The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (song)

"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"
Columbia US single cover
Single by Roger Waters
from the album The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking
A-side	"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"
B-side	"Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad" "Running Shoes" "For the First Time Today, Part 2" "For the First Time Today, Part 1"
Released	April 9, 1984
Format	7" single, 12" single
Recorded	February-December 1983
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	05:22 (Single edit) 04:36 (Album version)
Label	Harvest Records (UK) Columbia Records (USA)
Writer(s)	Roger Waters
Producer(s)	Roger Waters Michael Kamen
Roger Waters singles chronology
"The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking" (1984) "Every Stranger's Eyes" (1984)
Music video "The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking" on YouTube

"5:01 AM (The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, Part 10)", 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 hitch hiking, figuratively and metaphorically. During the song, Waters mentions such popular icons as Dick Tracy, Shane and Yoko Ono. Roger has said that 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.	"5:01 AM (The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, Part 10)"	5:22
2.	"4.30 AM (Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad)"	3:22

International 12" single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"5:01 AM (The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, Part 10)"	5:22
2.	"4.39 AM (For the First Time Today, Part 2)"	2:21
3.	"4.56 AM (For the First Time Today, Part 1)"	1:36

US and Europe 12" single
No.	Title	Length
1.	"5:01 AM (The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, Part 10)"	5:22
2.	"4.30 AM (Apparently They Were Travelling Abroad) / 4.33 AM (Running Shoes)"	6:26

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[1]	76
US Mainstream Rock Songs (Billboard)	17

References

1. "Archive Chart: 1984" UK Singles Chart.

External links

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