Who doesn’t love a good road trip? It’s an American pastime. You have your best pals in the car, you’re on your way to some place cool, and the best part – the good tunes on the radio. With modern technology, we are no longer subject to the radio (heaven forbid the service cuts out) or changing out CDs. My go-to software for playing music is Spotify. I pay for the premium subscription because I love being able to play a song on demand, and I still want my tunes when the cell service cuts out.
So, let’s get back to that beloved Spotify Road Trip playlist. What goes on it? For me, the tunes tend to be upbeat, fun, and something I can either sing along to or “dance” to (the most dancing you can do while driving). And most of them have a funny story behind them. So here are my five songs that I believe everyone should have on their road trip play list.
Aw yes, this song is a bit ironic because you’re in the car, maybe on the highway, but hopefully, you are on your way to someplace rad and not hell. And I hope that your drive there is not hell. The song has a great beat, is easy to sing to and the perfect song to start your road trip.
Quick story – I once was on my way to Monterey with a friend. A nasty winter storm has rolled in the night before. It knocked the power out of most of the business in Northern California (including gas stations), trees had fallen over and roadways were flooding. Still, my friend and I were determined to get to Monterey. We made in there, filling up at every little gas station we saw had power and plowed through the flooded 101. We were just a few miles from my cousin’s house when I accidentally went up the curb and popped my tire. The first song of that road trip was Highway to Hell.
Another great, fun, upbeat song. Wake Me Up was the theme song of our girls’ trip to Costa Rica. A young English woman introduced it to us and we are forever thankful she did! It has everything, a little EDM, some country and a little soul. I play this song on every road trip.
I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) – The Proclaimers
This song has been around since the late 80s, but it solidified itself on the road trip playlist when it was featured in an episode of How I Met Your Mother. This episode was the gang saying good-bye to Marshal’s beloved car through a series of flashbacks in the car. Turns out during the lifetime of the car, a Proclaimers single tape became logged in the stereo making it the only song available to play anytime you were in the car. This became the only road trip song for boys and their drive from New York to Minnesota during college.
I no way can sing like the songstress herself, but I love to pretend I can. This song has it all – emotion, heart, and the perfect lyrics for some carpool karaoke. And if you haven’t seen Adele’s carpool karaoke with James Corden add it to your YouTube playlist now!
Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes
Another lyrical genius of a song, the Pina Colada Song has been on road trip tapes, CDs and Spotify playlists since 1979. Maybe save this one for just before you reach your destination because you’ll be craving a Pina Colada at the end of this song!
What are your favorite road trip songs? Tell me in the comments below!
Until next time….
Cheers!
Keelie
Adventures and Life with Keelie 