I MADE YOU A PLAYLIST: Unleaded ⛽️
An ode to the open road
ROADDDD TRIPPPPPPP!!!!!
The car is hands-down full-stop without a shadow of doubt my favorite place to listen to music. There is simply! nothing! like it! And while it has been scientifically proven (by me, a scientist) that all songs sound better in the car, there are, of course, some that rise above the rest—those songs, albums, artists that always understand the assignment and can rightfully fill the coveted role of Road Trip Soundtrack.
Before we get to the tunes, I need to elaborate on a few of the main reasons why car jam sessions are the best jam sessions. Plot twist: They have nothing to do with the sound system.
First of all, you’re blessed with a captive audience. Is there anything more exciting than sharing a song with your copilot(s) and seizing the chance to fully geek out and run back your favorite parts as many times as you want because they essentially have no choice in the matter?
Secondly, while we’re on the subject of copilots/passengers… I love that split second when a song accidentally starts over and someone makes a halfhearted attempt to survey the car about what to queue next, but everyone just nonchalantly agrees that “no this is fine, really” and claims they were about to request it again anyway. These moments of mutual obsession are incredibly rare, so when they do happen, you should absolutely cherish them.
Lastly, it’s always wonderful when the song matches the scenery so perfectly that your brain has no choice but to memorize the moment forever… Like the time I played “Out of the Woods” on loop for an hour and a half as I drove through southern Indiana on a perfect October morning in 2014, or the time my family was visiting Hawaii and I played John Mayer’s impeccable cover of “American Pie” on our way up to the top of an insanely beautiful mountain and 10 minutes felt like 10 hours.
Peak summer travel season is upon us, so consider this my heartfelt homage to the music that successfully shepherds me from Point A to Point B time and time again. I know everyone has their own road trip go-to’s, and I’m certainly not asking you to throw yours out the window. Your car, your rules. I totally get it.
All I’m asking is that you’ll be my copilot for just a sec. Allow me to jump on the aux, to geek out a little, to sit in the virtual driver’s seat and secretly cross my fingers behind the steering wheel in hopes that you’ll like whatever I have queued as much as I do. And maybe, justtt maybe, one of those magical moments of mutual obsession will strike and you’ll be inspired to add a few new picks to your road trip roster.
Seatbelts??? ☑️ Buckle up. Here we go.
Songs
I’m stealing a line from a decidedly mediocre movie with a surprisingly amazing road trip montage (honestly the best on-screen depiction of the quintessential ~solo road trip~ I’ve ever seen). The film I’m referring to is Elizabethtown, starring Kirsten Dunst and Orlando Bloom. If you’ve never seen it, no worries—the plot is not what’s important here. All that matters is the moment when Kirsten Dunst’s character explains to Orlando Bloom’s character that “some music needs air.” She says the line while he’s in his car on some midwestern highway somewhere, and then suddenly this song starts playing:
SOME. MUSIC. NEEDS. AIR. Do you get it? It’s perfect. Please tell me you get it. (If you don’t, it’s fine, just skip ahead because I’m not finished yet.) Ever since I watched that scene and found this song, the whole idea has inadvertently become my litmus test/general criteria for what constitutes a real, true driving song. I’ve found that, like this Wheat track, all the best driving songs make me feel invincible and emotional all at once. They’re powerful but spacious and light, propelling me towards my destination while making me question whether my car might lift off the highway and ascend into the clouds at any second. Magic!!!
A few others that fit the bill:
“No Vacancy” by Nightly - Just wait for the second chorus (around 2:17) when it literally sounds like you’re flying. It’s simply perfect.
“Single, No Return” by Ten Fe - This song is the gift that keeps on giving. Every time I listen I hear something new and love it even more.
“Meet Me in the City” by Adam Doleac - My GOODNESS this song!!! It is the MOST fun! The last minute especially is pure joy and I always listen at least three times in a row before moving on to anything else.
Albums
These are my start-to-finish play-all-the-way-through tried-and-true road records that work no matter the season or weather. I can’t explain it, but I always end up listening to one of these no matter how much new music I have in the queue. They simply were made to be heard in a moving vehicle.
Flaming Red - Patty Griffin
Best played on the Pennyrile Parkway in Kentucky, or any obscure highway with a high speed limit and minimal traffic
Top tracks: “Change” and “Carry Me”
Tunnel of Love - Bruce Springsteen
Best played around sunset/dusk, ideally while passing through the last big city you’ll hit before reaching your destination
Top tracks: “All That Heaven Will Allow” and “Tunnel of Love”
The College Dropout - Kanye West
Best played in daylight hours during an iced coffee power hour
Top tracks: “Get ‘Em High” and “Through the Wire”
Playlists
May I present: The two very best road trip playlists I have to offer right now. The first is a catch-all, full of surprises and random favorites. The second is a slightly more focused roundup of 80s-ish anthems/synth pop/arena rock, and it’s really, truly, honestly one of my favorite collections I’ve ever put together.
THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST: “Cruise Control”
VIBE: This one is all over the map… in a good way. Expect lots of the aforementioned “air” songs, plus some classic crowd pleasers and solid throwbacks. I promise there’s something for everyone!
FEATURING: “Mother We Just Can’t Get Enough” by New Radicals, “Say It Isn’t So” by The Outfield, “SGL” by Now, Now, “There’s Still A Light In the House” by Valley
AFTER-HOURS ANTHEMS: “Midnight”
VIBE: Fist-in-the-air jams for late night feelings and empty dark highways. (**Also works in daytime hours, don’t worry.**)
FEATURING: “Out of the Woods” by Taylor Swift, “Space Age Love Song” by A Flock of Seagulls, “Humiliation” by The National, “Shot At The Night” by The Killers
Okay! Off you go. May all your car snacks be satisfying and all your gas station bathrooms be sparkling.
Drive safe! 🛣
Natalie