Send Me on My Way
"Send Me on My Way" | ||||
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Single by Rusted Root | ||||
from the album Cruel Sun and When I Woke | ||||
Released | 1994 | |||
Genre | Roots rock | |||
Length | 4:33 (Cruel Sun version) 4:19 (When I Woke version)[1] | |||
Label | Mercury | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Rusted Root singles chronology | ||||
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"Send Me on My Way" is a song by American worldbeat rock band Rusted Root. Originally released as a rough version on 1992's Cruel Sun, it was re-recorded in 1994 for their second album, When I Woke and released as the lead single.[2] Root's frontman, Michael Glabicki, wrote the lyrics, and its other members – Liz Berlin, John Buynak, Jim Dispirito, Jim Donovan, Patrick Norman and Jennifer Wertz – contributed to the track.[2] It peaked at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4]
Critical reception[]
Critical reception has been mixed. In January 2014, in a review for Cruel Sun, Kurt Keefner said that "the African vocal riff from 'Send Me on My Way' is bad Ladysmith Black Mambazo",[5] whereas Chris Baker of Syracuse.com said "The song's pep and lightheartedness is undoubtedly responsible for its success. Unlike the fervor found in songs like "Ecstasy" or "Lost in a Crowd," "Send Me on My Way" is unbridled optimism – perfect for a children's movie."[6]
Charts[]
Chart (1995) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 72 |
Certifications[]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[8] | Platinum | 600,000 |
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
In popular culture[]
The song has often been utilized in motion picture soundtracks and television programs:
- Pie in the Sky
- Race the Sun
- Matilda
- Party of Five (1996 soundtrack)[9]
- The Theory of Flight (1998)[10]
- Ice Age
- Standing Still
- Treehouse TV's Are We There Yet?: World Adventure (2007–2009) used the song as its main theme music.[11]
- New Girl
- My Mad Fat Diary
- Holiday in the Wild
- Fresh Off the Boat
- Big Mouth
- The Great Times Before 4: The Good Predator
In addition, NASA engineers chose "Send Me on My Way" as "wake up" music for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, for Sol 21.[12]
Jeff Edelstein, writing for Trenton, New Jersey, newspaper The Trentonian linked the song to marijuana use in May, 2020, writing "Weed legalization is finally coming to New Jersey. At some point next year, I will be able to act on my newfound educated consumerism and walk into a store and say, 'May I have some Granddaddy Purple please?' and next thing you know I’ll be downloading some Rusted Root. Send me on my way."[13]
Because of its use in popular culture, frontman Glabicki has said that the song has "become a different thing for us. It's this thing that lives next to us. Everyone has a great memory or connection with the song. The song grew up and now has a life of its own; it's bigger; we get to sit back and watch it."[14]
References[]
- ^ "Send Me on My Way – Rusted Root | Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d When I Woke (Media notes). Rusted Root. PolyGram Records. 1994.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ Cruel Sun (Media notes). Rusted Root. Blue Duck. 1992.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
- ^ Billboard Hot 100.
- ^ Keefner, Kurt. "Cruel Sun – Rusted Root | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ Central New York (January 2, 2014). "Rusted Root endures with the help of 'Send Me on My Way'". Syracuse.com. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ "Rusted Root Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "British single certifications – Rusted Root – Send Me on My Way". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 19, 2020.Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Send Me on My Way in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ Jason Ankeny (November 12, 1996). "Party of Five [Original TV Soundtrack] – Original TV Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ "Theory of Flight – Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. January 12, 1999. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ "Are We There Yet?: World Adventure theme". IMDB.com. September 18, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
- ^ Dave Lane, Mars Exploration Rover OPPORTUNITY, Vol 1 2003–2004 (2008), p. 52 ("Controllers at JPL chose "Send Me on My Way," by Rusted Root, and "Desert Drive," by Tangerine Dream, as Opportunity's wake up music for sol 21").
- ^ "We've all forgotten something about marijuana (JEFF EDELSTEIN COLUMN)". trentonian.com. May 30, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ "Rusted Root has a new album, new sound". greenvilleonline.com. January 16, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- 1992 songs
- 1995 singles
- Mercury Records singles
- Rusted Root songs