The Ultimate Road Trip Playlist

[00Syd]

00Syd's avatar makes me want to nominate Lesley Gore.

Hell yeah. What's more road-trip-sing-along-y than "Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows?"

 

[graceanne]

Any road trip playlist must include Bohemian Rhapsody. All beings within the car, human or not, headbang to the solo just after that ridiculously high note is hit.

Agreed.

Rush's "Red Barchetta", song about a car, is very good for road trips. Also, "Xanadu"s full version is a guaranteed eleven minutes or so passed with a definitely pleasing melody.

K's a big rush fan, so we always end up listening to at least some of them on road trips.

 

[Tzara]

Hell yeah. What's more road-trip-sing-along-y than "Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows?"

Well, nothing, actually.

 

[graceanne]

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I thought of some!

Lyndard Skynard and Meatloaf. We don't do any car trip without them. And Heart, of course, but that's for me more than it is for him. (I listen to them so much he's sick of them.)

 

[Keroin]

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I thought of some!

Lyndard Skynard and Meatloaf. We don't do any car trip without them. And Heart, of course, but that's for me more than it is for him. (I listen to them so much he's sick of them.)

Ha, I worked with Meatloaf, or "Meat", as he likes to be called. Nice guy, very down to earth. And what a set of pipes!

As for Heart, "Barracuda" is on my running playlist

 

[Tzara]

I might rip Blue Scholars or The New Pornographers, or even vintage Stones, but I am obviously older than you are, so my taste is different.

 

[Keroin]

I might rip Blue Scholars or The New Pornographers, or even vintage Stones, but I am obviously older than you are, so my taste is different.

No, no, I love the Stones - particularly that song!

BTW, I'm 41, so I'm not sooo young. Well, in my head I'm young

I also had a quick listen to your other picks...sweet! Gotta get my ass to the tennis court but I'll have a better listen later. THANKS!

 

[Seurat]

Oooooooh!
Golden Earring is another good choice, with classics like "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone", and I get a lot of good vibe from Clash. You'd probably like Joe Strummer's solo work as well.

Thought thief, stealing my post before I post.

I like energetic music, but still enjoy a depth of emotion, and tend to dig Celtic vibe, so Flogging Molly would be a definite suggestion, and The Pogues, of course. Recent intro to Mumford and Sons leaves me spinning their stuff a lot in the car.

For less involved listening in the electronic age, I like both Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx.

Louis Prima sees lots and lots of spin-time in the truck, and never fails to please.

I could probably go on all day. Each of my computers has different content in my mp3 library, and this one has, oh, 11000+ songs on it right now.

I hear you. My main library is up to 65K when you include books and 'casts. If you are into trading let me know. As for me, it gets hard to choose. If its just the wife and I, it is either Phantom or 80's. If the back seat is occupied, Disney gets put on.

K, how about the Who's Going Mobile, Elvis Costello's Watching the Detectives, Allman Brothers Statesboro Blues, Blues Brothers Expressway to your heart, ZZTop Heard it on the X...

The list goes on, but I think I got a quick sampling - classic rock, 80s, country rock, Blues, Southern rock - you need to give more info on what you like.

 

[Kikori]

Xanadu? Like the Olivia Newton-John Xanadu??

Like the song from their album "A Farewell to Kings".

Never heard of an Olivia Newton-John version.

 

[00Syd]

Well, nothing, actually.

Man... Her HAIR!! Ugh, if only I could get mine so perfect.

 

[Netzach]

I might rip Blue Scholars or The New Pornographers, or even vintage Stones, but I am obviously older than you are, so my taste is different.

Yes. "Stacked Crooked" by NewPo turns a bus ride into a road trip.

Talking Heads for the sing along factor.

Are forlorn and burnt out white men screaming OK? Because tracks like "The Swish" or "Yr Little Hoodrat Friend" by the Hold Steady are good.

 

[Lizzie_Borden]

Um. The only way to start a road trip is with Bohemian Rhapsody.

This.


Otherwise, I tend to go for anything I can sing along to. I love to sing in the car. Loudly, and badly.

 

[FloggingMolly]

For me, its gotta be classic rock (more than a feeling, freebird, since you've been gone, rebel yell, almost anything by queen, in fact the Power Ballads album (click for track list) covers a large part of it).

Also, Flogging Molly (obviously), Foo Fighters and Metallica all come with us.

 

[Homburg]

Ooo, lots of new names to explore! Thanks

11,000 songs...

When L and I drove from Vancouver to Florida in 2003 we had to rent a Uhaul in order to have a rental vehicle big enough to tow our boat that could be insured for it (we were moving to the Bahamas, by boat). Unfortunately, the Uhaul only had am/fm radio, no tape deck, no CD player, nothing.

There are large swaths of your country, BTW, that do not have any radio stations. As we'd approach any big urban area we'd scramble to find a decent station as fast as possible. Then, as we passed out of the big urban area, the static would start...

Thank Cod for MP3's!

Got to got to got to have a CD player or something. Got. To.

If I could figure a simple way to get my tape collection onto MP3, I would be in heaven. I have SO many great tapes!

