Ride Like The Wind – Christopher Cross | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#2 for 4 weeks); 1980

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

In 1980 Christopher Cross could do no wrong. His debut album moved several million units past the cash registers, four singles from it were hits, and he walked away with five awards at the Grammies.

Not bad for a 29 year old guy from San Antonio whom Warner Brothers Records took three years – from demo tape to live audition – to sign. Cross originally drummed, then switched to guitar, and on the way to solo stardom played in a cover band called Flash.

When time came to record his first album, he was joined in the studio by the elite of the LA music scene: Don Henley of the Eagles, songwriter/musician J.D. Souther, and guitar ace Larry Carlton, plus session vocalists Nicolette “Lotta Love” Larson and Valerie Carter.

Cross’ first smash, Ride Like The Wind, harkened back to his younger days when he loved watching the Lone Ranger on TV. Riding the musical range with Chris was Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers, whose his distinctive voice helped take Wind to #2

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

• Michael Omartian

Lyrics Written by:

• Christopher Cross

Awards:

• Nominated for Grammy Award for Record of the Year (1981)
• Nominated for Grammy Award for Song of the Year (1981)
• Nominated for Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) (1981)