Meaning of BTO's "Let It Ride"

[ZonexandScout]

(Inspired by another thread about Fred Turner as a bassist.)

“Let It Ride” has always confused me, even as a kid. It’s obvious that a guy is asking his GF is she would let it ride (i.e., let it go and move forward). But is he saying that he is at fault and she should let it ride? Or is he saying that she is at fault and asking if she would let it ride if she were in his place? Or is it a combination of the two? (Hey, that would make a great song title for an SF band!)

I’m sure I’ve been missing the point of the song for years, in spite of hearing dozens of bands cover it.

[aceplace57]

Let it ride is a common gambling term.

Not an area I know well. I know it’s a reference to leaving your winnings on the table. Hoping to double the pot if you win the next hand.

I’ve always assumed the song is about gambling everything on a relationship. You aren’t walking away and playing it safe.

I admit that’s a WAG.

Google isn’t much help. It keeps finding the Casino game, Let It Ride. It’s only about thirty years old. This song came out several years before that.

[BlankSlate]

I’m pretty sure she’s been unfaithful, and she claims that if he did it, she would forgive him. But in the end, he can’t forgive, and he doesn’t believe that she would just “let it ride,” anyway. I never realized that such a seemingly simple song could be so complicated.

[Tom_Tildrum]

From Wikipedia:

The tune was inspired by a traffic jam. The band was in their tour bus, on a highway, and were 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 should take it easy and just let it ride.

That aside, there are several lyrics that imply that he has discovered that she has been cheating:

You can’t see the mornin’, but I can see the light

While you’ve been out runnin’ I’ve been waitin’ half the night

Baby you want the forgivin’ kind and that’s just not my style

I’ve been doin’ things worthwhile, you’ve been bookin’ time

[ZonexandScout]

That’s sort of how I interpreted it, but even back when it was popular, friends would point out that he is apparently asking her to let it ride (“Try, try, try, let it ride.”) Otherwise, it definitely seems like he’s saying, “You wouldn’t let it ride and I won’t either.”

Also, some sites seem to think the lyrics are “Good-bye, I lied,” and others say, “Good-bye, hard life.” I always thought it was the former, but I hear lots of lyrics that ain’t so.

[BlankSlate]

@ZonexandScout

Also, some sites seem to think the lyrics are “Good-bye, I lied,” and others say, “Good-bye, hard life.” I always thought it was the former, but I hear lots of lyrics that ain’t so.

I think you’re right. There are live clips on youtube, and it’s clear that “I” is the first word. Obviously it’s hard to tell between lied and life for the second.

[Tom_Tildrum]

@ZonexandScout

…friends would point out that he is apparently asking her to let it ride (“Try, try, try, let it ride.”)

Perhaps it’s meaningful that that line is coming from the backing chorus and not the lead singer. he’s rejecting the voice inside him that is trying to persuade him to let it ride.

[Crotalus]

For whatever it’s worth, I have performed this song in several cover bands, and everyone I sang it with thought those words were “Good-bye, I tried”.

[Defensive_Indifference]

@Tom_Tildrum

Perhaps it’s meaningful that that line is coming from the backing chorus and not the lead singer. he’s rejecting the voice inside him that is trying to persuade him to let it ride.

I think I agree with this. But I could be persuaded that the chorus is meant to be her voice asking him to let it ride. Either way, it looks like he’s done with the relationship.

[ZonexandScout]

@Crotalus

For whatever it’s worth, I have performed this song in several cover bands, and everyone I sang it with thought those words were “Good-bye, I tried”.

It’s definitely not, “I tried.” In the video from the Roseland Ballroom, you can see that both Bachman and Turner form an “l” sound and not a “t” sound at that point. (I’m not an expert in this area, but I think I can distinguish the two.)

Still…I’ve been wrong before.

[Tom_Tildrum]

@Bayard

I think I agree with this. But I could be persuaded that the chorus is meant to be her voice asking him to let it ride. Either way, it looks like he’s done with the relationship.

Your thinking makes sense too.

[Mean_Mr.Mustard]

I think the participants in this thread have given more thought to the song than Bachman, Turner, *and *Overdrive combined.
mmm

[Tom_Tildrum]

You ain’t seen nothing yet.

[Little_Nemo]

@BlankSlate

I’m pretty sure she’s been unfaithful, and she claims that if he did it, she would forgive him. But in the end, he can’t forgive, and he doesn’t believe that she would just “let it ride,” anyway. I never realized that such a seemingly simple song could be so complicated.

That’s the way I see it.

[FinsToTheLeft]

Randy Bachman has a great show on CBC Radio 1 and you can listen to the archives at http://randybachman.com. You could even send him a message .

[ZonexandScout]

I’d hate to bother Randy. It’s a cool song and I love to sing it in the shower, no matter what.

[Crotalus]

@ZonexandScout

It’s definitely not, “I tried.” In the video from the Roseland Ballroom, you can see that both Bachman and Turner form an “l” sound and not a “t” sound at that point. (I’m not an expert in this area, but I think I can distinguish the two.)

Still…I’ve been wrong before.

You are right. I just found an “unplugged” live version on Youtube. Everyone is clearly saying “I lied”.

[WordMan]

@Mean_Mr.Mustard

I think the participants in this thread have given more thought to the song than Bachman, Turner, *and *Overdrive combined.
mmm

I am watching this thread thinking the same thing. I love BTO - Let it Roll (Down the Highway) gets me going every time - but I never scanned their lyrics for Deep Truths, if you will.

[dba_Fred]

While BTO was primarily a “crank it up” group, for thoughtful songs I invite your attention to: Blue Collar and My Wheels Won’t Turn.

[Defensive_Indifference]

I’m curious about the phrase “bookin’ time.” I understand it in context, but was it a common expression at the time, or something coined for the song?