"Send Me on My Way" is a 1994 song by American worldbeat rock band

Rusted Root Rusted Root is an American worldbeat rock band formed in 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by singer-guitarist Michael Glabicki (born January 21, 1971), bassist Patrick Norman and percussionist Liz Berlin. The band got its start as the house ba ...

. Originally released as a rough version on 1992's ''

Cruel Sun ''Cruel Sun'' is the debut album by the band Rusted Root, released in 1992. The album sold over a 100,000 copies, which led to the band's major label recording contract. Album cover The album cover depicts a stylized image of the disc of Mictl ...

'', 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. While the song was not an immediate commercial success, it has since become an "iconic track of the 1990s", mainly due its prominence in several movies and TV series, including the 1996 film ''

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'', the television show ''

Party of Five ''Party of Five'' is an American television teen and family drama created by Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman that originally aired on Fox for six seasons from September 12, 1994, to May 3, 2000. The series featured an ensemble cast led by ...

'', the 2002 film ''

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'', and the 2021 television miniseries ''Maid''.

Critical reception

Critical reception has been mixed. In January 2014, in a review for ''

'', Kurt Keefner said that "the African vocal riff from 'Send Me on My Way' is bad

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a South African male choral group singing in the local vocal styles of '' isicathamiya'' and '' mbube''. They became known internationally after singing with Paul Simon on his 1986 album '' Graceland'', and have won ...

", 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

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in late 1994.

Charts

Certifications

In popular culture

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 1995 singles Mercury Records singles PolyGram singles Rusted Root songs