Let It Ride (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)

"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.

"Let It Ride"
Single by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
from the album Bachman-Turner Overdrive II
B-side"Tramp"
ReleasedJanuary 1974
Recorded1973
GenreRock
Length4:27 (LP)
3:33 (single)
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Randy Bachman, Fred Turner
Producer(s)Randy Bachman
Bachman-Turner Overdrive singles chronology
"Blue Collar"
(1973)
"Let It Ride"
(1974)
"Takin' Care of Business"
(1974)

Background edit

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 edit

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 edit

Cover versions edit

In other media edit

"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:

References edit

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

External links edit