Across the United States, and indeed the world, driving has been a popular well of inspiration for songwriters. As the Woodward Dream Cruise approaches, MMX steps on the gas and takes a look at some of the better-known driving songs both from here in the States and across the pond in the UK.
Billy Ocean – “Get outta My Dreams, Get into My Car”
“Get in the backseat baby,” sang Mr. Ocean, while people with taste cringed and women everywhere asked him to shave off his silly beard. A staple of ‘80s club dance floors, this horrid piece of polished radio-soul was annoyingly catchy and a global hit as a result. Nowadays, Billy has grown dreadlocks, gone grey and looks ever so slightly like George Clinton. He’s still pumping out nonsense like this though.
CW McCall – “Convoy”
As heard on the Kris Kristofferson movie of the same name, CW McCall’s country classic helped make trucking seem romantic and cool. Suddenly, kids everywhere were asking for CB radios for Christmas and using phrases like “10-4.” The song is a stunning slice of outlaw country and, even when driving a car, turns the open highway into a world of opportunity.
Gary Numan – “Cars”
“Here in my car, you’ll feel safest of all,” sings Gazza. Oh really? Then how come your robotic voice is making me feel decidedly nervous? Actually, “Cars” is an ‘80s classic and should be included in any list such as this. Few artists from that decade were as experimental and unique, and yet so commercially successful. Thankfully, he’s still making great music today.
The Cars – “Drive”
Overplayed and universally despised, “Drive” is actually a decent ballad when heard in the cold light of day. Sure, the fact that the band were labeled ‘new wave’ and lumped in with the likes of The Jam and Elvis Costello angered punks who felt that love songs like this had nothing to do with said genre. But Ric Ocasek’s voice as he croons “who’s gonna drive you home tonight” had ladies (and some men) across the globe screaming “ME, ME.” Me?
Jimi Hendrix – “Crosstown Traffic”
You have to admire the metaphor here. Jimi’s lady is apparently hard to get through to, which is just like driving across town. See what he did there? But why stop there? How about “you’re just like Morrissey, so hard to make you happy” or “you’re just like Sunday afternoon football, so hard not to yell at you.”
Ray Charles – “Hit the Road Jack”
A tribute to Jack Kerouac’s novel “On the Road” -- this song was penned by Percy Mayfield, and was a hit for Ray Charles in 1961, sitting at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks. The piano man is apparently being kicked out by a woman that treats him mean (the famous chorus being her words), although anybody that has seen the biopic “Ray” will attest to the fact that he could get pretty mean himself.
Nat King Cole – “Route 66”
One of the crooner’s most loved song, “Route 66” made that road famous and, in his words, somewhere to get your kicks. The song is very informative, too; as Nat tells us, “It winds from Chicago to LA, more than two thousand miles all the way.” Who needs Google Maps when you have Nat King Cole?
The Eagles – “Life in the Fast Lane”
Infamous dad-rockers The Eagles tell us that “He was brutally handsome, and she was terminally pretty” before going on to explain that “They had one thing in common, they were good in bed." That, apparently, is living life in the fast lane. Well, if you’re only going to have one thing in common with your loved one, it might as well be that.
The Beatles – “Baby You Can Drive My Car”
The Fab Four decided that the best way to show a girl how much they think of her is to let her drive. Not a marriage proposal, not a romantic, candlelit meal for two, but the pleasure of driving. This might explain why John Lennon ended up with Yoko Ono.
John Denver – “Country Roads, Take Me Home”
This song was a global hit for Denver, and helped make him a household name with sell-out tours right up until his untimely death in 1997 when his EZ Lite aircraft crashed. A classic driving song, “Country Roads, Take Me Home” describes Denver’s emotions when heading back to his beloved West Virginia. If only he’d stuck to the roads and left the skies alone.
Not happy with our revved up driving songs list? Use the new MMX comments feature and declare your own favorite driving songs.
