Chris Smither — I Am The Ride
Album: Up on the LowdownAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1563
Length: 3:45
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Forms are loosely fitting
Jury still are sitting
Sense of duty keeps us all in motion
Prison sirens wailing
That security is failing
Do not inspire a lifetime of devotion
No one will sympathize
No one really tries
They need a faith that leads them like a drum
And I can hear it pounding down among the ruins
Sad to say, I don't think I'm the only one.
I awoke and someone spoke
They asked me in a whisper
If all my dreams and visions had been answered
And I don't know what to say
I never even pray
I just feel the pulse of universal dancers
They'll waltz me till I die
They'll never tell me why
I never stop to ask them where we're going
Yes, but the holy, the profane
Are all helplessly insane
Wishful, hopeful, never even knowing.
And they asked if I believe
And do the angels really grieve
Or is it all a comforting invention?
It's just like gravity, I said
It's not a product of my head
It doesn't speak, but nonetheless commands attention
And I don't care what it means
Or who decorates the scenes
The problem is more with my sense of pride
Because it keeps me thinking "me"
Instead of what it is to be
I'm not a passenger, I am the ride
I'm not a passenger
I am the ride
Jury still are sitting
Sense of duty keeps us all in motion
Prison sirens wailing
That security is failing
Do not inspire a lifetime of devotion
No one will sympathize
No one really tries
They need a faith that leads them like a drum
And I can hear it pounding down among the ruins
Sad to say, I don't think I'm the only one.
I awoke and someone spoke
They asked me in a whisper
If all my dreams and visions had been answered
And I don't know what to say
I never even pray
I just feel the pulse of universal dancers
They'll waltz me till I die
They'll never tell me why
I never stop to ask them where we're going
Yes, but the holy, the profane
Are all helplessly insane
Wishful, hopeful, never even knowing.
And they asked if I believe
And do the angels really grieve
Or is it all a comforting invention?
It's just like gravity, I said
It's not a product of my head
It doesn't speak, but nonetheless commands attention
And I don't care what it means
Or who decorates the scenes
The problem is more with my sense of pride
Because it keeps me thinking "me"
Instead of what it is to be
I'm not a passenger, I am the ride
I'm not a passenger
I am the ride
Comments (126)add comment
For those who haven't seen Chris live, that's JUST HIM on guitar. Not two people, no overdubs. I swear the guy has a third arm somewhere.
MayBaby wrote:
Thinking the same 10-05-22, the guitar just blends from one to the other.
Woah! Super Segue from The Gypsy Kings' Hotel California!
Perfection, Bill - now William. You so rock.
Both good songs, too BTW.
(September 8th 2022)
Thinking the same 10-05-22, the guitar just blends from one to the other.
Woah! Super Segue from The Gypsy Kings' Hotel California!
Perfection, Bill - now William. You so rock.
Both good songs, too BTW.
(September 8th 2022)
Perfection, Bill - now William. You so rock.
Both good songs, too BTW.
(September 8th 2022)
Great follow up Bill!
From the Gypsy Kings version of Hotel California to this Chris Smither tune.
From the Gypsy Kings version of Hotel California to this Chris Smither tune.
Chris is great. "Outside in" is one of my favourites.
Son of Burl Ives??
Nice guitar work, but totally getting a Burl Ives vibe from the vocals.
SWEET trasition from Gipsy Kings' Hotel California to this song. Could someone with a better ear confirm that this is in the same key and time signature - because, for a second, I thought it was a reprise I had not heard before?
Or is there something else that makes this segue so musically smooth?
Or is there something else that makes this segue so musically smooth?
mach-hog wrote:
Right?
I believe those are his feet your hear. It is when you see him live and please see him live.
Wow
Right?
I believe those are his feet your hear. It is when you see him live and please see him live.
Wow
meleager wrote:
Maybe Passenger should cover this?
"I'm not a passenger, I am the ride..."
