Let It Ride (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song) explained

Let It Ride
Type:single
Artist:Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Album:Bachman-Turner Overdrive II
B-Side:Tramp
Released:January 1974
Recorded:1973
Genre:Rock
Length:4:27 (LP)
3:33 (single)
Label:Mercury
Producer:Randy Bachman
Prev Title:Blue Collar
Prev Year:1973
Next Title:Takin' Care of Business
Next Year:1974

"Let It Ride" is a 1974 single by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, written by Randy Bachman and Fred Turner, with the latter providing lead vocals. It was first recorded for the 1973 album Bachman–Turner Overdrive II. The single peaked at No. 23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on April 27, 1974[1] (making it BTO's first Top 40 song in the US), and spent two weeks at No. 14 on the Cash Box Top 100.[2] In Canada, the song reached No. 3.

Background

The tune was inspired by a traffic incident. While on tour in 1973 supporting The Doobie Brothers,[3] the band was on a highway in their tour bus and got boxed in by a couple of trucks. When the bus and the trucks reached a rest area, the musicians confronted the truck drivers, who responded by saying the band members should settle down and just let it ride.[4]

Reception

Cash Box called it a "hard rocking outing" saying that "the vocals, both up front and background harmonies, hit the mark and blend perfectly with the music."[5] Record World said that "forceful, driving instrumental work comes to the forefront" and "gritty vocalizing clinches it."[6]

Charts

Weekly

Chart (1974)Peak
position
Canada RPM3
23
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 14

Year-end

Chart (1974)Rank
Canada [7] 57
U.S. (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[8] 170

Cover versions

[10]

In other media

"Let It Ride" has appeared in a number of films and television series. It has been in films such as:

As well as TV shows like:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Chart History . billboard.com . March 6, 2017.
  2. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 5/04/74. Cashboxmagazine.com. 8 June 2021.
  3. Web site: Rolling Stone #178: Bachman-Turner Overdrive . theuncool.com . January 16, 2020.
  4. Interview track on King Biscuit: Bachman–Turner Overdrive, King Biscuit Flower Hour Records
  5. News: CashBox Record Reviews. February 9, 1974. 12. 2021-12-11. Cash Box.
  6. Record World. February 9, 1974. 2023-03-17. Single Picks. 10.
  7. Web site: Image : RPM Weekly. Library and Archives. Canada. . January 16, 2018.
  8. Book: Whitburn, Joel . 1999 . Pop Annual . Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin . Record Research Inc. . 0-89820-142-X.
  9. Web site: RPM Country Tracks. RPM. September 13, 1999. September 8, 2013.
  10. Web site: Video: Kobra And The Lotus Covers Alannah Myles's 'Black Velvet' On 'Words Of The Prophets' Ep - Blabbermouth.net. BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 23 June 2015 . 25 June 2015.