What is your one go-to summer driving song?
When the warm weather hits and it’s time to hit the road, it’s time to turn up the stereo. Nothing enhances the drive like the right tunes with the windows down. But what songs fit the occasion? What songs make up the perfect summer driving playlist?
This is obviously highly subjective, but maybe we can pick and choose something that each of us can use in our own way.
A good chunk of my driving list is in constant flux but a few songs never change. Here are three that always make might right foot a little heavier.
What are your driving songs?
Either “Feel Good Hit Of The Summer”, “Go With The Flow” or “Millionaire” by QOTSA.
I have some classic rock mix CDs I made up years ago, and the first song on the first one is “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf. Those are great for driving. I also enjoy playing Nick Drake’s “Bryter Layter” album. It’s so relaxing. I always have a bunch of mix CD’s in my van. I remember one week up north back when this album was released, I played U2’s “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” quite a bit. It suited the time and place perfectly.
“Hey Now Now” by Swirl 360
I did NOT see that coming!
A couple I’m enjoying a lot lately…
I’m Writing a Novel – Father John Misty
Call to Arms – Sturgill Simpson
Cradle of Filths cover of Bathorys Bestial Lust.
Followed by Dragula
Don’t have a set song, but I tend to default to the 3rd Audioslave album, Revelations, in the summertime for driving.
Number one would be “I Got a Line on You” from Spirit’s 1984 album “The Thirteenth Dream”, (released as “Spirit of 84” in North America). Note that this is not the same version as first appeared on “The Family That Plays Together” – this one is slowed down, stretched out, and much better in my opinion.
Also recommended – “Junior’s Farm” by Wings, which is surprisingly effective.
“Highway Song” by Blackfoot is a must, as is the Outlaws’ “Green Grass and High Tides”.
Can’t think of specific driving songs but for me spending most of my life in Ontario there are places that I associate with certain artists and songs that I wish I could call up or time to play when I get there.
– Exiting Hwy. 400 southbound at Hwy. 9 reminds me of “Nova Heart” by the Spoons along with the similarly sounding “New World Man” by Rush (from my youth when my parents listened to the original “Spirit of Radio” station).
– Further north around Orillia I think of Zeppelin’s ‘In Through The Out Door’ with “All My Love” in my head watching boats pass through a lock and the middle eight of “In The Evening” good for a sunset before leaving the cottage.
– Down Hwy. 6 from Owen Sound I think of early ’80s R.E.M. passing through rural Ontario (I cannot compare to Georgia since I ain’t been down there) all because I had a can of Orange Crush waiting for me when we got home, if I was a good boy.
That’s my trip.
Rearview mirror by Pearl Jam, Daredevil or Locked in the trunk of a car by The Hip, Archeologists by Wintersleep, or Runnin down a dream by Tom Petty
Armin van Buuren: A State of Trance series
Great stuff when driving from Regina to Winnipeg at night as there is nothing to see anyways. You finally hit Brandon then realize “Oh crap still 2 1/2 hrs til we finally get to The Peg”. Almost there as you pass Portage and see the glow of the city lights. Blasting Van Buuren’s trance beats and you’re like “YEAH! Finally made it”
Radar Love by Golden Earing, and my Hardest Hits cds.
Radar Love – Golden Earring
Constructive Summer by Hold Steady
Queen Bitch by David Bowie
Sausalito Summernight by Diesel
Read My Mind by The Killers
I Wanna Be Adored by The Stone Roses – actually, the whole first album by The Stone Roses is great driving music!
The Passenger by Iggy Pop