Hitchin a ride

This week on "The Vault" I unwrap and recreate a "Groovy" song (Did I just say Groovy?) going all the way back to 1969! As it turns out, one of my listeners Jeff D., had commented on one of my earlier songs that he wouldn't be surprised if I did one by Vanity Fare and I thought, hey, what a great idea. So, Jeff this ones dedicated to you!!!!! "Hitchin' a Ride" is a song written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander issued as a single by the English pop/rock band Vanity Fare in late 1969. It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1970, but was a bigger hit in the United States, reaching number 5 on the Hot 100 on June 27, 1970. Billboard ranked the record as the number 14 song of 1970. In Chicago the record achieved even greater heights, scaling the WCFL Big 10 Countdown on 18–25 May 1970, and ranking #4 for all of 1970 and rival WLS Radio 89 Hit Parade on 1–8 June 1970, and ranking #10 for all of 1970. "Hitchin' a Ride" sold a million copies in the United States alone, and it became a gold record. The song is about a young man who is attempting to hitchhike, since he has no money. The song is noted for its two recorders, first heard in the introduction as well as in the sections between the choruses and the verses. The song is also noted for its instrumental section, featuring an electric piano, that plays a bass line in repetition, which is accompanied by the piano's upper register, bass, drums, and guitar, which is later heard before the song's fade. The U.S. single edit shortens the ending by eliminating the final repeated lines of "ride, ride" before the song fades out. Lyrics: A thumb goes up, a car goes by It's nearly one A.M. and here am I Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Gotta get me home before the morning light I got no fare to ride a train I'm nearly drowin' in the pouring rain Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Gotta get me home to my baby's side Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Long distance call I got today She sounded lonely so I'm on my way Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Gotta get me home, to keep her satisfied Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride A thumb goes up, a car goes by Oh, won't somebody stop and help a guy? Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Been away too long from my baby's side Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride Ride, ride Ride, ride