Comments on: Review: Martina McBride, “Ride”

By: Martone

Martone — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:36:07 +0000

The best part of this song is the guitar solo. The rest is unbearable for me to listen to. McBride will never top her Timeless CD or her work with The Chieftains.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:06:42 +0000

The song is heavy on the electric guitar but I like it. Martina minimizes the belting, which is a breath of fresh air coming from her and one of the main reasons why I enjoy the song. (I have always disliked her upbeat songs because all she did was belt in them.) And the other reason is because it has a good melody.

By: Roger Newcomb

Roger Newcomb — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:46:11 +0000

I think this one is just average. I agree it’s her most radio-friendly song in years but I don’t think it’s one of her better ones.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:17:36 +0000

The song is great in every way. I didn’t expect anything less from Martina. She is a truly exceptional artist.

A++

By: Leeann Ward

Leeann Ward — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 13:33:06 +0000

I’m not sold on this song myself. Maybe later?

By: Occasional Hope

Occasional Hope — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:58:51 +0000

I’m disappointed. The vocal is fine, but the song is lyrically uninteresting, so the overall song doesn’t work for me. I’d give it a C.

By: Amber

Amber — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:02:28 +0000

totally agree with Johnny S. :)

Martina is one of the best country singers out there right now and i believe that “Ride” is a great song. as long as she is haveing fun singing it that’s all that matters. it doesn’t matter what people think of her. she is doing what god is leading her to do and she is following her heart so you go girl!

By: Johnny S.

Johnny S. — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:30:04 +0000

I think her songs and albums have only gotten better since day one in ’92 and that it’s not her fault that country radio and fans abandoned her when she put the artist part of being an artist to good use.

Sure she could’ve made her follow-up albums since 1999, EVOLUTION 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on, but making the same album over and over is already done by artists like Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith and ect.

I’m glad she’s not riding off and calling it a career because that would be a huge loss to country music! Welcome back Martina, but to me you’ve never been gone!!! :)

By: Hard Times

Hard Times — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:59:44 +0000

I really am in the minority here, but I’m not at all impressed. So many of her other songs have been so much more interesting than this.

By: dudley

dudley — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:07:52 +0000

This is the most radio-friendly song that Martina has released in years. Good on Martina, since she had indicated she was looking for radio-friendly fare (with substance, she added). I actually do think she is pushing it a bit on the chorus, but she still sounds better than most. I think Dann Huff overdoes the chorus overall…the background vocals are wasted and there is a bit of instrumental muddiness there, too.

But it’s actually the lyrics that bug me most. The platitudes are unfortunate, but I could look past them as long as there was a central image built and maintained. And for the most part, the roller coaster ride image is maintained. But there are some weird departures, like “and love collides.” What does love collide with, and why is anything colliding on a rollercoaster ride? Also, the line about shining while you have the chance to shine doesn’t match the central image.

That said, I got quite the giggle out of “hold on tight to what you feel inside,” a line that works amusingly in the context of the whole roller coaster ride bit.

It’s a solid comeback single from Martina that makes a strong statement about her determination to reclaim her place on country radio. It should appeal to a young female demo, which will likely help its commercial prospects. And it doesn’t feel preachy, unlike “Anyway,” (which I found to be didactic and almost offensively glib in its treatment of theodicy). I would rate this one a B for its hooky charm, and hope for more mature lyrics in other songs from the album.