Initially formed in 1983, the members came from all around the U.S. Most notably, Kentucky native Sid Griffin who shared most the vocals and guitars with Virginian Stephen McCarthy. The band scored a UK hit with Looking for Lewis & Clark in 1985. The group disbanded in 1987, but reunited to perform at the 2004 Glastonbury Festival and several other major events.
The Long Ryders played their first live dates in the U.S. in more than 20 years when they headlined in 2009 at The Earl in Atlanta, Georgia, and in 2014 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.
On February 15, 2019, The Long Ryders released Psychedelic Country Soul, the band's first album of new material in 33 years.
And She Rides
The Long Ryders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she comes away, and she rides today, and she rides
See the people in the square, see the love just waiting there
And she comes away, and she rides today, and she rides, and she rides
All the little children stepping down the street, you never tell which one to meet
See the people all around, see the smile against the frown, and she comes away
And she rides today, and she rides. Never tell you which one to meet
And she rides...
The Long Ryders's song And She Rides conveys a sense of freedom and limitless possibilities that becomes manifest through the image of a woman riding on a star. The repeated use of the phrase "and she comes away" reinforces the notion that this woman is not tied down by earthly concerns or expectations. In this context, the people in the square represent the constraints of society, with their love "just waiting there," as if suspended in a state of yearning that cannot be fulfilled. Meanwhile, the children stepping down the street suggest a sense of innocence and wonder, as if anything is possible when you are young.
The lyrics also suggest that the woman on the star cannot be pinned down or predicted. "You never tell which one to meet," implying that her movements are spontaneous and unpredictable. However, the overall tone of the song is not one of unease or danger, but rather of excitement and possibility. The woman on the star represents the idea that there is always something new to discover, some new adventure to embark on, if we are open to the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
And she comes right where you are, and she rides by on a star
She appears wherever you are, and travels by an imaginary star
And she comes away, and she rides today, and she rides
She goes away and embarks on a journey today and rides
See the people in the square, see the love just waiting there
Observe the people in the square, see the affection that's waiting there
And she comes away, and she rides today, and she rides, and she rides
She departs and takes a journey today, and keeps on riding
All the little children stepping down the street, you never tell which one to meet
All the young kids walking down the street, you never know who to meet
See the people all around, see the smile against the frown, and she comes away
Observe the people everywhere, see the grin against the sad face, and she departs
And she rides today, and she rides. Never tell you which one to meet
She rides today, and she never tells you who to meet
And she rides...
And she continues to ride...
Contributed by Jordan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@1michaelriser
I used to play their songs all the time on my college radio show in 1984. They reminded me so much of the Byrds. They were a refreshing escape from the synthesized 80's music..
@written12
Michael Riser
I’m sure your listeners have great memories of your shows.
I was a deejay on my college station— graduated in ‘82– and it was a pleasure to turn my listeners(however many there were) onto Television, The Teardrop Explodes etc.
@bjorn2run
I used to listen to their songs on my favorite college radio station!
That's what was so great about the 80s. You could have bands like the Long Ryders, the Beat Farmers, & Jason and the Scorchers as well as Depeche Mode and hear them on one college radio station. Long live college radio!
@middlecreekguy
Saw them twice. They were so tight LIVE, and they looked like they were havin' so much fun on stage....great show, BOTH times I saw them.
@TryHardThunde
It’s amazing to think that such prominent punk figures came from the paisley underground movement.
@cbob7
I got to hang out with these guys more than once, because Sid and I had a bunch of mutual friends in Louisville. Lord, they kicked ass live.
@mariopollano
Masterpiece
@WarHog38KCS
A 60's revivalist sounding band. They also look like something out of the 60's on the cover.
@ricv64
loved this live
@written12
Wow, what a great job transferring this music.
I’m no techie but I’m interested in how you did it.
Great song— rootsy with a trippy feel.