Boston “Hitch a Ride” Lyrics Meaning

Tom Scholz, the leader of the band Boston, originally named this song “San Francisco Day.” He had been playing it in different bands for a while before reworking it into “Hitch a Ride” for Boston’s first album.

In “Hitch a Ride,” Brad Delp, the lead singer, sings about the idea of hitching a ride to go somewhere far away. It’s not entirely clear what he’s leaving behind, or if it’s more of an emotional trip, but one thing is clear – he’s searching for freedom.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the meaning behind “Hitch a Ride.”

“Hitch a Ride” Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1]

Day is night in New York City

Smoke, like water, runs inside

Steel idle trees to pity

Every living thing that’s died

In Verse 1,, the lyrics describe a scene in New York City where it feels like day and night have become indistinguishable.

Smoke flows like water through the city, and there are steel trees that seem lifeless.

The mention of “pity” suggests a sense of sadness for everything that has perished in this environment.

[Hook]

Going to hitch a ride

Head for the other side

Leave it all behind

Never change my mind

Going to sail away

Sun lights another day

Freedom on my mind

Carry me away for the last time

Oh yeah

In the Hook, the singer expresses a desire for a significant change in his life. He talks about wanting to “hitch a ride” to the other side, which means a longing for something different and better.

He is determined to leave behind his current situation and never look back, singing, “Leave it all behind/Never change my mind.”

The lyrics also mention sailing away to a new day, symbolizing hope and the pursuit of freedom. The repetition of “Oh yeah” at the end adds enthusiasm and conviction to his aspiration.

[Verse 2]

Life is like the coldest winter

People freeze the tears I cry

Words of hail their minds are into

I’ve got to crack this ice and fly

In Verse 2, the lyrics compare life to the coldest winter, suggesting a sense of hardship and difficulty. The line “People freeze the tears I cry” implies that people are not sympathetic with the singer’s situation. The word “freeze” is used symbolically to describe their act of neglecting.

The following line “Words of hail their minds are into” implies that people are only thinking about harsh and hurtful words. They’re not focused on giving warmth to anyone in misfortunes.

The singer expresses a need to “crack this ice and fly,” suggesting a desire to break free from the emotional coldness and constraints.

Deeper Meaning Behind “Hitch a Ride”

Boston’s song “Hitch a Ride” explores the feelings of escape and freedom from life’s tough moments. It was written by Tom Scholz and sung by Brad Delp, expressing a strong desire for a better life.

The lyrics paint a picture of New York City where day and night seem mixed up, showing how life can feel confusing and repetitive. The “steel idle trees” represent a world that’s lost its natural beauty and humanity, making us feel a bit depressed.

The singer declares that he’s determined to leave everything behind and start anew. “Hitch a ride” is about wanting to break free from the current situation and head into the unknown. The line “Sun lights another day” symbolizes the singer’s hope for a fresh start.

As the song continues, it touches on deeper emotions and critiques the New York City the singer’s living in. Life is compared to the coldest winter, where the singer’s tears froze, and people don’t seem to care about his struggles. The “words of hail” represent how harsh the words from people around him can be.

In the end, the singer’s all on his own to “crack this ice and fly,” meaning he’ll break free from these emotional constraints and rise above life’s difficulties.

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