Hitchin' a Ride by Vanity Fare

Album: Hitchin' a Ride (1970)

Charted: 16 5

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Songfacts®:

Vanity Fare is a British band formed in 1966, consisting of Trevor Brice, Tony Goulden, Dick Allix, and Tony Jarrett, and they were later joined by Barry Landemen. Throughout the late 1960's, they scored several hits. Later on, they experienced several personnel changes and cut back on LP's to concentrate on live performing. The group never broke up and continue to perform from time to time, though they have long since stopped being a full-time venture. This song was their biggest hit in the United States. >>
Suggestion credit:
Mike - Santa Barbara, CA
In the US this refueled the 1960s Hitch hike dance craze. The dance was based on the hitchhiking gesture of waving the stuck-out thumb and it started with the 1963 Marvin Gaye hit "Hitch Hike."
"Hitchin' a Ride" has an upbeat and catchy pop-rock sound. Two recorders are played in the introduction and the sections between the choruses and the verses.
The lyrics depict a young desperate to return to his lover. He's got no money to catch a train, so he tries to hitch a ride to get back to her.
American singer Sinitta's cover reached #24 in the UK charts in 1990.

Comments: 5

Jennifur SunWho played the recorders does anyone know?
John from Cleveland, OhioAside from the great forward moving rhythm, this song like some from the 1960's still sounds fresh! The parts, the recorder, the piano, the drums, they all pop out. Today so much music is compressed to the limit so the instruments cannot even be recognized. This great classic song is a lesson on so many levels. But is anyone listening anymore?
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 15th 1970, "Hitchin' A Ride" by Vanity Fare entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #93; fourteen weeks later on June 21st, 1970 it peaked at #5 {for 2 weeks} and spent 22 weeks on the Top 100...
One year later in 1971 Jack Reno covered the song; his version reached #12 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart...
Vanity Fare had two other Top 100 records and both also charted in 1970; "Early in the Morning" {at #12} and "(I Remember) Summer Morning" {reached #98}.
Jim from West Palm Beach, FlIt was the tune, but 60's Iphone may not cut it. Damn technology.
Dave from Nanaimo, BcSorry, this was not the song that inspired The Hitchhike. That was "Hitch Hike" by Marvin Gaye in 1963.

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