"Send Me on My Way" is a song by American

worldbeat Worldbeat is a music genre that blends pop music or rock music with world music or traditional music. Worldbeat is similar to other cross-pollination labels of contemporary and roots genres, and which suggest a rhythmic, harmonic or textural co ...

rock band

Rusted Root Rusted Root is an American worldbeat rock band formed in 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by singer-guitarist Michael Glabicki, bassist Patrick Norman and percussionist Liz Berlin. The band got its start as the house band playing a weekly gig in ...

. 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. 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. It peaked at number 72 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

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

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", 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."

Music video

Directed by Sean Alquist, the music video was filmed in the badlands of

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in late 1994.

Charts

Certifications

In popular culture

Despite not being an immediate commercial success, it has since become an "iconic track of the 1990s", mainly due to its prominence in several movies and TV series, including '' Pie in the Sky'', ''

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have used the song in their ads. NASA engineers chose "Send Me on My Way" as "wake up" music for the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, for Sol 21.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"). 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."

References

{{Authority control 1992 songs 1994 debut singles Mercury Records singles PolyGram singles Rusted Root songs