Just listened to some Flogging Molly. I think you might like "Home for a Rest" by Spirit of the West. That's one that's been on various playlists of mine for a long time. If "Roam" is the song I listen to at the start of the Journey, this is the song I listen to at the end, on the way home

Hah! I have this tune on my HDD! I heard it, geeze, about two weeks ago on shuffle. I really dig this song, and have been looking for more by them.

Canada apparently has a brilliant celtic folk scene (along with a rockin ska scene, go Canada!). I would do violence to get a copy of a coupla discs by The Town Pants. Their version of "MacPhearson's Lament" is my favourite version of that tune by far and away.

Just had a quick listen to snippets from all your suggestions...like Southern Culture on the Skids! Funky!! Reminded me a bit of the Cramps "Can Your Pussy do the Dog?" a bit.

Nice!

*blinks*

I totally should've thought of SCOTS. Syd and I were mutually geeking on them about a year ago. I hear they're great live too. Another friend of mine is a huge fan and has travelled to hear them play many times.

I hear you. My main library is up to 65K when you include books and 'casts. If you are into trading let me know. As for me, it gets hard to choose. If its just the wife and I, it is either Phantom or 80's. If the back seat is occupied, Disney gets put on.

K, how about the Who's Going Mobile, Elvis Costello's Watching the Detectives, Allman Brothers Statesboro Blues, Blues Brothers Expressway to your heart, ZZTop Heard it on the X...

The list goes on, but I think I got a quick sampling - classic rock, 80s, country rock, Blues, Southern rock - you need to give more info on what you like.

Some good stuff there. The album that "Watching the Detectives" is on is such an incredible classic. Elvis Costello is a big fave of viv's, and I can't blame her. When I use her van, I usually toss in one of his CD's, as they're always laying around in it somewhere.

As to the 11k+ songs, I still have, geeze, probably another 100 or CD's sitting around that haven't been ripped onto my computer, and the other boxes int he house have their own selections as well. Both viv and MIS grab music off of me regularly, so there is plenty of cross-pollination.

On this machine I've gone through and pulled off all the doubles, bad versions, songs that I don't care for, etc. It is literally 11576 songs (as of this moment) that I actually like. I am almost obsessive about pruning it regularly. I don't want to be that guy what has a terabyte of music but can't identify 75% of it.

 

[Homburg]

What about Steve Earle? Bluegrass, folk, country, and serious deep liberal political convictions.

"Copperhead Road" could've been about my dad had he taken a left instead of a right after the war in Viet Nam ended.

 

[rosco rathbone]

LA Woman has a roady sound


The rockers on Exile...All Down the Line, Rocks Off

 

[Seurat]

I don't want to be that guy what has a terabyte of music but can't identify 75% of it.

*raises hand*


I always have the best of intentions, then something gets in the way.

 

[eastern sun]

I second LA Woman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Bohemian Rhapsody. And recommend The Eurythmics' Touch album, Tracy Chapman, Michelle Shocked - anything on Arkansas Traveler, and (yes, I know it's country - but . . .) Crystal Gayle is great on the road. Oh, and Donna Summer - she works really well in the middle of the night. I also like to drive with Paula Cole - Where Have All the Cowboys Gone. And Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man.

 

[Tzara]

Man... Her HAIR!! Ugh, if only I could get mine so perfect.

You don't have the advantage of chlorofluorocarbon propellant aerosol hairspray, but your 'do looks pretty authentic to me, and I was "there," as one says.

 

[Tzara]

Some good stuff there. The album that "Watching the Detectives" is on is such an incredible classic. Elvis Costello is a big fave of viv's, and I can't blame her. When I use her van, I usually toss in one of his CD's, as they're always laying around in it somewhere.

My Aim is True. Yes, super-excellent, though perhaps my favorite Elvis cut is Radio, Radio.

As to the 11k+ songs, I still have, geeze, probably another 100 or CD's sitting around that haven't been ripped onto my computer, and the other boxes int he house have their own selections as well. Both viv and MIS grab music off of me regularly, so there is plenty of cross-pollination.

On this machine I've gone through and pulled off all the doubles, bad versions, songs that I don't care for, etc. It is literally 11576 songs (as of this moment) that I actually like. I am almost obsessive about pruning it regularly. I don't want to be that guy what has a terabyte of music but can't identify 75% of it.

I'm Old School or, probably, just old, so I don't have all that much ripped to digital. My main taste is classical, which doesn't translate well to "songs." Still have boxes of LPs, tapes, and probably a couple thousand CDs, though.

Now, if I'd only bought Microsoft/Dell/Amazon/whatever stock with all that money, I'd be living in Ibiza.

 

[TypicalDeviant]

Grab "P Funk; Uncut Funk; Da Bomb" by Parliament, or at least as many songs off of it as you can. For remember, funk not only moves, it can REmove, dig?

The White Stripes, Raconteurs (Saboteurs if you're an Aussie), and the Deadweather are all good. They all have Jack White as a main member, but sound different enough to each merit their own listening time.

