Ride On, Baby

The Rolling Stones' song 'Ride On, Baby' delves into themes of superficiality, disillusionment, and the harsh realities of life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who appears attractive on the outside but lacks depth and sincerity. The opening lines, 'A smile on your face / But not in your eyes,' immediately set the tone for the song, highlighting the disconnect between outward appearances and inner emotions. This person is described as looking through the singer, indicating a lack of genuine connection or feeling.

The chorus, 'Get out and ride on, baby,' serves as a repeated admonition, urging the subject to move on and perhaps reflect on their superficial lifestyle. The singer's ability to 'pick your face out in an FBI file' suggests a sense of familiarity with this type of person—someone who may be physically attractive but morally or intellectually lacking. The reference to seeing the person's face in a 'trashy magazine' further emphasizes the idea of superficiality and a life lived in the public eye, often for the wrong reasons.

As the song progresses, the lyrics become more critical, pointing out the subject's attempts to appear innocent and shy, despite clear signs of a hard-lived life. The line 'By the time you're thirty gonna look sixty-five' is a stark warning about the consequences of a superficial and reckless lifestyle. The song concludes with a sense of inevitability, as the singer predicts that the subject's friends will eventually abandon them, leaving them to face the harsh realities of their choices alone. Through its biting lyrics and catchy melody, 'Ride On, Baby' serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of valuing appearance over substance.