Maybe Passenger should cover this?
tomcool wrote:
Agree absolutely
Amazing lyrics. You could build a world view just on these lyrics, and maybe we should.
Agree absolutely
What a talent. The first time I heard him was getting out of the car as 'Killing the Blues' came on. I sat there for 3 minutes mesmerized with the car door hanging open into the street. A while after that he came to town and I bought tickets for the whole family. A great experience.
Dude wrote:
Indeed. I'll admit I didn't know who he was when Chris Smither opened for John Prine in a middle school auditorium on the West side of Cleveland ~1999. Phenomenal show, and the encore where they played together was brilliant.
Chris Smither is the best! The man can play. He can sing, and he can write. Best of all, he really emotes. Best to see him live...
Indeed. I'll admit I didn't know who he was when Chris Smither opened for John Prine in a middle school auditorium on the West side of Cleveland ~1999. Phenomenal show, and the encore where they played together was brilliant.
OhCanada67 wrote:
Saw Chris about 10 years ago at Peter's Players in Gravenhurst. A former garage converted to a small venue. Sitting in the back row, I could have tossed a quarter at him with ease. Had a wee chat with Chris during the break, nice guy.
I saw him perform but I don't remember where. wtf
Saw Chris about 10 years ago at Peter's Players in Gravenhurst. A former garage converted to a small venue. Sitting in the back row, I could have tossed a quarter at him with ease. Had a wee chat with Chris during the break, nice guy.
Delawhere wrote:
Or maybe the other way around. Chris has been around for a long long time. He's a master. I saw him at a folk festival a while back playing along side with Doc Watson and John Prine. They were taking turns playing songs and telling stories.
Wow, that had to be amazing. Three legends together.
As someone else mentioned, Doc was performing when Chris Smithers was little.
c.
Or maybe the other way around. Chris has been around for a long long time. He's a master. I saw him at a folk festival a while back playing along side with Doc Watson and John Prine. They were taking turns playing songs and telling stories.
As someone else mentioned, Doc was performing when Chris Smithers was little.
c.
It's unusual that lyrics stand well on their own merits. For me, they do here.
I do like a Chris Smither song. And when you've heard one Chris Smither song, you've heard all Chris Smither songs.
Delawhere wrote:
Or maybe the other way around. Chris has been around for a long long time. He's a master. I saw him at a folk festival a while back playing along side with Doc Watson and John Prine. They were taking turns playing songs and telling stories.
Smither has been around a long time, but Doc Watson began performing professionally in the early 1950s - over ten years earlier than Smither did.
Or maybe the other way around. Chris has been around for a long long time. He's a master. I saw him at a folk festival a while back playing along side with Doc Watson and John Prine. They were taking turns playing songs and telling stories.
Smither has been around a long time, but Doc Watson began performing professionally in the early 1950s - over ten years earlier than Smither did.
"I'm not a passenger, I am the ride..."
I love this song, I had it at an 8 now a 9.
I'm constantly surprised by how many artists have been around forever, but RP is my first exposure to them. Thanks, Bill and Rebecca.
I saw him perform but I don't remember where. wtf
zurcronium wrote:
Or maybe the other way around. Chris has been around for a long long time. He's a master. I saw him at a folk festival a while back playing along side with Doc Watson and John Prine. They were taking turns playing songs and telling stories.
Doc Watson influence it seems to me . . .
Or maybe the other way around. Chris has been around for a long long time. He's a master. I saw him at a folk festival a while back playing along side with Doc Watson and John Prine. They were taking turns playing songs and telling stories.
govna wrote:
I believe the lyric is "invention", though "dementia" does add a stronger sentiment.
lol "is it all just a comforting dementia?" so perfect.
I believe the lyric is "invention", though "dementia" does add a stronger sentiment.
polymath wrote:
My thoughts exactly. Not a bad thing though.
Anybody else hear Burl Ives?
My thoughts exactly. Not a bad thing though.
