About the song
“Ride My See-Saw” is a captivating single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues, released in 1968. Written by the band’s bassist John Lodge, it was first featured on their album “In Search of the Lost Chord.” This song, along with “Voices in the Sky,” was one of the two singles from the album.
The song begins with a spoken word introduction called “Departure,” written by Graeme Edge, which sets the tone for the rest of the track. The single was praised by Billboard as a “blockbuster rocker” that showcases the band’s potential to reach the top. Cash Box described it as a “dance track with powerful teen attraction” and “polished vocals.”
Critics have consistently ranked “Ride My See-Saw” among the Moody Blues’ greatest songs. Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian placed it as the band’s 6th greatest song, highlighting its unique combination of heavy and mystic rhythms with the band’s signature spoken introduction. Ultimate Classic Rock critic Nick DeRiso ranked it as the Moody Blues’ 7th greatest song, emphasizing its evidence of the band’s rock capabilities. Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome placed it as the band’s 8th greatest song, describing it as an “uptempo, vibrant rock’n’roll song” that delivers a scathing critique of people’s desperation to be part of the rat race.
Video
Lyrics
Ride, ride my see-saw,
Take this place
On this trip
Just for me.
Ride, take a free ride,
Take my place
Have my seat
It’s for free.
I worked like a slave for years,
Sweat so hard just to end my fears.
Not to end my life a poor man,
But by now, I know I should have run.
Run, run my last race,
Take my place
Have this number
Of mine.
Run, run like a fire,
Don’t you run in
In the lanes
Run for time.
Left school with a first class pass,
Started work but as second class.
School taught one and one is two.
But right now, that answer just ain’t true.
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah
My world is spinning around,
Everything is lost that I found.
People run, come ride with me,
Let’s find another place that’s free.
Ride, ride my see-saw,
Take this place
On this trip
Just for me.
Ride, take a free ride,
Take my place
Have my seat
It’s for free.
Ride, my see-saw.
Ride, ride, ride, my see-saw.
Ride, my see-saw…