"Hitchin' a Ride" is a song written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander issued as a single by the UK-based band, Vanity Fare in late 1969. It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1970, but was a bigger hit in the United States, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1970. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 14 song of 1970.[1]
The song is about a young man who is attempting to hitchhike, since he has no money. The song is noted for its two recorders, first heard in the introduction as well as in the sections between the choruses and the verses. The song is also noted for its instrumental middle section, featuring an electric piano, that plays a bass line in repetition, which is accompanied by the piano's upper register, bass, drums, and guitar, which is later heard before the song's fade. The single edit shortens the ending by eliminating the final repeated lines "RIDE, RIDE" before the song fades out. It sold a million copies in the United States alone.[2]
"Hitchin' a Ride" was covered by American singer Sinitta. It was released in 1990 as the fifth and final single from her second album Wicked (1989). The song was produced by Ralf Rene Maue. The B-side contains a previously unreleased song "I'm On My Way". This single reached number 24 in the UK,[7] and number 131 in Australia.[8]
Formats and track listings
7" single
"Hitchin' a Ride" – 3:42
"I'm on My Way" – 3:52
12" single
"Hitchin' a Ride" (extended version) – 6:35
"I'm on My Way" – 3:52
CD single
"Hitchin' a Ride" (extended version) – 6:35
"I'm on My Way" – 3:52
"Hitchin' a Ride" – 3:42
Other cover versions
A country music version of the song was released by country singer Jack Reno and reached #12 on the U.S. country chart in 1971.
British group Paper Lace adapted their 1975 version as "Hitchin' a Ride '75", though it failed to chart.
