The Ride Chords: A Classic Country Song by David Allan Coe

The Ride is a song written by Gary Gentry and J.B. Detterline Jr. and recorded by American country music artist David Allan Coe. It was released in February 1983 as the lead single from his album Castles in the Sand. The song tells the story of a hitchhiker who gets a ride from the ghost of Hank Williams, one of the most influential figures in country music history. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and has become one of Coe’s signature songs.

How to Play The Ride on Guitar

If you want to learn how to play The Ride on guitar, you will need a capo, a device that clamps across the strings of a guitar to shorten the playable length and raise the pitch. You will also need to know how to play the following chords: G, D, A, C, and E. The song is in the key of D#, but you can use a capo on the third fret to play it in the key of C.

The song has a simple chord progression that repeats throughout the verses and choruses. The chords are G, D, A, G, D, A for the verses and G, D, A, A, E, G, D, A for the choruses. You can use a basic strumming pattern of down-up-down-up for each chord or add some variations to make it more interesting. You can also try to play along with the original recording or use a backing track to practice.

The Lyrics and Meaning of The Ride

The lyrics of The Ride are based on a fictional encounter between a young aspiring musician and the spirit of Hank Williams, who died in 1953 at the age of 29. The hitchhiker is on his way to Nashville, hoping to make it big in the music industry. He gets picked up by an old man in an antique Cadillac, who turns out to be Hank Williams in disguise. The old man asks him if he can make people cry with his songs, if he has paid his dues, and if he can bend the guitar strings. He then warns him that being a star is a long and hard ride and that he should be careful what he wishes for. He then drops him off near Nashville and reveals his true identity before disappearing.

The song is a tribute to Hank Williams and his legacy as well as a reflection on the challenges and sacrifices that come with pursuing a career in music. It also shows the respect and admiration that Coe has for Williams and his influence on country music. The song is considered one of Coe’s best works and has been covered by many other artists, such as Tim McGraw, Chris Ledoux, Travis Tritt, and Waylon Jennings.

Conclusion

The Ride is a classic country song by David Allan Coe that tells a captivating story of a hitchhiker who meets the ghost of Hank Williams. It is a song that showcases Coe’s storytelling skills and his appreciation for one of his musical heroes. It is also a song that teaches aspiring musicians about the realities and difficulties of making it in the music business. If you want to learn how to play this song on guitar, you can find the chords online  or watch some video lessons . You can also listen to the original version or some of the covers to get inspired.