Doc Watson influence it seems to me . . .
Love this one. Also love the previous posts. It's encouraging that RP is attracting such a fine class of denizens!
Haunting song. Or the lyrics are, rather. Would love to hear, say, The Shins do this one. Their way. It could go to 11 on the Dark Stuff knob, given another interpretation.
Bonnie Raitt says Chris is her Eric Clapton
as are we all. lyrics jump out synchronicitally, as I'm writing about such ideas. thanks RP for the quality of experience.
Brilliant, the live version is even better.
Pretty deep lyrics: profound
ceicilbee wrote:
absolutely! was about to post the same thing.
you beat me!
absolutely! was about to post the same thing.
you beat me!
Sounds an awful lot like David Olney's Jerusalem Tomorrow
Super, love this guy!
First time hearing Chris Smither. Another great artist to add to a very long list of music to purchase.
It's excellent programming like this that hopefully inspires folks to go buy the music and support the artist (and station). Shame the music industry doesn't 'get it' and continues to financially squeeze great stations like RP.
OK rant over... On with the music!
It's excellent programming like this that hopefully inspires folks to go buy the music and support the artist (and station). Shame the music industry doesn't 'get it' and continues to financially squeeze great stations like RP.
OK rant over... On with the music!
Love Smither. Amazing to see live.
Fortunate in seeing him twice.
A man, a stool, a guitar, a voice ............and poetry.
The percussion is his toe tapping btw
A man, a stool, a guitar, a voice ............and poetry.
The percussion is his toe tapping btw
polymath wrote:
absolutely! was about to post the same thing.
Anybody else hear Burl Ives?
absolutely! was about to post the same thing.
Is this like "I am the one who knocks?"
read Cynaera's post from 2011 and see what a tunesmith Mr Smither is.
polymath wrote:
I hear Burl Ives frequently; apparently his ghost haunts my attic. I hear "A Little Bitty Tear" most nights around 11:30. Actually, there is a resemblance in this guy's voice.
Anybody else hear Burl Ives?
I hear Burl Ives frequently; apparently his ghost haunts my attic. I hear "A Little Bitty Tear" most nights around 11:30. Actually, there is a resemblance in this guy's voice.
Stingray wrote:
i hope youre not saying there is no place for narrative or even personal philosophy in a song. you might as well say you have no use for lyrics at all. what songwriter is not a storyteller? stories were being set to music before our species was even walking upright. the story drives the music as much as the music drives the lyric. but i guess we could just listen to oom-bopp.
PS i have seen chris smither in performance...phenomenal. and great enough that he could have just kept his mouth shut and been a concert instrumentalist--but what a loss that would have been for us.
I am not a friend of the story-tellers!
Why they do not write books?
Why they do not write books?
i hope youre not saying there is no place for narrative or even personal philosophy in a song. you might as well say you have no use for lyrics at all. what songwriter is not a storyteller? stories were being set to music before our species was even walking upright. the story drives the music as much as the music drives the lyric. but i guess we could just listen to oom-bopp.
PS i have seen chris smither in performance...phenomenal. and great enough that he could have just kept his mouth shut and been a concert instrumentalist--but what a loss that would have been for us.
I am not a friend of the story-tellers!
Why they do not write books?
Why they do not write books?
Initially, I thought this was Richard Thompson because of guitar technique. But then vocals kicked in and knew it could not be. Very nice tune, though.
Wondering when this song was released, I came across the track listing for "Up on the Lowdown" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_on_the_Lowdown), which was released in 1995.
Amazing lyrics. You could build a world view just on these lyrics, and maybe we should.
ok, second time i've heard this song on RP, and again, i thought it was martin stephenson. How come there is no martin stephenson in the rotation Bill?
Reminds me of Martin Stephenson. Very nice.
See this man live if you can. Great.
I wouldn't go round singing that too loudly in Ireland, people might think you're saying 'I am a ride' Haha!
polymath wrote:
Haha I did!
