Hitch a Ride

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Hitch a Ride" by Boston from their iconic debut album, Boston. This track, written by the band’s mastermind Tom Scholz, started life as "San Francisco Day," with lyrics kicking off in New York City before the narrator plans to hitch a ride to "head for the other side." The song’s haunting lyrics, like "Day is night in New York City / Smoke, like water, runs inside," paint a vivid picture of escape and freedom, which took on a deeper meaning after the tragic passing of lead singer Brad Delp in 2007. Fans on Songfacts noted that the song played on Boston’s website after Delp’s death, with some interpreting its lines as eerily reflective of his struggles, though Scholz penned the track years earlier. The guitar solo in "Hitch a Ride" is often hailed as one of the greatest, with fans like Jimmy T. from Ontario raving on Songfacts about its "phenomenal craftsmanship and expression," crediting Scholz’s genius.

Another cool tidbit comes from a 1977 concert memory shared by Jimmy from Knox, Tennessee, on Songfacts. He recalled Boston performing on a guitar-shaped stage, with "Hitch a Ride" stealing the show as the night’s best track. On Reddit, user heavenstoburgatroid called it a "deep cut" from one of the 1970s’ best debut albums, praising Scholz’s melodic yet punchy guitar solos that close out the song. The track’s production, with layered guitars weaving in and out, showcases Scholz’s studio wizardry, which a Reddit post by JimiVanHalen5150 credits for changing rock album production forever. For some, the song holds personal weight—Reddit user ValueTown shared a moving story of covering "Hitch a Ride" with his brother to honor their father, a Boston fan, after his passing in 2016.

Boston began in the late 1960s when Tom Scholz, a mechanical engineering graduate from MIT, started tinkering with music in his basement studio in Watertown, Massachusetts. Working at Polaroid by day, Scholz used his salary to fund demo tapes, playing most instruments himself and recording with early bandmates, including vocalist Brad Delp. Initially forming a band called Mother’s Milk with Delp, guitarist Barry Goudreau, and drummer Jim Masdea, Scholz faced constant rejections from record labels. By 1973, they had a six-song demo, including early versions of "Hitch a Ride" (then "San Francisco Day") and "More Than a Feeling." After Mother’s Milk disbanded, Scholz kept at it, refining his recordings. In 1975, Epic Records signed the band, but Scholz tricked the label into thinking they were recording in Los Angeles while he worked solo in his basement, perfecting the sound that would become the Boston album. Released in 1976, it sold 17 million copies in the U.S. alone, making it one of the best-selling debut albums ever.

Scholz’s blend of classical influences, 1960s pop, and multi-tracked guitar harmonies—often compared to violins—defined Boston’s sound. Delp’s soaring vocals, inspired by The Beatles, added emotional depth. The band’s meticulous approach, as Scholz shared in a Gonna Hitch a Ride interview, meant albums took years, with Scholz prioritizing quality over speed. Boston’s official site, bandboston.com, keeps fans updated on news and tours, while their Facebook and Instagram share throwback photos and concert clips. Their X account engages with fans, posting about music and Scholz’s ongoing projects. For diehard Zoo Freaks, the fan site Gonna Hitch a Ride offers forums, lyrics, and rare photos, and the Boston Fanatics Facebook group is a lively spot for fans to swap stories and memories.