Send Me on My Way

"Send Me on My Way" is a 1992 single by Rusted Root. It peaked at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4]

"Send Me on My Way"
Single by Rusted Root
from the album Cruel Sun and When I Woke
Released1994
GenreFolk rock, acoustic rock, roots rock
Length4:33 (Cruel Sun version)
4:19 (When I Woke version)[1]
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Michael Glabicki, Liz Berlin, John Buynak, Jim Dispirito, Jim Donovan, Patrick Norman, Jennifer Wertz[2]
Producer(s)Dave Brown (Cruel Sun version)[3]
Bill Bottrell (When I Woke version)[2]

Background

Originally released as a rough version on 1992's Cruel Sun, it was rerecorded in 1994 for their second album, When I Woke.[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]

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]

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[7] Platinum 600,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

The song has often been utilized in motion picture soundtracks and television programs:

In addition, NASA engineers chose "Send Me on My Way" as "wake up" music for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, for Sol 21.[11]

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."[12]

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."[13]

References
  1. "Send Me on My Way – Rusted Root | Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  2. When I Woke (Media notes). Rusted Root. PolyGram Records. 1994.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Cruel Sun (Media notes). Rusted Root. Blue Duck. 1992.CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. Billboard Hot 100.
  5. Keefner, Kurt. "Cruel Sun – Rusted Root | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  6. Central New York (January 2, 2014). "Rusted Root endures with the help of 'Send Me on My Way'". Syracuse.com. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  7. "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.
  8. Jason Ankeny (November 12, 1996). "Party of Five [Original TV Soundtrack] – Original TV Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  9. "Theory of Flight – Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. January 12, 1999. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  10. "Are We There Yet?: World Adventure theme". IMDB.com. September 18, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  11. 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").
  12. "We've all forgotten something about marijuana (JEFF EDELSTEIN COLUMN)". trentonian.com. May 30, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  13. "Rusted Root has a new album, new sound". greenvilleonline.com. January 16, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
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