Peak
5
Weeks
22
Score
3,249
Chart Year
1970
Hitchin' a Ride" is a song written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander, issued as a single by the English pop/rock band Vanity Fare in late 1969. It reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1970, but was a bigger hit in the United States, reaching number 5 on the Hot 100 on June 27, 1970. Billboard ranked the record as the number 14 song of 1970.[1] In Chicago the record achieved even greater heights, scaling the WCFL Big 10 Countdown on 18–25 May 1970,[2] and ranking #4 for all of 1970,[3] and rival WLS Radio 89 Hit Parade on 1–8 June 1970,[4] and ranking #10 for all of 1970.[5] "Hitchin' a Ride" sold a million copies in the United States alone, and it became a gold record
A thumb goes up, a car goes by It's nearly 1 a.m. and here am I Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Gotta get me home by the morning light I got no fare to ride a train I'm nearly drowin' in the pouring rain Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Gotta get me home to my baby's side Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Long distance call I got today She sounded lonely so I'm on my way Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Gotta get me home, keep her satisfied Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride A thumb goes up, a car goes by Oh, won't somebody stop and help a guy? Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride Been away too long from my baby's side Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride, ride, hitchin' a ride Ride, ride Ride, ride Ride, ride Ride, ride [FADE]
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 21, 1970 | 93 | 33 |
| 2 | Mar 28, 1970 | 93 | 33 |
| 3 | Apr 4, 1970 | 83 | 43 |
| 4 | Apr 11, 1970 | 83 | 43 |
| 5 | Apr 18, 1970 | 77 | 49 |
| 6 | Apr 25, 1970 | 53 | 73 |
| 7 | May 2, 1970 | 46 | 80 |
| 8 | May 9, 1970 | 42 | 84 |
| 9 | May 16, 1970 | 36 | 90 |
| 10 | May 23, 1970 | 29 | 97 |
| 11 | May 30, 1970 | 23 | 103 |
| 12 | Jun 6, 1970 | 22 | 104 |
| 13 | Jun 13, 1970 | 16 | 110 |
| 14 | Jun 20, 1970 | 9 | 117 |
| 15 | Jun 27, 1970 | 5 | 121 |
| 16 | Jul 4, 1970 | 5 | 121 |
| 17 | Jul 11, 1970 | 10 | 116 |
| 18 | Jul 18, 1970 | 11 | 115 |
| 19 | Jul 25, 1970 | 12 | 114 |
| 20 | Aug 1, 1970 | 13 | 113 |