Free Ride (song)
"Free Ride" is a song written by Dan Hartman and performed by The Edgar Winter Group. The single, engineered by Jim Reeves, was a top 15 U.S. hit in 1973, hitting number 14 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and number 10 on "Cash Box." In Canada, it peaked at number eight. Background. The single 45 version is distinctly different from the LP version. The 45 version contains a significantly brighter guitar track (that opens the song only on the left channel), added harmonics, a fuzz bass added to the bridge and other changes that contrast sharply with  the "dry" LP mix. Most classic rock radio stations play the LP version, and the original 45 mix is much less commonly available online. Both versions clock in at virtually the same length because each was based on the same core "take" and re-mixed with different tracks to the fore as well as added enhancements to the single. Other versions. Tavares recorded a version of the song for their 1975 album, "In the City". Their version would peak at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. Audio Adrenaline recorded a version of  the song for their 1996 album, "Bloom". Hartman himself re-recorded the song and released it on his 1979 album "Relight My Fire". In popular culture. The song was featured in "Air America" and in "The Drew Carey Show" episode "The Dog and Pony Show". The song is featured in the 1993 film, "Dazed and Confused" while Hartman's recording appeared in "" and on . The song is on "Rock Band 3" as downloadable content along with "Frankenstein". Song was also used in 2006 video game "Cars" as well as "".