Ride (ZZ Ward song)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"Ride"
Single by ZZ Ward featuring Gary Clark Jr.
from the album Cars 3 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) and The Storm
ReleasedApril 14, 2017 (2017-04-14)
Genre
Length4:04
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
ZZ Ward singles chronology
"Help Me Mama"
(2017) 		"Ride"
(2017) 		"Cannonball"
(2017)
Gary Clark Jr. singles chronology
"Take Me Down"
(2016) 		"Ride"
(2017) 		"Come Together"
(2017)
Music video
"Ride" on YouTube

"Ride" is a song by American blues singer and songwriter ZZ Ward featuring guitarist Gary Clark Jr. The song was written for the original soundtrack of the Disney/Pixar film Cars 3, and it was released as the film lead single on April 14, 2017.[1][2]

It was later included as a bonus track on Ward's second studio album, The Storm, which was released on June 30, 2017.[3]

Composition and release

The song was written by Ward, E. Kidd Bogart and Dave Bassett, with the latter also producing, and mixing the record, It also includes additional contributions from Chris Gehringer, who served as the master engineer.[4] Critics defined the song as an up-tempo rock anthem. It was played during the film's end credits,[5]

On May 18, 2017, it was announced that the song will be released with the album soundtrack and Randy Newman's original score.[6] Ward later included the song as the last track of The Storm, her second studio album, which was released the same year.[3]

Promotion

To promote the song, Ward performed the song live on Dancing with the Stars on April 17, 2017.[7][8]

A music video for the song, which includes footage of the film, was released on Disney's YouTube and Vevo page, on June 16, 2017, the same day that the film, soundtrack and score were released.[9] As March 2025, it has received over 18 million views on YouTube.[10]

In July 21, 2017, Disney/Pixar released an Spanish version of the song titled "A Rodar", performed by indie rock band Hinds.[11][12][13]

Reception

"Ride" was met with critical praise from music critics, whose praised the song music production and ZZ Ward and Gary Clark Jr. performances.[14][15][16][17]

Writing for Laughing Place, Marshal Knight compared positively the song to "Life is a Highway" from the film first soundtrack, stating that the song "does a pretty great job recreating that same energy of that blockbuster track from the first film"[14] He continued praising Ward vocal performance for "bringing the fun to the song", and the catchiness of Clark Jr. guitar solo as he described it as "something you will be humming for weeks".[18] Kevin Wierzbicki of antiMusic described the song as a "carefree and slightly careless joy ride".[19]

While reviewing Ward's album The Storm, Pete Francis of Blues Rock Review described it as "upbeat", and named it one of the highlights tracks of the record.[15] Pablo Gorondi from Associated Press dubbed the song as thumping, and said that it serves it purpose of ending the closing credits "in fine fashion" while highlighting Clark Jr. "gritty" guitar solo.[16] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the song "impressive" and praised Ward's bold performance and versality, while comparing the song sound as a "stomping Black Keys rock".[20]

Pete Sargeant from Just Listen To This Ride called the song a "fun piece" and praised the song production: "the rickety chorus sits over a riff-repeat that will stay in your head." He went further praising Clark Jr. performance, he "rides out on electric guitar, each note bursting with feel"[17]

On December 18th, "Ride" was shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards, though it was ultimately not nominated.[21][22]

Personnel

Credis adapted from Apple Music.[23]

Release history

Release dates, versions and formats for "Ride"
Region Date Version Format Label Ref.
Various April 14, 2017 Single
[2]
June 16, 2017 Cars 3 (Soundtrack)
[24]
June 30, 2017 The Storm [25]
July 17, 2017 "A Rodar" (Hinds version)
[26]

References

  1. ^ Francis, Pete (2017-04-14). "ZZ Ward releases "Ride" single featuring Gary Clark Jr". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  2. ^ a b Ride (feat. Gary Clark Jr.) [From "Cars 3"] - Single by ZZ Ward, Spotify, 2017-04-14, retrieved 2025-03-07
  3. ^ a b Pablo Gorondi. "ZZ Ward shows her gale-force talents on 'The Storm'". Observer-reporter.com. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Cars 3 Production Notes" (PDF). Walt Disney Pictures. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  5. ^ "The 'Cars 3' Soundtrack Will Get You Groovin' Along With The Movie". Bustle.com. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  6. ^ Records, Walt Disney. "Disney•Pixar's "Cars 3" Fuels Two Soundtracks--Cars 3 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with Original Song by Dan Auerbach, Instrumental Tracks by Brad Paisley and End Credit Track by ZZ Ward; and Cars 3 Original Score Composed and Conducted by Randy Newman". PR Newswire (Press release). Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  7. ^ "David and Lindsay's Jive - Dancing with the Stars". Retrieved 2 June 2018 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Songs From "Moana," "Cars 3," "Mulan" To Be Performed Live On "Dancing With The Stars"". Headline Planet. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  9. ^ "ZZ Ward - Ride (From "Cars 3"/Official Video) ft. Gary Clark Jr". Retrieved 2 June 2018 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ DisneyMusicVEVO (2017-06-16). ZZ Ward - Ride (From "Cars 3"/Official Video) ft. Gary Clark Jr. Retrieved 2025-03-07 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Press, Europa (2017-07-06). "Hinds invita 'a rodar' con el tema de Cars 3". www.europapress.es. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  12. ^ Disney España (2017-07-06). Cars 3 de Disney•Pixar | Videoclip oficial 'A rodar' con HINDS | HD. Retrieved 2025-03-07 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Hinds, @hindsband (6 July 2017). ""NOTICIÓN‼️cantamos el tema principal de CARS 3 !! RAYO MCQUEEN ALLÁ VAMOOOS 😻🚘😻🚘!!!! ESTE VERANO HINDS EN LOS MEJORES CINES 🤠 @DisneySpain"". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  14. ^ a b Knight, Marshal (2017-06-20). "Album Review: "Cars 3"". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  15. ^ a b Francis, Pete (2017-06-28). "ZZ Ward: The Storm Review". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  16. ^ a b "Review: ZZ Ward shows her gale-force talents on 'The Storm'". AP News. 2017-06-26. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  17. ^ a b Sargeant, Pete (2017-08-27). "ZZ Ward - The Storm". Just Listen To This. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  18. ^ Knight, Marshal (2017-06-20). "Album Review: "Cars 3"". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  19. ^ "antiMusic.com: ZZ Ward - The Storm Review". www.antimusic.com. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  20. ^ The Storm - ZZ Ward | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2025-03-07
  21. ^ "70 ORIGINAL SONGS VIE FOR 2017 OSCAR® | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". www.oscars.org. 2017-12-18. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  22. ^ Sharf, Zack (2017-12-18). "Oscars 2018: Academy Reveals Best Original Song Shortlist, Including Sufjan Stevens' 'Mystery of Love'". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
  23. ^ Ride (feat. Gary Clark Jr.) by ZZ Ward on Apple Music, 2017-04-14, retrieved 2025-03-07
  24. ^ Ride (feat. Gary Clark Jr.) by ZZ Ward on Apple Music, 2017-04-14, retrieved 2025-03-07
  25. ^ Ride (feat. Gary Clark Jr.) [From "Cars 3"] [Bonus Track] by ZZ Ward on Apple Music, 2017-04-14, retrieved 2025-03-07
  26. ^ A Rodar (De "Cars 3") - Single de Hinds en Apple Music (in European Spanish), 2017-07-21, retrieved 2025-03-07
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