Cross released his debut album, 'Christopher Cross', in 1979, and it garnered him five Grammy Awards. He's the only artist in history to receive all of the "Big Four" Grammy Awards (for 'Best Record', 'Best Song', 'Best Album', and 'Best New Artist') in the same year. Hits from the critically acclaimed album, along with "Sailing" (a number one hit that remained within Billboard's Top 40 for over three months), include "Ride Like the Wind" (which was a #2 hit), "Never Be the Same" (going to #15), and "Say You'll Be Mine" (rising to #20). Critics such as Allmusic's Mike DeGagne have lauded Cross' " crisp and colorful" songwriting and "soothing voice".
Labeled as possibly having 'peaked too early' as time went on, Cross proved the doubters wrong with another number one hit in "Arthur's Theme" (also known as "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"). A part of the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', the track, as stated before, won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. Although his popularity has waxed and waned over the years since his 70s heyday, Cross has earned a reputation as one of the key artists playing what would become known as "yacht rock" alongside contemporaries such as Loggins & Messina.
Ride Like The Wind
Christopher Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My body's weak
I'm on the run
No time to sleep
I've got to ride
Ride like the wind
To be free again
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
I was born the son of a lawless man
Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand
Lived nine lives
Gunned down ten
Gonna ride like the wind
And I've got such a long way to go (such a long way to go)
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
Gonna ride like the wind
Accused and tried and told to hang
I was nowhere in sight when the church bells rang
Never was the kind to do as I was told
Gonna ride like the wind before I get old
It is the night
My body's weak
I'm on the run
No time to sleep
I've got to ride
Ride like the wind
To be free again
And I've got such a long way to go (such a long way to go)
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
And I've got a long way to go (such a long way to go)
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
Gonna ride like the wind
Ride!
Gonna ride like the wind
Ride!
The song "Ride Like The Wind" by Christopher Cross talks about a man who is on the run and must ride like the wind to be free again. The man is on his way to the border of Mexico, but he has a long way to go. He was born the son of a lawless man and always spoke his mind with a gun in his hand. He has lived nine lives and has been gunned down ten times, but he continues to ride like the wind. He was accused and tried and told to hang, but he escaped and is now riding to freedom.
The lyrics of the song suggest a sense of urgency and desperation. The singer is running from something and must get to Mexico to escape his past. The idea of riding like the wind suggests a sense of speed and urgency. Throughout the song, he talks about the challenges he has faced and how he has overcome them. He was born the son of a lawless man and has lived a dangerous life. He has been accused and tried and has faced many challenges, but he continues to ride like the wind to be free again.
Overall, "Ride Like The Wind" is a powerful song that tells a story of a man who must overcome many challenges to find freedom. The lyrics are powerful and emotional, and they convey a sense of urgency and desperation, which makes the song very compelling.
Line by Line Meaning
It is the night
The time of day is late and dark
My body's weak
I am physically tired and not in a strong state
I'm on the run
I am escaping from something or someone
No time to sleep
I cannot rest or take a break
I've got to ride
I need to travel quickly
Ride like the wind
Travel as fast as possible
To be free again
To escape my current situation for a sense of liberation
And I've got such a long way to go (such a long way to go)
The distance I need to travel is substantial
To make it to the border of Mexico
To reach the southern border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
I will travel very fast to reach my destination
I was born the son of a lawless man
My father was a criminal or outlaw
Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand
I am used to being in control and using weapons
Lived nine lives
I have survived dangerous situations
Gunned down ten
I have killed others before
Gonna ride like the wind
I will travel very fast to escape my current situation
Accused and tried and told to hang
I was accused of a crime and faced execution
I was nowhere in sight when the church bells rang
I was not present for my own funeral or memorial service
Never was the kind to do as I was told
I do not follow rules or authority easily
Gonna ride like the wind before I get old
I want to get away while I still can
Ride!
An exclamation to travel even faster
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER C. CROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@renaissongsman
Well, true, it wasn't quite like today ... I was there. I think, maybe, that the girls were a tad prettier, but maybe not. (Hair and clothes were a tad different, I guess).
Music was cooler? I dunno, but it was made by real people playing real instruments, and we didn't care (much) about the size of Joan Jett's lady lumps or whether or not a singer had the greatest looks (although you did have to be, y'know, decent looking).
Movies? The really nice part was that a ticket was often a dollar. My friends and I figured we could go, and if we didn't like the picture we could cut up until they threw us out and we wouldn't have lost much.
I dunno it was "awesome", but it was what it was. Don't get too nostalgic for the "Good Old Days" ... you'll miss the ones you have now.
Sincerely, Renaissongsman, class of '84
@Carolynnjune
It is the night
My body's weak
I'm on the run
No time to sleep
I've got to ride
Ride like the wind
To be free again
And I've got such a long way to go (such a long way to go)
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
I was born the son of a lawless man
Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand
Lived nine lives
Gunned down ten
Gonna ride like the wind
And I've got such a long way to go (such a long way to go)
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
Gonna ride like the wind
Accused and tried and told to hang
I was nowhere in sight when the church bells rang
Never was the kind to do as I was told
Gonna ride like the wind before I get old
It is the night
My body's weak
I'm on the run
No time to sleep
I've got to ride
Ride like the wind
To be free again
And I've got such a long way to go (such a long way to go)
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
And I've got a long way to go (such a long way to go)
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
Gonna ride like the wind
Ride!
Gonna ride like the wind
Ride!
@propelahed
I got pulled over doing 120 on a california highway late one night with the top down and this song blasting. When the officer came up to the car and heard what I was listening to, he waved me on without a warning.
@alleykeosheyan4779
Well done, officer - well done 😉
@Skomana
Good copper
@Skomana
So you didn't throw the kilo of bugle then
@user-ru5ic1mc8g
Great story!😂
@thatjodiegirl72
I can't hear this song without thinking about my father, who passed away in 2021. He lived his life on his own terms, and could care less what anyone thought. A true free spirit and definitely one of a kind... When he passed, I imagined him riding out of this life on his Harley Davidson... like the wind
@robbieismyname22
Love it! ❤
@Skomana
That's exactly what he did do
@Skomana
Bless
@Batfan166
Me in my blue 69 Chevelle convertible. Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Wind in my hair. 18 and my whole life ahead of me. That's what this song brings me back to. I'll always love it.