America is cars and music. It’s just a fact that is evidenced by the way that we live. Look at the roads that we drive on. Look at the way our stores get their inventory. Our roads are huge compared to the old ones of the United Kingdom where our forefathers came from. The majority of the products that each of us buy from Wal-Mart are shipped via an 18 wheeler trucks. Whether you have noticed it or not America has gasoline running through its veins and a thumping backbeat for a heart. Even when people see cars as just transportation they can get into their beige sedan as they leave work on a Friday, hear a good song and immediately be teleported behind the wheel of a red-hot Ferrari. Here for everyone’s consideration I present MY top 10 driving songs. These songs have specifically been chosen to elevate pulses and speedometers.
Now I must take a moment to warn those out their without open minds. Some of these songs, if not more than 50%, will be country songs. I will provide inks to all their videos so that if you make it past this paragraph you can see for yourself if I am lying or not. Oh, yeah., no particular or is meant by each song’s number.
No. 1: Jason Aldean - Johnny Cash (COUNTRY)
This hard driving country track ropes you in from the very start. Thumping drums, wailin’ guitar and cowbell will prepare your foot for the gas mashing to come. Usually I don’t think that a song is necessarily a driving song just because it has random trips and cars in the song, but this one is an exception. Aldean has a voice that sounds like it would be equally suited to 80s stadium rock as much as it fits in with modern country.
This hard driving country track ropes you in from the very start. Thumping drums, wailin’ guitar and cowbell will prepare your foot for the gas mashing to come. Usually I don’t think that a song is necessarily a driving song just because it has random trips and cars in the song, but this one is an exception. Aldean has a voice that sounds like it would be equally suited to 80s stadium rock as much as it fits in with modern country.
No. 2: Kenny Chesney - Young (COUNTRY)
I hesitated to include this song on the list because, at first, I thought it wasn’t fast enough. It didn’t have the deep primal grunt I was looking for. However, I came back to it. Something about the imagery and the harmonies that Chesney puts together just evoke something in the soul of someone, like myself ,who is slowly creeping toward nostalgia. I will add that this song might be more suited to highway driving rather than the quick lane changes of city driving.
I hesitated to include this song on the list because, at first, I thought it wasn’t fast enough. It didn’t have the deep primal grunt I was looking for. However, I came back to it. Something about the imagery and the harmonies that Chesney puts together just evoke something in the soul of someone, like myself ,who is slowly creeping toward nostalgia. I will add that this song might be more suited to highway driving rather than the quick lane changes of city driving.
No. 3: Dierks Bentley - Free and Easy (COUNTRY)
Now I know what you’re thinking. “Oh, man. Another country song.” I would then say to you, “I already told you this is MY list.” At any rate Dierks would have fallen short with this song if it didn’t have the rolling banjo as it’s base. No banjo. No list. A slick drum beat and a banjo scream speed. That’s why I had to put this song on the list. As an added bonus the song is singing about going down a road. Taken literally or metaphorically the song just revs.
Now I know what you’re thinking. “Oh, man. Another country song.” I would then say to you, “I already told you this is MY list.” At any rate Dierks would have fallen short with this song if it didn’t have the rolling banjo as it’s base. No banjo. No list. A slick drum beat and a banjo scream speed. That’s why I had to put this song on the list. As an added bonus the song is singing about going down a road. Taken literally or metaphorically the song just revs.
No. 4: Theory of a Deadman - Bad Girlfrriend (ROCK)
If there were a perfect driving song Theory of a Deadman comes as close as you can get. Overdriven guitar and a raspy voiced singer, it doesn’t get much more appropriate than that. This song is also a perfect example of what to do right in a song over and over. When driving there is no time to remember complicated and introspective lyrics. “Bad Girlfriend” gives a Motor Head just what they need, a chorus and some guitar. Thank you very much.
If there were a perfect driving song Theory of a Deadman comes as close as you can get. Overdriven guitar and a raspy voiced singer, it doesn’t get much more appropriate than that. This song is also a perfect example of what to do right in a song over and over. When driving there is no time to remember complicated and introspective lyrics. “Bad Girlfriend” gives a Motor Head just what they need, a chorus and some guitar. Thank you very much.
No. 5: Free - All Right Now (ROCK)
Listen and you’ll know what I mean. It’s the only song that Free ever had that was a big hit. The guitar is brilliant and perfectly suited for getting where you’re going very fast. The middle part of the song is somewhat of a detraction because of the slowdown, but think of it as time to look for police and state troopers the guitar comes back around.
