The Road Trip: A Blissful Drive
The great American road trip – a time-honored tradition where uncharted roads await with unexpected adventures and breathtaking scenery. There’s nothing quite like setting out on the open road with an endless playlist of tunes. However, it’s essential to curate the perfect road trip playlist – music that matches the terrain, the mood, and the atmosphere. Here are ten road trip songs guaranteed to set your journey off on the right note.
1. “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
There’s no road trip without Bruce Springsteen, and “Born to Run” is the ultimate anthem for any journey. The track sparkles with the promise of freedom, adventure, and excitement. Springsteen’s crooning voice accompanies a driving bassline, howling guitar solos, and the ever-present saxophone. It’s a song destined to make you sing at the top of your lungs.
2. “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane
“Life is a Highway,” the hit single by Tom Cochrane, is the perfect song for anyone anticipating a long road trip. The song’s driving beat, combined with the lyrics about adventure and an exhaustless determination to see the world, turns any drive into a veritable adventure.
3. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
Queen’s timeless classic “Bohemian Rhapsody” is an all-time favorite for any playlist and any mood, but there’s something about hearing “Scaramouche, Scaramouche, can you do the Fandango” while cruising winding roads and open highways that can’t be beaten.
4. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Skynyrd’s massive hit “Sweet Home Alabama” is arguably one of the most renowned road trip songs of all time. It’s a song that can transport you to the deep south, with a foot-tapping rhythm, electric guitar riffs, and infectious vocals that can make anyone forget they’re just listening to a song.
5. “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC
There’s something about the Australian hard rock scene that perfectly fits the road trip aesthetic. No Australian band can do it better than AC/DC. Their smash hit “Highway to Hell” is the quintessential road trip song. With its aggressive, fast-paced guitar riffs and lead singer Brian Johnson’s rough and ready vocals, it’s a song that can charge any mood and drive any journey – and maybe even get you a speeding ticket somewhere along the line.
6. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers
The Proclaimers’ upbeat pop-rock classic “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” is a song perfect for road trips, sing-alongs, and good memories. The catchy chorus, punched-up by twanging guitar and boisterous drums, makes it ideal for long stretches of undisturbed driving on endless highways.
7. “Take It Easy” by The Eagles
The Eagles’ “Take It Easy” is another song that fits the road trip aesthetics to a tee. This timeless classic encourages travellers to take it easy, to go with the flow and let loose on the open road, accompanied by sweet guitar chords and Don Henley’s velvety voice.
8. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
The ultimate power-ballad and a go-to for any karaoke session, “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey is a song that belongs on any road trip playlist. The timeless classic is famous for its upbeat rhythm and lively lyrics that can lift any mood and inspire anyone driving to dream of bigger and better things waiting at the end of the road.
9. “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac’s legendary hit “Go Your Own Way” is a timeless anthem for anyone craving freedom, independence, and adventure. The song’s funky bassline accompanied by incendiary guitar riffs and Stevie Nicks’ ethereal voice, make it perfect for long drives filled with discovery and endless possibilities.
10. “Life in the Fast Lane” by The Eagles
The road trip playlist wouldn’t be complete without the Eagles’ classic hit “Life in the Fast Lane.” This timeless classic is perfect for any trip with a powerful guitar riff that keeps you feeling alive, a catchy chorus, and memorable lyrics. It’s no wonder this all-time classic still resonates decades later as the perfect driving song.
The Perfect Playlist for an Epic Journey
A perfect road trip playlist is essential when planning a fantastic drive, and these ten unforgettable songs are guaranteed to set the perfect tone. They will set the right mood for your journey and keep your spirits up. And with these songs, your road trip will undoubtedly be one for the books!
