In 1978, Tom Cochrane joined up with Rob Baker on drums, Jeff Jones on bass, Peter Boynton on keyboards and Ken Greer to form Red Rider. They were signed to Capitol Records and released their first album Don't Fight It in 1980. With the singles "White Hot" and "Don't Fight It", the album quickly reached gold status. Their second album As Far as Siam was released in 1981 and featured the hit "Lunatic Fringe" which was in the 1982 movie "Vision Quest.". "Lunatic Fringe" and two other tracks, "Cowboys in Hong Kong" and "What Have You Got To Do" were featured in an episode of Miami Vice in addition to which helped push the album to platinum. Boynton was replaced by keyboardist Steve Sexton on Red Rider's third album Neruda, released in 1983. The track "Napoleon Sheds His Skin" would become one of the more popular songs from the album.
For their 1984 album Breaking Curfew, John Webster replaced Sexton on keyboards. The album did not sell as well as Neruda and a dispute with Capitol Records over the future direction of the band resulted in Red Rider being dropped from the record label later in 1984.
The band subsequently signed with RCA. In what became a strong signal regarding the future of the band, they officially became known as Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, and released their self-titled fifth album in 1986.
In 1987, Capitol released a compilation CD titled Over 60 Minutes with Red Rider, covering the band's first four albums.
In the fall of 1988, the band released their sixth album Victory Day which contained the track "Big League", about a boy's dream of playing in the National Hockey League. The song was featured in a segment on CBC Television's Hockey Night in Canada.
Red Rider's final album, The Symphony Sessions, was released in 1989 and saw the band performing with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, as Procol Harum had done seventeen years before. Cochrane's solo career was taking off and the band broke up shortly after the album was released.
The three-CD box set Ashes to Diamonds, including material by both Red Rider and Cochrane as a solo artist, was released in 1993.
Young Thing Wild Dreams
Red Rider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your blade is ripe
Walk out with a fever
In the night
Young thing, young thing
(With) your fist so fat
Forget about that
Move me, move me
Let your spirit ring
Rock me
'Til I can't think
Young thing, young thing
Is your world so flat
Drive out to the edges
Drive it all back
Young thing, young thing
When they lock you inside
Slip out the back
Come on and move me
Move me, move me
Let your spirit ring
Rock me
'Til I can't think
Move me, move me
With all of your might
Rock me, rock me
Rock me, rock me
Young thing, young thing
With your senses sharp
This land is your land
It's in the heart
Young thing, young thing
With your senses keen
This world is your world
This world is free
Young dream, young dream
Take it to the heights
Roll me over
Those cities of lights
Young thing, wild dreams
We'll roll it to the sea
We won't sop until we've
Been released
Move me, move me
Put it to the test
Rock me
I can't get no rest
Move me, move me
'Til I can't sleep
Rock Me
Young thing, young thing
Take me to the heights (rock me)
Roll me over
Those cities of lights (rock me)
Young thing, wild dreams
We'll roll it to the sea (rock me)
We won't stop
Until we've been released (rock me)
Young thing, young thing
Is your world so flat (rock me)
Let's drive out where the edge is
Drive it all back (rock me)
Young thing, wild dreams
When they lock you inside
Slip out the back (rock me)
Come on and move me
The lyrics to Red Rider's "Young Thing Wild Dreams" depict a rebellious, free-spirited person who wants to break free from the confines of society and experience life to the fullest. The song references youth, energy, and adventure, making it a perfect anthem for the young and wild. The opening lines, "Young thing, young thing, your blade is ripe, walk out with a fever in the night" suggest that the singer is ready to take on the world, armed with a sense of purpose and vitality that will carry them through whatever challenges they may face. The lyrics also highlight a sense of restlessness and discomfort with the status quo, urging the young protagonist to break free from the limitations imposed by their environment and seize the opportunity to explore new horizons.
The song's chorus, "Move me, move me, let your spirit ring, rock me until I can't think" is an invitation to let go, to experience the thrill of the unknown and embrace the chaos of life. The lyrics suggest that the journey of self-discovery is not always easy, but worth the effort, and that breaking free from convention and societal expectations is a key part of that journey. The song also hints at a sense of unease with the world around us, urging the singer (and the listener) to re-evaluate their priorities and take action to make the world a better place. Overall, the lyrics to "Young Thing Wild Dreams" epitomize the youthful desire for adventure, freedom, and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Young thing, young thing
Addressing the young and restless, the singer tries to capture their attention.
Your blade is ripe
The energy and vigour of your youth is at its peak.
Walk out with a fever, In the night
Embrace the heat of the moment and venture out in the dark.
With your fist so fat, Forget about that
Put away your anger and come out to explore and have fun.
Come on out and move me
The singer invites the young audience to dance and let their spirit take over.
Let your spirit ring, Rock me, Til I can't think
Let your inner self express, make me dance until I lose myself in the moment.
Is your world so flat, Drive out to the edges, Drive it all back
Explore beyond your limits and roll back your monotonous world.
When they lock you inside, Slip out the back, Come on and move me
When you feel trapped, break free into the wild and let the music take you.
With all of your might, Rock me, rock me, rock me
Put your heart, soul and energy into the rhythm and rock me hard.
With your senses sharp, This land is your land, It's in the heart
Feel empowered and connected with the land; it's in your feelings and emotions.
This world is your world, This world is free
The world is for you to claim as your own, it's yours to explore and enjoy.
Take it to the heights, Roll me over, Those cities of lights
Rise above and see the bright lights of the city from every angle.
We won't stop until we've, Been released
We'll continue moving and won't rest until we've experienced complete freedom and release.
Put it to the test, Rock me, I can't get no rest
Challenge and push me to the limits until I'm too tired to rest.
Til I can't sleep, Rock Me
Rock me until I fall into a peaceful slumber.
Take me to the heights (rock me), Roll me over, Those cities of lights (rock me)
Take me up to new heights where I can see the bright city lights and rock me while I'm there.
We won't stop, Until we've been released (rock me)
We'll keep going until we feel free and can't be stopped, keep rocking me.
Let's drive out where the edge is, Drive it all back (rock me)
Go out and find the edge of the world, then drive it all back and keep rocking me.
Contributed by Kaitlyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michaeldimaria5543
I remember hearing this song on the radio, and literally running to the store to but the cassette. Great memories. Everybody remembers Lunatic Fringe, but this song is my favorite.
@timbremm3644
Remember watching this on Friday night videos.
@timothybond1012
Me too! The only time I heard it played anywhere. But it stuck with me!
@micsmarvelousmusic8686
Forgot about this one👍thx
@Schwerpunkt
I remember seeing this on Rock'n America hosted by Rick Ducommun back in the day
@DNR5586
This song has such a groovy bass line.
@Darryl6636
I knew that bass player was using a Steinberger now it’s confirmed man it sounds good thanks for posting this I love this song
@guyo7351
the other song from Red Rider. Remember hearing this on WDVE in Pgh :)
@adrianmcgrath574
Fantastic 😎
@carloscuello6956
Nice songs