We Ride

Album: Poets & Old Souls (2022)
Charted: 56
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Hold onto your Stetsons, because "We Ride" is a wild ride indeed. Bryan Martin throws open the saloon doors and lets us see the grit beneath the twang.
  • Well, I've been known to write a few songs
    Lovin' and leavin' and gettin' too stoned
    Bottle and a pistol by my side
    The devil's always along for the ride


    Opting to jump right in with the chorus, Martin pulls no punches. Forget the rhinestone image – this song's about the dirt under your fingernails and the shadows behind the honky-tonk lights. The country singer with the catchy tunes hides a restless spirit, a modern-day desperado with a taste for trouble.
  • "We Ride" beats with authenticity. Bryan Martin isn't just singing about a hard life, he's lived it. This Louisiana native served his country in the military and has faced the dangers and thrills of bull riding. In February 2024, Martin showed true courage by going public about his struggles with alcohol addiction when he announced he'd be entering a rehab facility in Utah.
  • "We Ride" might sound fresh off the press, but it's actually got some interesting roots. Consider it a modern-day descendant of Lee Clayton's 1978 classic, "Silver Stallion." Both songs share similar imagery.

    Those legendary outlaws The Highwaymen – that's Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson – reached #25 on the Country chart with their cover of "Silver Stallion" in 1990.
  • Producer Nick Gibbins throws a Western-style guitar line into the mix for "We Ride," giving the song a gritty charm that mirrors the rebellious spirit of the lyrics.
  • "We Ride" was a slow burn success story. Released by Average Joes Entertainment on October 28, 2022, the song steadily climbed the Billboard charts, cracking the coveted Hot 100 a year and a half later.
  • The song's chart climb wasn't just fueled by radio play. Social media, particularly TikTok, played a big role. Martin started building anticipation in September 2022 with acoustic snippets on his profile, and fans latched on. Lines like "rubbin' two nickels just tryin' to make a dime. Hard to make a livin' while the gas is so high" resonated deeply. They saw their own struggles reflected in Martin's raw lyrics, and the song became an anthem for those facing everyday challenges.
  • With "We Ride," Bryan Martin followed several other country artists who wear their life experiences on their musical sleeves. They include Jelly Roll ("Son Of A Sinner") and Oliver Anthony ("Rich Men North Of Richmond").

Comments: 2

  • Mike from FloridaYou could have filled the many times you sang the chorus with other content/stories you had in life experiences. The song is great with beat/melody, but needs more context. We Ride is excellent Segway to where the story happened. Love the song, it could've been #1 everywhere if it didn't fall short.
  • George Sweet from Winchester JyCan someone please tell me what that red convertible is. It’s driving me crazy.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.