Listen and you’ll know what I mean. It’s the only song that Free ever had that was a big hit. The guitar is brilliant and perfectly suited for getting where you’re going very fast. The middle part of the song is somewhat of a detraction because of the slowdown, but think of it as time to look for police and state troopers the guitar comes back around.
No. 6: Sugarland - Down In Mississippi (Up To No Good) (COUNTRY)
I’ve got wildcards coming out of my ears. Sugarland has a female lead singer. The fact that this song made it on the list is a testament to the talent of Jennifer Nettles. She has a great voice and has an innate ability to make a listener forget the content of the song, if they’re male, and just enjoy the ride. I also count this as the one pick I’ll give the ladies to show them I’m not sexist.
I’ve got wildcards coming out of my ears. Sugarland has a female lead singer. The fact that this song made it on the list is a testament to the talent of Jennifer Nettles. She has a great voice and has an innate ability to make a listener forget the content of the song, if they’re male, and just enjoy the ride. I also count this as the one pick I’ll give the ladies to show them I’m not sexist.
No. 7: Del Amitri - Roll To Me (ROCK)
Now I do this one in honor of my father. There has to be a variety in your driving mix and without that the drive becomes monotonous. I’ve tried to create a balance in this list and Del Amitri provides some of that ballast. Their hit “Roll To Me” from the 90s is an upbeat rock rhythm that puts you in a mood of relaxation while at the same time creating a need for speed.
Now I do this one in honor of my father. There has to be a variety in your driving mix and without that the drive becomes monotonous. I’ve tried to create a balance in this list and Del Amitri provides some of that ballast. Their hit “Roll To Me” from the 90s is an upbeat rock rhythm that puts you in a mood of relaxation while at the same time creating a need for speed.
No. 8: Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone (ROCK) (sorta)
…Speaking of a “need for speed.” Kenny Loggins played a big part in making Top Gun cool (as if freakin’ jets aren’t enough). Listening to this song in the appropriate car with appropriate horsepower will make you think that you are wearing a flight suit and a helmet that says “Maverick,” or “Goose” if you’re lame. It’s the imagery brought on by being paired with a jet movie like Top Gun that makes this song so cool.
…Speaking of a “need for speed.” Kenny Loggins played a big part in making Top Gun cool (as if freakin’ jets aren’t enough). Listening to this song in the appropriate car with appropriate horsepower will make you think that you are wearing a flight suit and a helmet that says “Maverick,” or “Goose” if you’re lame. It’s the imagery brought on by being paired with a jet movie like Top Gun that makes this song so cool.
No. 9: AC/DC - Rock ‘n’ Roll Train (ROCK)
AC/DC has many songs that are worthy of being on anyone’s driving list. I put this one on here to represent all of those even though it is the most recent. Never let it be said that AC/DC had a varied formula but, boy it sure is a formula that works. I have yet to hear a song from them that didn’t sound awesome. AC/DC has made yet another driving hit with Rock ‘n’ Roll Train.
AC/DC has many songs that are worthy of being on anyone’s driving list. I put this one on here to represent all of those even though it is the most recent. Never let it be said that AC/DC had a varied formula but, boy it sure is a formula that works. I have yet to hear a song from them that didn’t sound awesome. AC/DC has made yet another driving hit with Rock ‘n’ Roll Train.
No. 10: Brad Paisley & Keith Urban - Start A Band (COUNTRY)
Honestly, who thought I was going to end the list with songs that weren’t country. Paisley and Urban are two of the top guitarists in country music today and show off their guitar chops on this song. The chorus makes the song. The tune is simple and catchy. There isn’t much more to say than that. The song just rocks.
A list is never really finished. This is just a taste of thousands of songs that are good for driving. Whether screaming around town or laying it out on the freeway I guarantee, if you’ve got the gears to shift, these songs will send you into a world of pounding hearts and high speed where tickets run rampant.
Honestly, who thought I was going to end the list with songs that weren’t country. Paisley and Urban are two of the top guitarists in country music today and show off their guitar chops on this song. The chorus makes the song. The tune is simple and catchy. There isn’t much more to say than that. The song just rocks.
A list is never really finished. This is just a taste of thousands of songs that are good for driving. Whether screaming around town or laying it out on the freeway I guarantee, if you’ve got the gears to shift, these songs will send you into a world of pounding hearts and high speed where tickets run rampant.
Disclaimer: I endorse all moments of speed and driving fast.
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