Hitchin' a Ride
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| "Hitchin' A Ride" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Green Day | ||
| from the album nimrod. | ||
| Released | 1997 | |
| Format | CD | |
| Recorded | 1997 | |
| Genre | Pop punk / Alternative Rock | |
| Length | 2 minutes 51 seconds | |
| Label | Reprise | |
| Producer(s) | Mark Kohr, Green Day | |
| Green Day singles chronology | ||
| "Walking Contradiction" (1996) |
"Hitchin' a Ride" (1997) |
"Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" (1997) |
"Hitchin' A Ride" was the first single that American punk band Green Day released from their album nimrod. in 1997. nimrod. is credited not as one of their most commercially successful studio albums, but as their most musically varied album to date. At least, this was the album that the music critics seemed to warm to, as it was apparently showing the 'mature' Green Day.
"Hitchin' A Ride" begins with a violin introduction reminiscent of the Jewish Klezmer style and then leads into a distinct 4 note guitar riff that carries on throughout the song. Listeners may hear a slight change in lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong's usual voice tone that he claims was adopted merely for the purpose of the song. The walking tempo to Hitchin' A Ride is interrupted in the middle, heavier, bridge featuring the trademark distortion and general loud noise that Green Day fans love to hear.
The chorus lyrics — "Troubled times, you know I cannot lie/I'm off the wagon and I'm hitchin' a ride" reflect Billie Joe's struggles with alcoholism in the early years of Green Day, something he is now rid of. The opening lyrics also suggest links with drinking: "Hey mister, where're you headin'/Are you in a hurry/Need a lift to happy hour, Oh no/Do you brake for distilled spirits?"
[edit] Music Video
The music video for Hitchin' A Ride was directed by Mark Kohr, the director that Green Day 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" 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 Fender Stratocaster 'Blue' can be seen. Mike Dirnt uses one of his Fender Precision Basses and drummer Tré Cool has a single snare drum slung over his shoulders, on which he plays.
During the chorus, the members of Green Day switch to a stage setup. During the bridge, Billie Joe is shown jumping on a bar counter and throwing glasses and bottles at the other characters.
"Hitchin' A Ride" can also be found on International Superhits! and Bullet in a Bible. Its music video can be found on International Supervideos!.
[edit] Track Listing
- Hitchin' A Ride
- Sick (non-LP track)
- Espionage (non-LP track, from the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack)
[edit] Chart positions
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Official UK Singles Chart | No. 25 |
