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Hitch Hikin'
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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Thumb stuck out as I go
I'm just travelin' up the road
Maps don't do much for me, friend
I follow the weather and the wind

I'm hitch hikin' all day long
Got what I can carry and my song
I'm a rolling stone just rolling on
Catch me now 'cause tomorrow I'll be gone

Family man gives me a ride
Got his pregnant Sally at his side
Yes indeed, sir, children are a gift
Thank you kindly for the lift

I'm hitch hikin' all day long

Trucker gears his engine down
Says, "Climb on up, son, I'm highway bound"
Dashboard picture of a pretty girl
I'm ridin' high on top of the world

I'm hitch hikin' all day long

Gearhead in a souped-up '72
Wants to show a kid just what this thing'll do
Telephone poles and trees go whizzin' by
Thank you pal, she sure can fly

I'm hitch hikin' all day long
I'm hitch hikin' all day long
I'm hitch hikin' all day long

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of Bruce Springsteen's song "Hitch Hikin'", the singer describes himself as a wanderer, thumb out on the road, following the wind rather than a map. The song celebrates the sense of adventure and freedom that comes with this kind of travel. The chorus emphasizes the transience of the singer's journey, urging the listener to catch him while they can because he'll be gone tomorrow. Throughout the song, the singer encounters a series of travelers who offer him rides – a family man with his pregnant wife, a trucker with a dashboard photo of a pretty girl, and a gearhead eager to show off his car's capabilities.


On one level, "Hitch Hikin'" can be read as a celebration of American car culture and the open road. Each of the singers' rides represents a different aspect of this culture – the family car, the long-haul truck, the souped-up hot rod. However, the song is also a meditation on transience and freedom. The singer is untethered and unburdened by material possessions, carrying only what he can fit in a backpack and relying on the kindness of strangers to get by. He's free to move wherever the wind takes him, with no obligations or responsibilities to tie him down.


Line by Line Meaning

Thumb stuck out as I go
I am standing at the side of the road with my thumb sticking out, hoping someone will pick me up and give me a ride.


I'm just travelin' up the road
I am on a journey, perhaps without a clear destination in mind, and am simply following the road ahead.


Maps don't do much for me, friend
I do not rely on maps or predetermined routes, but instead follow my instincts and the natural world around me.


I follow the weather and the wind
My choices and movements are guided by the environment and conditions of the world, rather than strictly planning or preparation.


I'm hitch hikin' all day long
I spend my days traveling by catching rides from strangers, carrying only the essentials that I am able to bring with me.


Got what I can carry and my song
I am traveling light, and my most valuable possession is the music that I carry with me and share with those I meet on my journey.


I'm a rolling stone just rolling on
I am not tied down or committed to any one place or lifestyle, and am instead constantly moving and evolving as a person.


Catch me now 'cause tomorrow I'll be gone
I am always moving forward and taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, so those who want to cross paths with me must act quickly or risk losing the chance.


Family man gives me a ride
A man with a family offers me a lift and takes me along on his journey.


Got his pregnant Sally at his side
The man's wife or partner is expecting a baby, and is a constant presence on their travels.


Yes indeed, sir, children are a gift
The man acknowledges the value and importance of family and raising children, despite the potential challenges that come with it.


Thank you kindly for the lift
I express gratitude for the man's generosity and willingness to offer me a ride.


Trucker gears his engine down
A truck driver slows down and prepares to pick me up as I hitchhike on the side of the road.


Says, "Climb on up, son, I'm highway bound"
The truck driver invites me into his vehicle, indicating that he is heading in the same direction that I want to go.


Dashboard picture of a pretty girl
Inside the truck, I notice a photograph or decoration featuring an attractive woman inside the vehicle.


I'm ridin' high on top of the world
As we continue down the highway, I feel a sense of freedom and exhilaration, as though I am on top of the world and able to go wherever I choose.


Gearhead in a souped-up '72
A car enthusiast in a powerful and customized vehicle comes along and offers to show off their car and take me for a ride.


Wants to show a kid just what this thing'll do
The driver is excited to demonstrate the capabilities of their car to me as a passenger, and show me a good time on the road.


Telephone poles and trees go whizzin' by
As we speed down the road in the fast car, the landscape and environment around us blurs together and we move quickly through it.


Thank you pal, she sure can fly
I am thankful for the thrilling experience of the ride, and acknowledge the driver's skill and enthusiasm for their car and driving in general.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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