Technology has come a long way since the 'mix-tape', but the basic equation of a driving soundtrack, the ultimate traveling accompaniment on a long road trip, remains the same. Driving music is best when it is an adrenaline fueled, passionate anthem, filled with sub decibels, throbbing tom solos, dirty guitar riffs and a signature chorus that implores you to sing along at the top of your lungs.
Great driving music generally follows themes of freedom, heartbreak, living life on the edge, as well as hitting the open road or the artist’s beloved vehicle.
Here is a selection of some of the very best road trip songs, perfect to launch your driving holiday into the ‘trip of a lifetime’ stakes: Kickstart My Heart and Dr Feelgood by The Motley Crue; Legs and Heard It On The X by ZZ Top; Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins; Living On a Prayer and You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi; Roadhouse Blues by The Jeff Healy Band; Highway to Hell by ACDC; Free Falling by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers; Smoke on the Water by Creedence Clearwater Revival; Low Rider by War; Barracuda by Heart; Rebel Yell by Billy Idol; Cars by Gary Numan; Call Me by Blondie; Born to Run and Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen; Brand New Cadillac by The Clash; Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf; More Than; A Feeling by Boston; Driving Wheels by Jimmy Barnes; and Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.
As well as the nostalgic, classic driving songs, there is a swathe of modern equivalents.
They include: Walk This Way by Aerosmith vs Run DMC; Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz; Starlight by Muse; Camaro by Kings of Leon; When You Were Young by The Killers; Live Forever by Oasis; Headlights Look Like Diamonds by The Arcade Fire; Dakota by Stereophonics; Razor Blade by The Strokes; Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chilli Peppers; The High Road by Broken Bells; and Enter Sandman by Metallica.
If you have a road trip coming up, planning ahead is important. In addition to making the perfect playlist, ensure your car is up to the task by having a mechanic check it over at least a week before your trip. Learn how to change a tyre and check and change the cars fluid levels. Speak to your car insurance provider to make sure anyone else driving your car will be covered and also ask them about breakdown cover and 24-hour roadside assistance options. Last but not least, put together a few hours of classic driving music to entertain you along your journey.
The author of this article is a part of a digital marketing agency that works with brands like Admiral Group. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