Anybody else hear Burl Ives?
Haha I did!
Anybody else hear Burl Ives?
love this guy's voice and lyrics. saw him play live solo a long time ago and it was an instant love.
lyrics may be okay, but i can´t stand the singing / voice...
Quixx_II wrote:
I thought it was our collective sparkling personality. Dang.
I love when Bill gets into a theme both lyrically & musically... that, more than anything else, keeps me coming back here.
I thought it was our collective sparkling personality. Dang.
I had no idea he could sing.
Love the lyrics and guitar. He's amazing to see in person also. Highly recommend.
wolfkiss wrote:
Aye to that!
The lyrics slowly come at you and at the end lift the song from the average to the exceptional...
9 for the lyrics.
Aye to that!
The lyrics slowly come at you and at the end lift the song from the average to the exceptional...
9 for the lyrics.
I love when Bill gets into a theme both lyrically & musically... that, more than anything else, keeps me coming back here.
After a dry period in the 80's Chris Smither came back in the 90's with an amazing new chest of goodies, and they keep coming. He continues to be wonderful!
Sloggydog wrote:
So what? Barry Manilow IS Music - and he writes the songs.
So damn godlike - the man, the music, did you know he is the ride?
So what? Barry Manilow IS Music - and he writes the songs.
So damn godlike - the man, the music, did you know he is the ride?
As always, not vouching for the lyrics, but wow....
Forms are loosely fitting
Jury still are sitting
Sense of duty keeps us all in motion
Prison sirens wailing
That security is failing
Do not inspire a lifetime of devotion
No one will sympathize
No one really tries
They need a faith that leads them like a drum
And I can hear it pounding down among the ruins
Sad to say, I don't think I'm the only one.
I awoke and someone spoke
They asked me in a whisper
If all my dreams and visions had been answered
And I don't know what to say
I never even pray
I just feel the pulse of universal dancers
They'll waltz me till I die
They'll never tell me why
I never stop to ask them where we're going
Yes, but the holy, the profane
Are all helplessly insane
Wishful, hopeful, never even knowing.
And they asked if I believe
And do the angels really grieve
Or is it all a comforting invention?
It's just like gravity, I said
It's not a product of my head
It doesn't speak, but nonetheless commands attention
And I don't care what it means
Or who decorates the scenes
The problem is more with my sense of pride
Because it keeps me thinking "me"
Instead of what it is to be
I'm not a passenger, I am the ride
I'm not a passenger
I am the ride
A 9, cause he deserves it. if this was the live version, I'd have to give it a 10. What a gentleman.
govna wrote:
Yes, yes it is.
lol "is it all just a comforting dementia?" so perfect.
Yes, yes it is.
CoolbeaN wrote:
Not a dang thing wrong with the vocals. They suit the song perfectly.
Good lyrics, good finger picking... Wish the vocals were better.
Not a dang thing wrong with the vocals. They suit the song perfectly.
This is one of my favorite artists — If you like this, definitely check out his older stuff (better, I think)
Downloads are hard to find, but all his albums are on grooveshark.com...
Downloads are hard to find, but all his albums are on grooveshark.com...
Good lyrics, good finger picking... Wish the vocals were better.
Just what the doctor ordered! Thanks, Bill! 
lol "is it all just a comforting dementia?" so perfect.
I have to say it reminds me of Paulo Nutini
Got to see Chris Smithers in 1991. It was at a folk festival at Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with my sister. Chris was uncredibly good, along with other headliners. Soo wonderful to hear him after all these years...
A great song for dawn! 
From a total not blues fan-Chris Smither farging rocks!
Toot much talent for one person.
Toot much talent for one person.
Omg, this is amazing. Strong solo guitar player, heavy lyrics. Anybody got any recommendations for similar artists?
