Hitchin' a Ride (Green Day song)
| "Hitchin' a Ride" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Hitchin' a Ride" is a song by Green Day, the first single released from their album Nimrod in 1997. The song contributed to the critical opinion that the album was more musically varied than previous Green Day albums.
Track listing
- "Hitchin' a Ride"
- "Sick of Me"
- "Espionage" (from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me original motion picture soundtrack)
Music video
The music video for "Hitchin' a Ride" was directed by Mark Kohr, the director that Green Day had favoured throughout the Dookie and Insomniac singles. Other videos to his name are classics such as "Basket Case", "When I Come Around", "Geek Stink Breath", and then later "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" and "Redundant". The video shows the band performing in a theatre amongst strange characters in theatrical costumes. They're also shown walking off a treadmill style machine while still playing. In the video, Billie Joe's infamous Fernandes Stratocaster 'Blue' can be seen. Mike Dirnt uses a Fender Precision Bass and drummer Tré Cool has a single snare drum with a cymbal attached slung over his shoulders, on which he plays. He also has a bass drum hung over his back.
During the chorus, the members of Green Day switch to a stage setup. During the bridge of the song, Billie Joe is shown jumping on a bar counter and throwing glasses and bottles at the other characters.
There is also a moment where the band is on stage, the box was opened and a "fly" flee and causing people to panic.
"Hitchin' a Ride" can also be found on International Superhits! and Bullet in a Bible. The music video is included on International Supervideos!.
Chart Positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | U.S. Modern Rock Tracks | 5 |
| 1997 | U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks | 9 |
| 1997 | Official UK Singles Chart | 25 |
| 1997 | U.S. Hot 100 Airplay | 59 |
| 1997 | AUS Singles Chart | 26 |