitch gotta roll with it

  89. A.... M....

    great lyrics. I totally identify. Thanks for the keeping it real. The truth of the the cost of living high needs to be communicated

  90. m.... ....

    Been there done it.. it's not worth it. Still a great song.

  91. M.... F....

    the dislikes must not no the struggle is real

  92. G.... R....

    I can so relate

  93. K.... s....

    My life the way it used to be

  94. R.... b....

    What a stupid song

  95. M.... L....

    I feel the same way outlaws cocaine whiskey and whores

  96. J.... F....

    My life, holy hell!! nailed it..

    J.... F....

    Not sober living life high 😎