The Allman Brothers - Eat a Peach (album)

Blue Oyster Cult - I'm particularly fond of "On Flames with Rock and Roll". It's a "best of" album that is 100% great.

Breakestra - Hit the Floor (album)

Mike Doughty - anything, it's all good. And if you want his music before he quit heroin, check out Soul Coughing (of Circles and Super Bon Bon fame)

MSTRKRFT - The Looks or Fist of God (albums), but they're techno, which is not for everyone

ZZ Top - the following albums are a must; Deguello, Tres Hombres, Fandago.


As you can tell, I've made my share of roadtrips and I tend to prefer albums over songs - I like the experience of the album as a whole. So, with that in mind, I will direct you to:

The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium

It's alt/prog rock. The singer as a unique vocal style. It's... wonderful. Just don't fall asleep to it. I did, once, and woke up shaking and sweating to the last track. Also, don't expect a lot of 4/4 or standard music theory... I realize that the previous paragraph is not a rousing endorsement, but I'm self-aware enough to know that not everyone likes the same things I do and I just wanted to let you know what you're getting in to, should you decide to listen to any of their music. If it helps level it out, I own all of their albums and have seen them in concert three times... and got my first speeding ticket to track 3 of "De-Loused..."


Anyway, a few remaining bands - Mano Negra (French/Spanish rock/pop pastiche) and Manu Chao (leader of Mano Negra has his own solo work), The Yardbirds, Cake, The Presidents of the United States of America, and Prince.



Also, grab Jupiter, from Holst's The Planets. It'll prove that not all classical will put you to sleep. ;-)

 

[MasterPhoenix]

Consider it done.

Hey, have you heard about the Rush documentary - "Beyond the Lighted Stage"?

I gotta get this.

 

[Homburg]

My Aim is True. Yes, super-excellent, though perhaps my favorite Elvis cut is Radio, Radio.

Holy shit, that was an amazing video. Props to the Beastie Boys, wow.

I'm Old School or, probably, just old, so I don't have all that much ripped to digital. My main taste is classical, which doesn't translate well to "songs." Still have boxes of LPs, tapes, and probably a couple thousand CDs, though.

Now, if I'd only bought Microsoft/Dell/Amazon/whatever stock with all that money, I'd be living in Ibiza.

This is a feeling that I know all too well. But, honestly, had you done that you might be on the beach in Ibiza, but your life would have been infinitely poorer for it.

I would choose to go blind before going deaf.

--

Grab "P Funk; Uncut Funk; Da Bomb" by Parliament, or at least as many songs off of it as you can. For remember, funk not only moves, it can REmove, dig?

The White Stripes, Raconteurs (Saboteurs if you're an Aussie), and the Deadweather are all good. They all have Jack White as a main member, but sound different enough to each merit their own listening time.

The Allman Brothers - Eat a Peach (album)

Blue Oyster Cult - I'm particularly fond of "On Flames with Rock and Roll". It's a "best of" album that is 100% great.

Breakestra - Hit the Floor (album)

Mike Doughty - anything, it's all good. And if you want his music before he quit heroin, check out Soul Coughing (of Circles and Super Bon Bon fame)

MSTRKRFT - The Looks or Fist of God (albums), but they're techno, which is not for everyone

ZZ Top - the following albums are a must; Deguello, Tres Hombres, Fandago.


As you can tell, I've made my share of roadtrips and I tend to prefer albums over songs - I like the experience of the album as a whole. So, with that in mind, I will direct you to:

The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium

It's alt/prog rock. The singer as a unique vocal style. It's... wonderful. Just don't fall asleep to it. I did, once, and woke up shaking and sweating to the last track. Also, don't expect a lot of 4/4 or standard music theory... I realize that the previous paragraph is not a rousing endorsement, but I'm self-aware enough to know that not everyone likes the same things I do and I just wanted to let you know what you're getting in to, should you decide to listen to any of their music. If it helps level it out, I own all of their albums and have seen them in concert three times... and got my first speeding ticket to track 3 of "De-Loused..."


Anyway, a few remaining bands - Mano Negra (French/Spanish rock/pop pastiche) and Manu Chao (leader of Mano Negra has his own solo work), The Yardbirds, Cake, The Presidents of the United States of America, and Prince.



Also, grab Jupiter, from Holst's The Planets. It'll prove that not all classical will put you to sleep. ;-)

There's a LOT of really excellent suggestions here. I especially agree with Mano Negra/Manu Chao. It's remarkably good stuff, and always different.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Everything by the Young Gods: best autobahn music.


Also Can, Kraftwerk, etc

 

[rosco rathbone]

One of my favorite driving songs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fmG29HyCQo&feature=related


wait for the keyboard break at 5:22, sounds like Ray Manzarek fighting it out with a sample of a buzz saw.


This one always makes me imagine myself in a Ferrari with Friedrich Neitzsche riding shotgun. If the headlong guitar sample (Metallica?) that kicks off at 46 seconds doesn't make you put the pedal to the metal, nothing will. D'accord!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVLfKbZ_syw