Drive Time

With the official start of summer just a few days away, wanderlust is high. A timeless ritual presents itself to the adventurous…it’s road trip season. With that in mind, here’s some tunes for cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway from San Fran to L.A.; for burning up the road in Big Sky country; or for just sitting in traffic wherever you may be.

Now, it must be noted that everyone has their own method for compiling mixes, and “road song” collections tend to produce a fair amount of heated debate for a variety of reasons. For example, one might say, “What is a road song”? It is a song explicitly about driving? Is it a song that’s just good to rock out to while doing 80 down the freeway? Far be it for me to say I have the answers to those questions, but I tend to indulge both the mellow and the loud when I approach mixes of this nature. For that reason, I have created two lists…one of a more relaxed (some might even say, contemplative) nature, and the other for simply getting out to enjoy the primal release when you’re behind the wheel of a car and there’s miles of open road between you and anything that matter. The “Mello” mix tends to contain songs that mention driving specifically or at least refer to it (be it in the title or in a particular verse); the “Open Highway” is more of a jumble, but to my mind, they both have their merits. Enjoy. (Artist listed alphabetically)

“Mello Mix”:
“Drive” The Cars
“Fast Car” Tracy Chapman
“200 More Miles” Cowboy Junkies
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” Crowded House
“It’s Summertime” The Flaming Lips
“In Your Eyes” Peter Gabriel
“Graduation Day” Chris Isaak
“Going to California” Led Zeppelin
“Why Georgia” John Mayer
“Learning to Fly” Tom Petty
“There is a Light That Never Goes Out” The Smiths
“Racing in the Streets” Bruce Springsteen (live version)
“Thunder Road” Bruce Springsteen (acoustic version)
“Old ‘55er” Tom Waits
“Far Far Away” Wilco
“Unknown Legend” Neil Young


“Open Highway Mix”:
“Statesboro Blues” Allman Brothers Band
“Up on Cripple Creek” The Band
“Down on the Corner” Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Layla” Derek & The Dominoes
“L.A. Woman” The Doors
“Over the Hills and Far Away” Led Zeppelin
“Crosstown Traffic” Jimi Hendrix
“Small Town” John Cougar Mellencamp
“Cissy Strut” The Meters
“The Joker” Steve Miller Band
“Crusin” The Rascals
“Torn and Frayed” Rolling Stones
“Bobby Jean” Bruce Springsteen
“Magic Carpet Ride” Steppenwolf
“Interstate Love Song” Stone Temple Pilots
“Baba O’ Riley” The Who


It should be noted that both the Allman Brothers and Bruce Springsteen have a multitude of songs that could be used on a driving mix. Investigate their catalogues if you’re unfamiliar with either acts music…you won’t be disappointed.