Ride
The Go-Betweens · Other Songs - The Go-Betweens
Can't collect your stupid thoughts
With a pay cheque
Fist to fist your hands shake
Careful to choose the laws you break
You can't say that
It's not allowed
That can't be
I just say
Ride, ride
You ride by me
You stupid man
The blood beast
has to think to even place his feet
The easy life is easily found
Fat life is dug in the ground
You can't say that
It's not allowed
That can't be done
It's not allowed
I just say
Ride, ride
I really am tired
to ride, ride
You ride by me
Earn a crust
Sleepy head
Dragged down on a reef
Your inner self shall leave you
for someone else
Shall leave you
That can't be done
It's not allowed
I just say
It's just not right, right
You pray for me
to ride, ride
You pray for me
to ride
Ride, ride, ride, ride
ride, ride, ride, ride
Ride - The Go-Betweens
Released in 1983, 'Ride' stands as a defining track in the Australian indie rock canon, capturing the raw energy and melodic sophistication characteristic of The Go-Betweens' early work. Performed by the band's frontman, this recording exemplifies the group's signature blend of jangly guitar work and introspective lyricism that would come to define the genre. The song's enduring popularity stems from its ability to balance upbeat rhythms with a sense of melancholic reflection, making it a staple in the band's discography. As one of their most recognizable compositions, 'Ride' remains a crucial reference point for understanding the evolution of post-punk and alternative rock in Australia during the 1980s.