No road trip is complete without a solid playlist of songs that embody the spirit of travelling the open road with your sunglasses on, the windows down and wind in your hair. Good road trip songs not only enhance the journey; they also help get you through those never-ending stretches of unchanging road. (I’m looking at you, North Dakota.) I’ve been listening to some great music on my travels around the US. Here are some songs that make me push the pedal to the metal:
1. Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads (every time I hear this song I reach for the car keys)
2. The Road to Hell – Chris Rea (the full version is genius, it really kicks in about 2.50)
3. Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash (this song screams Wanderlust)
4. The Passenger – Iggy Pop (best enjoyed when you’re on your 14th cup of coffee)
5. Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin (Girl power in a pink cadillac)
6. Peter Gunn Theme – The Blues Brothers version (I’ve always wanted an excuse to quote the movie. “It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses. Hit it.”)
7. Life is a Highway – Tom Cochrane (I am willing to forgive Tom’s disastrous haircut because the song is just that good. The video also features stunning shots of badlands)
8. Route 66 – Depeche Mode (Beatmasters Mix. This is hands down the best version of Route 66 ever. You can try to convince me otherwise, but it will be in vain)
9. Life in the Fast Lane – The Eagles (Don’t even think of doing a road trip without The Eagles)
10. N17 – The Saw Doctors (The ultimate Irish road trip song – actually, the only Irish road trip song)
I had a really hard time limiting myself to just ten – I’ve got, oh, another 4,000 or so candidates for best road trip song. What about you? What are your favourite road trip songs?
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xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 