J. D. Ryznar and Hunter D. Stair devised the series after noticing the incestuous recording careers of such bands as Steely Dan, Toto, and The Doobie Brothers and the singer-songwriters Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. For example, McDonald co-wrote Loggins' "This Is It" and The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" and also performed backing vocals for several other 'yacht rock' artists, including Steely Dan and Christopher Cross. Yacht Rock's episodes were "hosted" by "Hollywood" Steve Huey, a legitimate music critic for Allmusic.
Ryznar admits to having a fascination with the music of the period. Ryznar explains, "Getting into Steely Dan really started this for me. As did the ability to buy dollar records at Amoeba and put them on tapes for my car. Kenny Loggins has made his way into all the pilots I've been involved with except [one]." As Ryznar told Reuters contributor Andy Sullivan, "I'm making fun of the songwriting process, but the music is generally treated pretty lovingly."
The series depicted some realistic aspects of the music, but builds exaggerated storylines around them. For example, the series' presentation of Hall & Oates, in which John Oates, a clear junior partner given his paucity of lead vocals or songwriting credits, rules over partner Daryl Hall in quasi-abusive fashion, is unrealistic. Michael Jackson is depicted as a hard-rock enthusiast who believes his partnership with guitarist Eddie Van Halen will lead to an endless parade of female sexual conquests. Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, the Doobie Brothers' lead guitarist, is often seen pressuring central figure Michael McDonald to write the Doobies another hit. The real Baxter did bring McDonald into the band but he quit himself after achieving their greatest commercial success because of his displeasure with their new commercial attitude. The Eagles and Steely Dan really did insert lyrical references to each other in their music, as depicted in the show, but these were actually friendly in nature, not part of a longtime grudge involving baseball bats and lunch-money shakedowns.
The series was written, directed, and produced by Ryznar, co-produced by David Lyons and Hunter Stair, and edited by Lane Farnham. The production has a "bad-on-purpose aesthetic".
Yacht Rock debuted at Channel 101's June 2005 screening. It placed in the top five at subsequent screenings until the June 2006 screening of its tenth episode, where it placed seventh and was canceled.
However, the show remained a popular download on Channel 101, convincing the creators to make an 11th episode independently. This episode, featuring Jason Lee as Kevin Bacon, debuted during a screening at the Knitting Factory in New York City on December 27, 2007. A month later, Channel 101 themselves included it in a screening, and hosted it on their website along with the other episodes on January 28, 2008
Ride Like The Wind
Yacht Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My body's weak
I'm on the run
No time to sleep
I've got to ride
Ride like the wind
To be free again
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
I was born the son of a lawless man
Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand
Lived nine lives
Gunned down ten
Gonna ride like the wind
And I've got such a long way to go
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
Accused and tried and told to hang
I was nowhere in sight when the church bells rang
Never was the kind to do as I was told
Gonna ride like the wind before I get old
It is the night
My body's weak
I'm on the run
No time to sleep
I've got to ride
Ride like the wind
To be free again
And I've got such a long way to go
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
And I've got a long way to go
To make it to the border of Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Ride like the wind
Gonna ride like the wind
Ride
Gonna ride like the wind
Gonna ride
"Ride Like the Wind" by Yacht Rock is a song that tells the story of a protagonist who is on the run and determined to escape his current circumstances. The lyrics open with a description of the night, emphasizing the urgency and the physical weakness of the singer. The mention of having no time to sleep suggests that he is constantly on the move, driven by the need to break free.
The phrase "ride like the wind" serves as a metaphor for the singer's desperate determination to regain his freedom. By riding fast and unyielding, he aims to leave his troubles behind and find liberation once again. The border of Mexico symbolizes a distant destination where he hopes to find refuge and start anew.
The second verse introduces the singer as the son of a lawless man, suggesting a rebellious and independent nature. The reference to speaking his mind with a gun in his hand indicates a readiness to defend his beliefs and defy authority. Despite having supposedly lived nine lives, the line "gunned down ten" suggests that he is accustomed to dangerous situations and has narrowly escaped death multiple times.
The third verse alludes to the singer facing accusations and a wrongful trial. He was not present when the church bells rang, indicating that he was nowhere near the scene of the alleged crime. This further highlights his constant evasion of authorities and refusal to conform to societal expectations. The desire to "ride like the wind" before old age suggests that time is running out for him to achieve his freedom, adding a sense of urgency to his actions.
Overall, "Ride Like the Wind" is a song that portrays a protagonist who is determined to break free from his current circumstances, unafraid to defy authority and risk his life in pursuit of liberation.
Line by Line Meaning
It is the night
The current time is nighttime
My body's weak
I am physically exhausted
I'm on the run
I am fleeing from someone or something
No time to sleep
There is no opportunity to rest
I've got to ride
I must escape quickly
Ride like the wind
Drive or move at high speed
To be free again
In order to regain my freedom
And I've got such a long way to go
I have a significant distance to travel
To make it to the border of Mexico
To reach the border between the current location and Mexico
So I'll ride like the wind
Therefore, I will continue to drive or move at high speed
I was born the son of a lawless man
I am the offspring of a ruthless and unethical individual
Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand
I frequently express my thoughts through the use of force or violence
Lived nine lives
I have narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions
Gunned down ten
However, I have also been shot and killed on ten separate occasions
Gonna ride like the wind
I will continue to drive or move at high speed
Accused and tried and told to hang
I have been accused, put on trial, and sentenced to death by hanging
I was nowhere in sight when the church bells rang
At the moment the church bells rang, I was not present or visible
Never was the kind to do as I was told
I have never been the type of person to obey orders or follow instructions
Gonna ride like the wind before I get old
I will continue to drive or move at high speed before I become old and unable to do so
Gonna ride like the wind
I will continue to drive or move at high speed
Ride
Drive or move at high speed
Gonna ride like the wind
I will continue to drive or move at high speed
Gonna ride
I will continue to drive or move at high speed
Gonna ride like the wind
I will continue to drive or move at high speed
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER C. CROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The WebMan
I was only a baby when the song was made 1978 but the song came out in 1979 but this is like one of my number one songs from Christopher Cross, you go cat.
Coty Chaney
i love this
Yacht Rock Music
So busy this #YachtRockSunday that I need to Ride Like The Wind with Christopher Cross.
Joseph Salvas
Oh yeah Let's Be MOVIN' and DANCIN' LIKE THE WIND With This Good Song!. Oh Yeah Let's DANCE and MOVE IT LIKE THE WIND OH YEAH MOVE IT LIKE THE WIND! OH YEAH LET'S DO IT! Christopher Cross Did Good With this Song. Good Song! 👍 🙂🎶🎵