Hitch Hike
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
I'm packin' up my bags, gonna leave this old town right away
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike
Chicago City Limits, that's what the sign on the highway read
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
I'm gonna keep movin till I get to that street corner 6th and 3rd
(6th and 3rd, hitch hike baby) Hitch hike, yeah
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Hitch hike, baby
Hitch hike (Hitch hike) Now hitch-a hike (Hitch hike baby)
It's all right (Hitch hike) Hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
Hitch hike (Hitch hike) Hitch hike (Hitch hike dance)
Yeah, hitch hike (Hitch hike) Hitch hike Jenny
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike Susan)
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike Susan)
(Hitch hike baby, hitch hike baby)
I'm goin' to St. Louis, but my next stop just might be L.A.
(Hitch hike) Now what'd I say? (L.A.)
Got no money in my pocket so I'm gonna have to hitch hike all the way
(All the way) Yeah (Hitch hike baby)
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
(Hitch hike) Now what'd I say
Come on, hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
Come hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
The song "Hitch Hike" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is about a woman who is desperate to find her lost love, so she hitchhikes her way to different cities to find him. In the first verse, she decides to go to Chicago, which is the last place she knows he has been. She is determined to find him, even if she has to go around the world to do it. In the second verse, she is on the way to St. Louis, knowing the next city she may have to go to is LA. She doesn't have any money, but she is willing to do anything to find him.
The song is all about her dedication to finding her lost love. She is willing to do anything, including hitchhiking across the country, to find him. The lyrics are full of energy and determination, and they show how love can motivate a person to do almost anything.
Overall, "Hitch Hike" is a song about love, determination, and adventure. It's a classic Motown hit that still resonates with listeners today. The upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and soulful vocals make it a timeless classic that showcases the power of love and the lengths people will go to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm goin' to Chicago; that's the last place my baby strayed
The singer is traveling to Chicago to find her lover who left her.
I'm packin' up my bags, gonna leave this old town right away
The singer is leaving her town immediately to search for her lost lover.
I've got to find that girl if I have to hitch hike 'round the world
The singer is determined to find her lover and is willing to travel the world if necessary.
Chicago City Limits, that's what the sign on the highway read
The singer sees a sign indicating that she is getting closer to Chicago.
I'm gonna keep movin till I get to that street corner 6th and 3rd
The singer has a specific location in mind and will continue hitchhiking until she reaches it.
Hitch hike, yeah
The singer is asking for a ride through hitchhiking.
Now hitch-a hike (Hitch hike baby)
The singer requests another ride.
It's all right (Hitch hike) Hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
The singer reassures her friends that hitchhiking is okay and asks them to do the same.
I'm goin' to St. Louis, but my next stop just might be L.A.
The singer is traveling to multiple places in search of her lover, unsure of where their journey may take them next.
Got no money in my pocket so I'm gonna have to hitch hike all the way
The singer has no money and must continue to hitchhike throughout her journey.
Come on, hitch hike (Hitch hike baby)
The singer is encouraging others to join her in hitchhiking.
Come hitch hike Jenny (Hitch hike Susan)
The singer specifically addresses her friends, Jenny and Susan, asking them to hitchhike with her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLARENCE O. PAUL, MARVIN GAYE, MARVIN P GAYE, WILLIAM STEVENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were known for a churchier, more southern-styled soul than the Supremes, as typified in Motown hits such as "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" Read Full BioMartha Reeves & The Vandellas were one of the most successful groups in the Motown roster during the 1960s and fully active from 1960 to present, performing at various times doo-wop, pop, rock and roll and soul.
The label's second most-successful all-female singing group after The Supremes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas were known for a churchier, more southern-styled soul than the Supremes, as typified in Motown hits such as "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave", "Jimmy Mack", "I'm Ready For Love", "My Baby Loves Me", "Nowhere to Run", and, their signature song, "Dancing in the Street".
The group had its origins in Detroit, Michigan in 1957, and had initially gone by the name The Del-Phis. It originally was a quartet comprising childhood friends Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard, and original lead singer Gloria Williams. Williams left after a failed single on the Checkmate label, leaving the quartet as a trio. They changed their name to The Vells signing a deal with Motown's Mel-o-dy label, and singing background for established Motown performers such as Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye before signing a new deal with Motown's Gordy label on September 21, 1962, after which the group changed its name to Martha and the Vandellas.
In 1964, the Vandellas' lineup changed with Betty Kelley replacing Sterling. In 1967, Kelley was fired and was replaced by Martha's younger sister, Sandra "Lois" Reeves. In 1969, Ashford was also fired and replaced by Sandra Tilley. The lineup of the Reeves sisters and Tilley continued after Martha's return from an institution after suffering a nervous breakdown. The group disbanded following a farewell concert, held at Detroit's Cobo Hall on December 21, 1972., however, Reeves still performs with sister Lois and another Reeves sister, Delphine.
Brian Alejandro
This is just such a cool song. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas are and always be #1
kajuan walker
hitch hike one of my favorites from the beautiful martha and my vandellas legends from the well oiled machine better known as motown, love yall and even doe yall aint made no more music since the 70's your classics still make me smile, along with other classics i listen to by you, love yall!!!!!
trfesok
Uses the same backing track as the original Gaye version.Also covered by the Stones, the Grass Roots, The Sonics & Alison Moyet. I put all of these in my "Stones...covering" playlist. Thanks for the upload!