I really love this song - very much a troubadour, Mr. Smither is. I especially like the simplicity of the arrangement. Just a guitar and an occasional tambourine - nothing to detract from the lyrics and the slightly-gravelly voice. "I'm not a passenger - I am the ride..." Wow. Great stuff. 
kaybee wrote:
Eeewww!!!
hahahaha! that was my first thought too
Eeewww!!!
hahahaha! that was my first thought too
Really liked the guitar-work...a little iffy on the vocals.
I don't have a religious bone in my body and I love this song. Maybe despite of that, maybe because of that. Who knows, I love it.
New to me - as is most of the world. I liked it. Reminds me of David Olney.
my favorite of his ... live Chris is always best
The "Live as I'll Ever Be" version of this song is bone-chilling. Excellent performance by Smither. RP needs to play more stuff (and more recent stuff) from Chris since he's put out a lot of albums since this one. All of them superb.
Alafia wrote:
I agree!!
This guy is so amazing. See him live if you get a chance.
I agree!!
This guy is so amazing. See him live if you get a chance.
I really like his style, guitar and vocals! plus good lyrics!
Eeewww!!!
this guy really gets to me....especially after a few glasses of wine....i'm singing along and belting out his tunes like i'm all dat.....i love him!!!
Chris Smither is awesome ... live or recorded. But best to see him live.
I was lucky to see him live, and it was an amazing one-man show. He really knows how to connect with an audience and is an excellent, seasoned musician. Also, his hair is unreal!
Reminds me of Doc Watson, Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. Wonderful.
Slow day at the officina so I get to actually focus on the music more than normal ............. this boy can write some lyrics!!!
Really like the musical poetry.
Really like the musical poetry.
Chris Smither is awesome ... live or recorded. But best to see him live.
if you get the chance to see him live, do not pass it up!
Sounds soooo much like Martin Stephenson it's eerie. an 8 just for that alone.
I LOVE this guy.
:)
If you ever get a chance to see CS perform live, it's an incredible experience. His voice can be truly appreciated then.
Niice. Working away and the lyric made me sit up and take note. "I am not a passenger. I am the ride".
seesaw wrote: To me he sounds sort of like Doc Watson.
One of many reasons I give him a solid 9.
Alafia wrote:
Ha! Seeing him live TONIGHT, with Peter Mulvey!
Waaaah!
Can I come?
Pilgrim301 wrote:
Love this man. He's amazing live. Go see him, you'll see what I mean. :)
Ha! Seeing him live TONIGHT, with Peter Mulvey!
Love this man. He's amazing live. Go see him, you'll see what I mean. :)
His voice is similar to Burl Ives.
jpfueler wrote:
he sounds like Burl Ives
Exactly my thought.
Anyone else think this guy sounds a bit like Nick Drake? I hear this song and it puts me in mind of the song "Strange Meeting II" off Drake's "Time of No Reply".
Chris is awesome live. Good performer all around.
Bravo, Bill, for putting a pair of unabashed folk tunes back to back. A nice touch for RP.
he sounds like Burl Ives
This man is brilliant in concert. Go see him.
The guitar is remarkably similar to one of Donovan's songs.
"This is the fairy story of a tangerine puppet."
Love the guitar playing, voice reminds me of Steven Still
I agree: "And that's what I call intelligent design..." Or how about "No Love Today" esp. from the live album (which incidentally is entitled "Live As I'll Ever Be")
Nor-Cal wrote:
What a haunting voice and melody...I don't know what the lyrics mean exactly but they leave me feeling like a drop of water on a leaf that is floating down a burbling brook, under a winter sky. His new album has a brilliant song on it called "Origin of Species", in which he lays out the case that Evolution & Creation are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and in a lyric that is both amusing and enlightening.hand: ">
Some people are so critical it's scary! Why not have your guitar??
jablan wrote:
Oh man, do they always have to have their faithful guitars in hand on covers?
Oh man, do they always have to have their faithful guitars in hand on covers?
c.