The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (song)

"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"
"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"
	Brazilian Promotional single cover
Single by Roger Waters
from the album The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking
B-side	"Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad"
Released	9 April 1984
Recorded	February–December 1983
Genre	Progressive rock; blues rock;
Length	5:22 (Single edit); 4:36 (Album version)
Label	Harvest Records (UK); Columbia Records (USA)
Songwriter(s)	Roger Waters
Producer(s)	Roger Waters; Michael Kamen;
Roger Waters singles chronology
Music video
	"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking" on YouTube

"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking", is a song written and performed by Roger Waters from his debut studio album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking. It was released worldwide on 9 April 1984.

Background

Its meaning consists of the lasting memories of the main character Reg, and displays the benefits and problems associated with his hitchhiking, both figuratively and metaphorically. During the song, Waters mentions such popular icons as Dick Tracy, Shane and Yoko Ono. Waters has said the inclusion of Yoko Ono in the song comes from a dream his drummer Andy Newmark had.

Track listings

7" single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"	4:35
2.	"Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad"	3:22

International 12" single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"	5:25
2.	"For the First Time Today, Part 2"	2:21
3.	"For the First Time Today, Part 1"	1:36

US and Europe 12" single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"	5:25
2.	"Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad / Running Shoes"	6:26

Charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[1]	30
UK Singles (OCC)^[2]	76
US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard)	17
The Netherlands ^[3]	16

References

^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 334. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
^ "Roger Waters - the Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking".

External links

The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking at Discogs
Roger Waters official website

[aus-1] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 334. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_UK_Roger_Waters-2] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

[3] "Roger Waters - the Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking".

[1]

v t e Roger Waters
Studio albums	The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (1984) Radio K.A.O.S. (1987) Amused to Death (1992) Is This the Life We Really Want? (2017) Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale (2018) The Lockdown Sessions (2022) The Dark Side of the Moon Redux (2023)
Soundtracks	Music from The Body (1970) When the Wind Blows (1986)
Live albums	The Wall – Live in Berlin (1990) In the Flesh – Live (2000) Roger Waters: The Wall (2015) Roger Waters: Us + Them (2020)
Operas	Ça Ira (2005) Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera (2017)
Compilations	Flickering Flame: The Solo Years Volume 1 (2002)
Singles	"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking" "Radio Waves" "Sunset Strip" "The Tide Is Turning" "What God Wants, Part I" "The Bravery of Being Out of Range" "To Kill the Child/Leaving Beirut" "Hello (I Love You)" "We Shall Overcome" "Smell the Roses" "Déjà Vu" "The Last Refugee" "Comfortably Numb 2022" "Money" "Time" "Speak to Me" / "Breathe"
Other songs	"Perfect Sense, Pt. I" "Perfect Sense, Pt. II" "Each Small Candle"
Films	The Wall – Live in Berlin In the Flesh – Live Roger Waters: The Wall Roger Waters: Us + Them
Tours	K.A.O.S. On the Road In the Flesh The Dark Side of the Moon Live The Wall Live Us + Them Tour This Is Not a Drill
Related articles	Discography Songs Harry Waters Pink Floyd The Bleeding Heart Band Carolyne Christie Judith Trim David Gilmour The Madcap Laughs
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