This song tells the story of a fugitive on the run, desperately seeking liberty and evading capture. It’s a window into the soul of someone who’s lived a life of recklessness and is now facing the consequences. But there’s more than just a story of flight. The lyrics reveal a deeper yearning for redemption and a chance at a new life. The fugitive’s journey to the Mexican border symbolizes a quest for a fresh start, away from a past mired in lawlessness.
Let’s see how this track is a narrative of escape, freedom, and defiance.
“Ride Like the Wind” Lyrics Meaning
We start with “It is the night / My body’s weak.” These opening lines set a tone of urgency and exhaustion, painting a vivid picture of a man on the brink. The phrase “No time to sleep” amplifies this sense of relentless pursuit, a life lived on the edge. The chorus, “Ride like the wind,” isn’t just about speed; it’s a metaphor for a desperate, almost primal need for freedom.
The line “I was born the son of a lawless man” gives us a glimpse into the protagonist’s background, suggesting a life shaped by outlaw influences. The words “Always spoke my mind with a gun in my hand” portray a rebellious spirit, a man unafraid to stand his ground, but perhaps recklessly so.
The recurring theme of reaching the Mexican border isn’t just about a physical destination. It’s symbolic of a longing to escape a past littered with mistakes and to cross into a realm of new possibilities. The Mexican border represents hope, a line that once crossed, offers a chance at redemption.
The lyrics “Accused and tried and told to hang / I was nowhere in sight when the church bells rang” imply a story of wrongful accusation or perhaps a clever escape from the clutches of law. It hints at a complex character, one who is not merely a criminal but someone who challenges the system, a rebel with a cause.
The song repeatedly returns to the theme of riding like the wind, emphasizing the protagonist’s relentless pursuit of freedom. It’s a metaphorical wind, one that carries hopes, dreams, and the chance to start anew. The repetition of these lines reinforces the urgency and the unyielding desire for liberation.
The Story Behind “Ride Like the Wind”
Christopher Cross’s “Ride Like the Wind” emerged from a particular state of mind and life experience. When Cross penned this song, he was not just creating music; he was telling a story, perhaps reflective of his own desires for freedom and escape from the constraints of his life or the music industry.
Cross’s life, much like the song’s protagonist, might have been marked by struggles to find his own path, to break free from expectations and to carve out a unique identity. This song could be a metaphor for his journey as an artist – the struggles, the pressures, and the relentless pursuit of artistic freedom.
The vivid imagery of a fugitive racing towards the Mexican border can be seen as an allegory for Cross’s own journey. The border represents a threshold, not just in geographical terms, but in life and career. It’s about crossing from obscurity into fame, from constraints into creative freedom, from the past into a future full of possibilities.
The song’s sense of urgency and desperation might reflect Cross’s own feelings at the time of writing – perhaps a sense of being at a crossroads in his career, needing to make a significant move to achieve the success and freedom he desired. The “lawless man” could be a representation of the music industry itself, a system that Cross might have felt he needed to escape from to realize his true potential.
In “Ride Like the Wind,” we see not just a story of a fugitive, but possibly a glimpse into Cross’s soul, aspirations, and yearnings. It’s a song that speaks to the universal human desire to break free from our chains, whatever they may be, and to chase the wind toward our own personal freedom.