If you’re in Cave Creek or Carefree, chances are that you crossed or even traveled on the Carefree Highway to get here but you may not realize that it actually inspired the huge hit song with the same name released in 1974 by Gordon Lightfoot.
The inspiration for the song’s title came from a road sign that Lightfoot encountered during one of his journeys. While driving through Arizona, he noticed a sign that read “Carefree Highway.” Intrigued by the juxtaposition of the words “carefree” and “highway,” he found himself contemplating the concept and the emotions it evoked. This chance encounter served as the catalyst for the creation of the song.