Ride
Old 97s Lyrics
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And a big blue sea
From the 101
To the Tapenze
There is a shadow world
On the other side
I will ride, ride, ride
For your love
But you will not recognize
How I might die inside
Unless I ride
There is a hollow moon
And a big black sea
From Apollo' tomb
To the 405
There is a shadow world
On the other side
And I will ride, ride, ride
(Repeat 3X)
I will grow impatient
For your love
But you will not recognize
How I might die inside
Unless I ride
Unless I ride
Unless I ride
Unless I ride
Unless I ride
Unless I ride
The song "Ride" by Old 97s explores the idea of taking a risk for love. The chorus emphasizes the singer's determination to ride across the shadow world on the other side, indicating a challenging and uncertain terrain. The first stanza sets the scene with the imagery of the scorching sun and vast ocean, hinting at the immense distance the singer must travel. Even though it may be daunting, the singer is committed to finishing the ride to reach their desired destination. The second stanza repeats the same structure but replaces the white hot sun with a hollow moon and the big blue sea with a big black sea. The mention of Apollo’s tomb adds to the overall weightiness of the song, emphasizing the possibility of death in pursuit of love.
The refrain "I will grow impatient for your love, but you will not recognize how I might die inside unless I ride" expresses the singer's desire for their love interest but also suggests that this feeling is not reciprocated. The use of the word "impatient" suggests a longing for fulfillment, creating tension in the song. The line "unless I ride" indicates the singer's conviction that they must take a risk to win their love interest's affection. The repetition of "Unless I ride" at the end of the song emphasizes the determination of the singer to take action.
Line by Line Meaning
This a white hot sun
The sun is shining brightly and warmly.
And a big blue sea
There is a vast and beautiful blue sea.
From the 101
Refers to the freeway.
To the Tapenze
Also another place located near the ocean.
There is a shadow world
There is a mysterious or unknown world on the other side.
On the other side
Implies distance and separation from the shadow world.
I will ride, ride, ride
Expresses a determination to keep on traveling without stopping.
I will grow impatient
I will feel restless and anxious.
For your love
Desiring to be with the person I love.
But you will not recognize
The other person will not understand or perceive my feelings.
How I might die inside
This implies that this feeling of longing is so strong that it can metaphorically kill a part of me.
There is a hollow moon
The moon is in a state of emptiness or hollowness.
And a big black sea
The ocean is vast and dark.
From Apollo's tomb
Refers to a specific geographic location.
To the 405
Another freeway, but the specific location is unknown.
Unless I ride
The only way to fill the emptiness inside me is to keep traveling or exploring.
Unless I ride
Means the same as the previous line: keep traveling and exploring.
Unless I ride
Means the same as the first two: keep going and don't stop.
Unless I ride
Same as before: keep traveling or exploring.
Unless I ride
Last repetition meaning the same as the first four: keep going and don't stop.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JEROLD ELLIS, DENZIL FOSTER, ANTHONY DOUGLAS GILMOUR, GARRICK HUSBANDS, JAY A KING, THOMAS MCELROY, THOMAS DERRICK MC ELROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind