For a brief period of time, Christopher Cross was as ubiquitous as Phil Collins was in the 80s. Specifically, the period between Sailing and All Right, with a quick shove by Arthur’s theme (best that you can do), feels like he had a Midas Touch.

Revisiting those first two albums shows why: Cross has an ear for a good tune and a guitar prowess that galvanises sentimentality with technical skill.

Cross’ dent on pop culture should really be pinned down on Ride like the wind instead of his other songs, though. Don’t get me wrong, I quite like him and the live versions of many of these worn songs are still great, but Ride like the wind is a killer debut single.

A pace that takes some elements of disco with AOR, Ride like the wind is a song of desperadoes. I’d talk to you if I didn’t have the bill after me sorta situation.

Think of a classic 70s chase movie, like Fear is the key, and add a slight disco beat and Michael McDonald’s beautiful background vocals. Cross’ delivery carries urgency, and the ultimate fate of our narrator is left to the listener to devise. Maybe it manage to escape to a beach in Mexico like Andy Dufresne, perhaps he met a poetic grisly end with a bulldozer, like in Vanishing Point.

Whatever happens, there is one certainty on this song: that solo rips and it’s a dang shame it’s lost in the mix.

-Sam J. Valdés López