Let Me Ride
R.E.O. Speedwagon Lyrics
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I've been lonesome and hungry for miles
I've seen how you people been lookin' your lies
I'm gonna kill y'all with your own smiles
But I wish that y'all could get a look at the news
And see what the man's puttin' down
Well I gotta hold a one yesterday night
And they threw me outta this town, oh yeah
But when I do that's the end of my roamin'
Cause I've been gone a lifetime and I can't believe
That the people I trust still can deceive
By the time I get back here things have to change
'Cause if they don't there's gonna be a lot of strange
Lookin' people marchin' round, clappin' their hands
And they won't stop till everyone understands
Oh yeah
Let me ride, let me ride
Let me ride now, let me ride now, yeah
Livin's just like sleepin'
Why is life not like a dream
Now the dawn is weepin'
Another sunlight sees
Oh I've been here too long now
I got to go outside
Ya people gotta let me ride
Let me ride, ride, ride
I got to feel free inside
I got to feel free inside
I got to feel free inside
I got to feel free inside
Ya people gotta let me ride
Let me ride, ride, ride
I gotta feel free inside
I got to feel free inside
I got to feel free inside
I got to feel free inside
The lyrics of "Let Me Ride" by R.E.O. Speedwagon reflect a sense of alienation and dissatisfaction with society. The singer has been traveling for a while, feeling lonely and hungry. He's been confronted with the lies that people tell and their deceitful nature, which makes him want to strike back. He wishes that the people he's met on his journey could see what's going on in the world, how the man is "puttin' down." The singer has been kicked out of a town, and he's aware that it will take some time until he gets back home. However, when he does, things have to change because he cannot believe that the people he trusts still deceive him. If nothing changes, the singer warns that there will be strange-looking people who won't stop marching and clapping their hands until everyone understands that something needs to be done.
The chorus is an appeal to release the frustration that comes with being stuck in a place that doesn't feel right. The singer wants to feel free, as if he's riding a wave towards something better. The second verse continues this sense of being stuck, emphasizing that living can feel like sleeping if one doesn't wake up to the issues at hand. The dawn is weeping, a metaphor for the despair that the singer feels. He's been in one place for too long, and he needs to go outside so that he can breathe and get some perspective. He pleads with the people around him to let him ride, that is, to let him be free to ride the wave of change that he hopes to bring about.
Overall, "Let Me Ride" by R.E.O. Speedwagon is a song about wanting change, needing it to survive almost. The singer has seen too much of what's wrong in the world, and he wants to motivate people to see the same. He's frustrated by the lies, the deceit, and the sense that nothing is changing. He's asking to be let go so that he can make a difference, so that he can feel free inside.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been on the road now for a day and a night
I've been traveling for a long time, and I'm tired and alone.
I've been lonesome and hungry for miles
I'm feeling lonely and hungry while traveling for miles.
I've seen how you people been lookin' your lies
I've observed how people are deceptive and dishonest.
I'm gonna kill y'all with your own smiles
I'm going to expose people's deception with their own behavior.
But I wish that y'all could get a look at the news
I wish people would pay attention to what's happening in the world.
And see what the man's puttin' down
To recognize the truth of what's happening in society.
Well I gotta hold a one yesterday night
I got into trouble with the law last night.
And they threw me outta this town, oh yeah
As a result, I got kicked out of this town.
Well it's gonna be awhile before I get home
It will be a long time before I can return home.
But when I do that's the end of my roamin'
But once I get home, I will stop wandering.
Cause I've been gone a lifetime and I can't believe
I've been away for so long that it's hard to believe things haven't changed.
That the people I trust still can deceive
The people I trust are still capable of deceit.
By the time I get back here things have to change
When I return, I expect things to be different.
'Cause if they don't there's gonna be a lot of strange
If things don't change, there will be a lot of unusual things happening.
Lookin' people marchin' round, clappin' their hands
People will protest, rallying together.
And they won't stop till everyone understands
And they won't stop until their message is heard and understood.
Let me ride, let me ride
Let me be free and make my own choices.
Livin's just like sleepin'
Living life feels like a dream.
Why is life not like a dream
Why can't life be as straightforward and simple as a dream?
Now the dawn is weepin'
It's a sad and difficult time in the world.
Another sunlight sees
Another day begins, and there's a chance for hope.
Oh I've been here too long now
I've been in one place for too long.
I got to go outside
I need to get out and live my life.
Ya people gotta let me ride
People need to let me be free and live my life my way.
I got to feel free inside
I need to experience freedom and independence.
Ya people gotta let me ride
People need to let me be free and live my life my way.
I got to feel free inside
I need to experience freedom and independence.
I got to feel free inside
I need to experience freedom and independence.
I got to feel free inside
I need to experience freedom and independence.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marc Dewey
This song is so underrated never gets any air play on your classic rock stations.
Bob Corbin
They would rather play Roll With The Changes which is just a remake of this song
marc dewey
Neil Doughty is probably the most underrated keyboardist in rock.
magnus wettermark
Yes,and he founded one of the best rockband ever. Thanks for that Neil👍👍🙂
Marc Dewey
@Edward Houle so right,and when it comes to key board players we hear about Rick Wakeman,Jon Lord rip ,Keith Emerson rip etc and sure these guys were awesome but Neil is too,
Edward Houle
I always thought Neal Doughty rocked.
Bob Murray
One of my all time REO favorites. This album rocked front to back. This and Foghat Rock n Roll were my favorite records way back when.
Helmasaur King. 1994
great song great album to don't get any better than kick ass REO SPEEDWAGON ROCK& ROLL
John Hill
Gary Richrath burning it up on the guitar solo. First time I seen them perform this song I was amazed. Early years were awesome.
george murray
Great song. I cant believe i was just a teenager .And it stills rocks my world. Im 96 yrs old. Just kidding. But when i am 96 yrs old it will still rock my fn; world .