Inspired by Rolling Stone's recent post, Weekend Rock List: Best Road Trip Songs Ever, I decided to scroll through my music library and pick out what I think are the 22 greatest driving songs ever in preparation for Summer. Maybe you are cruising around your hometown or planning a cross-country road trip. Wherever you go be sure to consider some of these songs for the road. Disputes and suggestions are encouraged, please leave them in the comments. Without further ado, here's my list (in reverse order to keep up the spine-tingling suspense):
22. The Weight - The Band
A beautiful song featured in one of the great all time road trip movies. Not Road Trip, idiot, Easy Rider with Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and a young Jack Nicholson. Those who know the movie will know this won't be the only song from it featured on this list. Speaking of Jack Nicholson...
21. I'm Shipping Up to Boston - The Dropkick Murphys
This song was recently featured in The Departed with a (much older) Jack Nicholson. If you have seen the movie you know that this Celtic punk song repeats throughout. And it is awesome when it plays.
20. American Woman - The Guess Who
Once you get past the bluesy intro the song really kicks into gear with the tripped out guitar riff that will give anyone 70s muscle car fantasies. If you like Lenny Kravitz you can opt for his version... but I don't.
19. Drive My Car - The Beatles
Despite the fact that the girl in this song doesn't actually own a car, this makes a nice driving tune. Beep-beep-mm-beep-beep yeah!
18. Slow Ride - Foghat
Roll down the windows and cruise to this one. Foghat weren't big on lyrical content (Slow ride, take it easy... repeat) but this song rocks out and has a great beat.
17. Ramble On - Led Zeppelin
There are probably entire Led Zeppelin albums that would be appropriate driving music but I will constrain myself to this one song. Beautiful airy guitar and an excellent chorus make this a driving gem.
16. One Headlight - The Wallflowers
The Wallflowers are great for driving - simple beats and singable lyrics - but this song stands out as being particularly appropriate. I wonder why?
15. Highway Man - Johnny Cash
The beat behind Johnny Cash's music makes for perfect driving music. This song is perfect for rolling down long open highways.
14. Take the Money and Run - The Steve Miller Band
Maybe this song will provide some inspiration for an impromptu road trip following a run-in with the law. We won't endorse anything illegal, we'll just provide the soundtrack.
13. Ramblin' Man - The Allman Brothers Band
A classic traveling tune with a great story and stellar beat.
12. Fuel - Metallica
Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire. Probably the hardest rocking song on the list, it may not be for the faint of heart but try to suck it up and do a little headbanging. As a passenger that is, please don't headbang your way into something you might sue us for.
