15 Songs for Your Next Road Trip
Who else sometimes feels the need to take a road trip? That feeling of driving down the open road, exploring the unknown. It has been a tradition for so many of us from growing up to now. To me a big difference between taking a road trip as a kid and now is that we get to control the music.
I love taking a road trip and I love having great music playing in the car on those road trips. It’s great to be travelling along new roads with music blaring. So I thought I would share 15 of the songs I always have in my playlist for any road trip.
15 – Life is a Highway – Tom Cochrane
No road trip would be complete without Life is a Highway. By its very name it has to be on the list. It may not be the best rock song written, but who can’t start singing it when it comes on when you’re driving down the highway.
14 – Shut Up and Drive – Rihanna
While this might not be Rihanna’s best song (personally I think Umbrella is), it’s a great song for the road trip play list. It’s so much fun to be driving along singing “Shut up and drive” at the top of your lungs!
I had to include something from the 80’s pop genre. Who doesn’t try to dance in their car seats when this song comes on.
12 – I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) – The Proclaimers
Ok, can you honestly say this song doesn’t get everyone in the car singing? This 1980’s hit by The Proclaimers is a ridiculously catchy song and a great addition to your road trip play list.
11 – Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meatloaf
It would have been so easy to put other Meatloaf songs in this list – Bat Out of Hell is a favourite of mine. But I tried to stick with the “motoring” theme so decided to include this one.
10 – Drive – Shannon Noll
Ok this isn’t the best song ever written but it’s a great song to have on any road trip – it’s called “Drive” it has to be included! Really, it’s just a great song to have playing on those long stretches of road that you think will never end.
When the song starts with “I had to escape, the city was sticky and cruel” it’s a perfect song for those country road trips.
This iconic song had to be included. Whenever it’s on in the car, who doesn’t have those images from Easy Rider in their heads.
Australian’s growing up in the 1980’s will know this song well. I have memories of heading to the beach with this song on the radio. If you want a great chill out song to have between those great rock songs on your play list, then give this song a listen.
Ok so we wanted to think we were a bit rebellious growing up and for me that was listening to bands like The Clash. Not only does this song bring back memories, but it’s impossible not to sing it when it comes on in the car.
5 – Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
You can’t have a play list without some 80’s glam rock. And when a song starts with “I don’t know where I’m going” it’s a great start to any road trip.
4 – Come With Me Now – Kongos
I first heard this song while watching Expendables 3 (hey I like the old style action movies!) and have loved it ever since. I had to include it on my list purely because I love the beat. Try not to pretend to play drums on the dash board when this song comes one.
3 – I Ran – A Flock of Seagulls
While we may not want to admit it, who doesn’t know at least the chorus to this song! It’s one of my go to favourites for a road trip. Who doesn’t love the words “I ran, I ran so far away” when heading away for a holiday – isn’t that what we all feel like doing!
2 – Barracuda – Heart
Ok so Barracuda isn’t really about driving or being on the highway, but it has to be one of the best songs to have playing really loud and singing at the top of your lungs and that’s why it’s on my list.
1 – Highway to Hell – AC/DC
As an Australian, I grew up listening to this song and considering the distances between places in Australia, it can sometimes feel your on that highway, especially when driving through some of our more arid areas.
Alison
A road trip isn’t complete without a playlist (or a mixtape as I fondly remember them!!). Some 80s classics and a few Beach Boys hits always get me ready to go!
Lisa
AlisonVery fondly remember mixtapes too Alison! Always have to have a lot of classic 80s music on any road trip.