Ride Like The Wind

Zoo Freaks, get ready to cruise with some wild trivia about "Ride Like The Wind," the iconic track by Christopher Cross from his 1979 self-titled debut album. This soft rock gem, which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980, tells the story of a condemned man racing toward the Mexican border. Cross revealed in a Songfacts interview that he wrote the lyrics while on acid during a drive from Houston to Austin, inspired by the wide-open Texas landscape. Growing up in San Antonio near Mexico, Cross was fascinated by cowboy serials and the anarchistic allure of escaping authority across the border, which fueled the song’s outlaw vibe. He dedicated it to his friend Lowell George of Little Feat, who passed away in 1979, as noted on the album’s inner sleeve.

Another juicy tidbit: the song’s hypnotic guitar solo is played by Cross himself, showcasing his skills as a guitarist. The track features lush backing vocals by Michael McDonald, whose voice producer Michael Omartian specifically requested to contrast Cross’s lead, as mentioned in a Mix Online article. Omartian also brought in a 28-piece string section and a horn section to give the song its rich, layered sound. Fun fact—the satirical newspaper The Onion poked fun at the song in 1999 with a story titled “Christopher Cross Finally Reaches Mexican Border,” which Cross found hilarious. The song’s legacy lives on, with covers by artists like Saxon and East Side Beat, and it even popped up in the 2013 Anchorman 2 soundtrack.

Now, let’s rewind to how Christopher Cross, born Christopher Charles Geppert on May 3, 1951, in San Antonio, Texas, kicked off his musical journey. A self-described “army brat,” Cross was inspired by his father, a former professional musician turned army pediatrician. He picked up the guitar early and was performing with local groups by high school, according to his Britannica bio. In 1971, he joined Flash, a hard rock band that opened for big names like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Cross left Flash to focus on songwriting, and by the mid-1970s, he was playing in an Austin-based Top 40 band, performing covers and his own compositions. This caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records, who signed him as a solo artist in 1978, despite Cross considering his group a band.

His 1979 debut album, Christopher Cross, was a game-changer, blending soft rock and adult contemporary with hits like “Sailing” and “Ride Like The Wind.” Recorded with top-tier musicians like Michael McDonald and Don Henley, it won five Grammy Awards, including the “Big Four” (Album, Record, Song, and Best New Artist), a feat unmatched until Billie Eilish in 2020. Cross’s crystal-clear tenor and skillful guitar work set him apart, and he even turned down offers to play with Steely Dan to focus on his own music. He once owned Stevie Ray Vaughan’s legendary “Number One” Stratocaster before trading it away, as noted in his Wikipedia page.

Stay connected with Christopher Cross through his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares updates on his music and tours. Fans can also join the vibrant Christopher Cross Fans Facebook group to connect with fellow Zoo Freaks and swap stories about his timeless tunes. For more deep dives, check out fan sites like the Discogs page for his discography or Last.fm for concert updates. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew!