In the United States, "Ride wit Me" became Nelly's highest-charting single at the time, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, "Ride wit Me" debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart on May 13, 2001 – for the week ending date May 19, 2001 – becoming Nelly's highest-charting song in Britain until October 2002, when his duet with Kelly Rowland, "Dilemma", became his first chart-topper on the UK Singles Chart.
Largely inspired by the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit, and also referencing the 1980s television comedy The Dukes of Hazzard and the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, the video (directed by Marc Klasfeld) sees Nelly and Ali driving to a dilapidated bar occupied by Kyjuan, Slo-Down and Murphy Lee to throw a party. Ali drives a Peterbilt 379 truck filled with women, while Nelly drives a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am along a desert road, as the video follows their journey and eventual encounters with police, hitchhikers, and other roadside incidents. The video culminates with their arrival and a party taking place outside the bar. Featured artist City Spud provides the third verse; however, due to being incarcerated, he does not appear in the music video; Nelly and the St. Lunatics lip-sync his lines. The video won Best Rap Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2001, also receiving a nomination for Viewer's Choice.
Ride With Me
Nelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where they at where they at
Where they at where they at
Where they at come on now
If you want to go and take a ride wit me
We're three-wheelin' in the four with the gold d's
Oh why do I live this way
If you want to go and get high wit me
Smoke an L in the back of the Benzie
Oh why must I feel this way
(hey) (must be the money)
In the club on the late night feelin' right
Lookin' tryin' to spot somethin' real nice
Looking for a lil shorty I noticed
So that I can take home (i can take home)
She can be 18 18 wit a attitude
Or ninteen kinda snotty actin' real rude
But as long as you a thicky thicky thick
Girl you know that its on (you know that its on)
I peep somethin' comin' towards me on the dance floor
Sexy and real slow (hey)
Sayin' she was peepin' and I dig the last video
So when Nelly can we go?
How could I tell her no
Her measurements was 36 25 34 {feel it}
I like the way you brush your hair
And I like those stylish clothes you wear
I like the way the light hit the ice and glare
And I can see you boo from way over there
If you want to go and take a ride wit me
We're three-wheelin' in the four with the gold d's
Oh why do I live this way
(hey) (must be the money)
If you want to go and get high wit me
Smoke an L in the back of the Benzie
Oh why must I feel this way
(hey) (must be the money)
Face a body front and back, don't know how to act
Without the vouchers on the boots she's bringing nothin' back
You should feel the impact shop on plastic where the sky's is the limit
And them haters can't get past that
Watch me as I gas that four dot six range
Watch the candy-paint change every time I switch lanes
The lyrics to Nelly's song "Ride with Me" are a fun, carefree invitation to an adventure. The repetitive "where they at" calls out to anyone who wants to join in on the ride. The chorus announces the theme of the adventure, which seems to be all about indulging in life's pleasures. The first verse talks about cruising in a car with gold rims, and living life with abandon. The line "must be the money" suggests that the singer is enjoying his lifestyle because of his financial success. In the second verse, the focus shifts to finding a beautiful woman to take home for the night. The singer is open to different types of women, as long as they are "thicky thicky thick." He admires the woman's appearance, from her hair to her stylish clothes to her jewelry. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the carefree and indulgent theme that permeates the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Where they at where they at
Asking where the people are located
If you want to go and take a ride wit me
We're three-wheelin' in the four with the gold d's
Oh why do I live this way
(hey) (must be the money)
Inviting someone to take a ride with Nelly, bragging about his flashy car and suggesting that money is the reason why he's living this way
If you want to go and get high wit me
Smoke an L in the back of the Benzie
Oh why must I feel this way
(hey) (must be the money)
Inviting someone to smoke weed with him in the back of his car, wondering why he always feels this way and assuming it's because of the money
In the club on the late night feelin' right
Lookin' tryin' to spot somethin' real nice
Looking for a lil shorty I noticed
So that I can take home (i can take home)
She can be 18 18 wit a attitude
Or ninteen kinda snotty actin' real rude
But as long as you a thicky thicky thick
Girl you know that its on (you know that its on)
I peep somethin' comin' towards me on the dance floor
Sexy and real slow (hey)
Sayin' she was peepin' and I dig the last video
So when Nelly can we go?
How could I tell her no
Her measurements was 36 25 34 {feel it}
I like the way you brush your hair
And I like those stylish clothes you wear
I like the way the light hit the ice and glare
And I can see you boo from way over there
Nelly is in the club looking for a girl to take home, he prefers a thick girl but is open to other options. He notices a girl he likes on the dance floor, they have a conversation, and he admires her features
Face a body front and back, don't know how to act
Without the vouchers on the boots she's bringing nothin' back
You should feel the impact shop on plastic where the sky's is the limit
And them haters can't get past that
Watch me as I gas that four dot six range
Watch the candy-paint change every time I switch lanes
Nelly describes a girl who doesn't know how to act and would be empty-handed without shopping vouchers. He boasts about his shopping habits and his expensive car
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CORNELL HAYNES, DOUGLAS CLAY COOK, JASON EPPERSON, JOHN CLAYTON MAYER, LOWELL WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@saro9909
That four second censor is brutal.
@PlatoonGoon
@Jay Bee There used to be a time where you couldn't even mention smoke, let alone sensual acts. Now it's different lol this was back then
@PaniniWasteland
My jaw dropped after that
@aeriall4431
I actually stated laughing, shows how much the times have changed. That wouldn't be censored now.
@GoldenPistachio63
@@aeriall4431 The reason why so much was censored in the early 2000s is the Colombine Massacre back in 1999. After that the government was checking everything that could be brutal up in Songs, Video games and Movies that could be consumed by kids and censored the hell out of it. Even non-Rap Songs were censored like the Word "gun" in Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus
@aeriall4431
@@GoldenPistachio63 Oh Teenage Dirtbag. I still listen to Wheatus, though I'm proud to say I own the uncensored version now! 😅
@Neesi392
Who wants to jump in my time machine and go back to 2000?? 🛸🕛
@samuelcastillo1176
en cee meee
@xxxtectionjahseh3215
Meeee😢😢😭😭😭
@treefrog4693
Me