"Ride Lonesome" is a song written, produced and performed by the American musician Beck, released as a single alongside an announcement of a surprise tour on April 20, 2026,[1] on Illad Records and Capitol Records.[2][3]
| "Ride Lonesome" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Beck | ||||
| Released | April 20, 2026 | |||
| Length | 4:33 | |||
| Label | Iliad Records/Capitol | |||
| Songwriter | Beck | |||
| Producer | Beck | |||
| Beck singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Ride Lonesome" on YouTube | ||||
Composition and lyrics
edit"Ride Lonesome" is a "melancholy"[1] track about loneliness, as Beck told NPR: "It was one of those times in your life when you’re taking things in, where you’ve been and where you’re going. You know, when you’re going through difficult things, often you have to get through it yourself. You just have to move forward through whatever landscape of your life and circumstances you find yourself in. And I think it’s sort of that dark comfort of pushing through the parts of life that are maybe not as comfortable or easy, and having some distant faith that it will pull you through to the other side."[4]
Release and reception
editThe single was released on April 20, 2026, to positive reviews. In a review for Consequence, Edir Flu likened it to the music of Beck's 2014 album Morning Phase, noting that it was a "welcome return for those fans turned off by the slick production and pop-leaning direction of his last two studio records".[5] Writing for Under the Radar magazine, Mard Redfern wrote that "'Ride Lonesome' has a '70s singer/songwriter vibe more akin to his albums Sea Change and Morning Phase than his Technicolor and experimental pop fare."[6] When asked if an album would follow, Beck confirmed he was writing a lot of other songs.[4]
Music video
editThe song's music video, directed by Beck and Mikai Karl, shows Beck driving and walking in the country. At around the 1:24 mark, Beck is seen standing with mannequins of female bodies, albeit without the head or arms, while standing on the side of the road with semi-trucks driving by.[7]
References
edit- 1 2 Kaufmann, Gil (April 21, 2026). "Beck Rolls Out Dates For 2026 North American Ride Lonesome Tour". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ↑ Hansen, Beck (April 20, 2026). Ride Lonesome (Single). Illad Records/Capitol – via Spotify.
- ↑ DeVille, Chris (April 20, 2026). "Beck Shares New Single "Ride Lonesome": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- 1 2 Hilton, Robin (2026-04-20). "Interview: Beck returns, rides lonesome on new song". NPR. Retrieved 2026-04-23.
- ↑ Fu, Eddie (April 20, 2026). "Beck Wants to "Ride Lonesome" on New Song". Consequence. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ↑ Redfern, Mark (April 21, 2026). "Beck Shares Video for New Song "Ride Lonesome" and Announces Tour Dates". Under the Radar. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ↑ Green, Walden (April 21, 2026). "Beck Readies North American Tour, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 23, 2026.