Driving Music

By Laura Robida

Music fuels my drive to work, to the store, to concerts, anywhere. If only! With gas prices so high, I only wish my car ran solely on the power of music. But whether it's just figuratively speaking or literal, I can't get in my car without having some type of music playing. Over the years I've discovered that some songs are just more suited for driving than others. I present my top 25 driving songs. These are the songs I like, you don't have to like them. In fact, I'd almost prefer that you didn't like some of these songs, and then they can remain uniquely mine. But I suppose everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you have songs that you like to drive to email us you list. We'd love to check out your lists.

25. Bad Seamstress Blues / Fallin' Apart at the Seams – Cinderella

The intro this song has a lot of memories attached to it and the bluesy, country laid back twang really gets me everytime. But once the song starts to roar in, you can't deny that it's a great rock tune by one of my  favorite bands.

24. Hysteria  – The Dollyrots

It might just be that The Dollyrots have a lot of songs that I  like to sing along with but this isn't the trio's only appearance on this list. "Hysteria," off their newest release "Because I'm Awesome" is great fun and perfect for blasting at full volume while cruising down the highway.

23. Hot Night Crash – Sahara Hotnights

The main riff of "Hot Night Crash" gets me going here. It's a great way to start a car trip and it's a great way to end a trip. We love everything about Sahara Hotnights and "Hot Night Crash" really is the cherry on their album "Kiss & Tell."

22. Jackie Chan – The Dollyrots

To a casual listener, the intro to this song might make you think of the Vapors' hit "Turning Japanese" but only a few seconds are all you need to know that Kelly Ogden can whoop your ass cuz she fights like Jackie Chan. This is a great sing-along in the car song and it has helped get me through many long car rides.

21. Smoke You Out – The Donnas

My favorite band has many appearances on this list and this track from their Sept. 2007 release "Bitchin'" is just a sample of what's to come. The guitars are groovy and the rhythm track has this ability to transport you anywhere you want to go. Just be careful when you try to clap along with the breakdown while you're driving along. Its tricky to clap and steer.

20. Hero Takes A Fall – The Bangles

There really is no good reason why I like to listen to "Hero Takes A Fall" when I'm driving. It's not particularly groovy and rockin' or anything else that makes a car song great but I'll admit it: I love the Bangles. That's good enough reason for me.

19. You've Got Another Thing Comin' – Judas Priest

If' I have to drive my car somewhere, you'd better believe that the radio is on and it's turned up nearly full-tilt. This is a great song to listen to as loudly as possible. It's even better if you're going to shout along in the car.

18. Stuck in My Car – The Go-Gos

I was starting to think that it was all a coincidence that whenever I was running late "Stuck in My Car" would play but now I know that it's just the gods baiting me. I love listening to this song when I'm, well, stuck in my car in a traffic jam or just driving at lightning speeds trying to get to my destination on time. And it's the Go-Gos. They rock.

17. Music Inside – She Eats Planets

Call it a big ego. Call it self-indulgence. I just call it a good song. It sounds great in my car and I love hearing it. I've been waiting for "Music Inside" to get old but so far, the honeymoon goes on.

16. Hot Kiss – Juliette & the Licks

You can almost always expect to hear something from Juliette & the Licks in my car. I really dig the band and "Hot Kiss" is probably one of my favorites. It's not particularly driving or upbeat but it's still a great song and I love hearing it when I'm making a long drive.

15. Ghoulies Are Go! – The Groovie Ghoulies

The Groovie Ghoulies. I love them. Not sure why, but they are definitely groovy. "Ghoulies Are Go!" is a great one to sing with in the car. It's nice and short but I love songs that make me spell the lyrics "G.R.O.O.V.I.E. G.H.O.U.L.I.E. won't you come along with me. You're a Groovie Ghoulie, yeah."

14. Crazy Bitch – L.A. Guns

It seems that every hair metal band from the 80s has gone industrial rock and L.A. Guns is no exception. For the most part, I'm not that big of a fan of anything new the band is doing but "Crazy Bitch" is great. And I love to scream the chorus when driving by cars full of small children."

13. Even it Up – Heart

"Even It Up" has heart. It's got groove, it's catchy and it kind of makes you want to get out of the car and dance. Instead, I find myself dancing in my seat (to those driving past me it must look like I have to find a bathroom and fast) but nevertheless "Even it Up" is contagious and a great addition to my driving playlist. It never gets old and it's almost all I want to hear.

12. Roll on Down the Highway – The Donnas

It's only appropriate that "Roll on Down the Highway" would be on my list of driving songs. The Donnas did an amazing job covering this tune by Bachman Turner Overdrive and have created a song that's just perfect to start any trip. In fact, every time I climb in my car to catch the girls live I start off with "Roll on Down the Highway." It's something of an anthem and you can't beat Allison Robertson's guitar playing. Her solo on this is incredible.

11. Crazy – Bang Bang Bang

Jaren Johnston and the rest of the guys in what was once Bang Bang Bang (now American Bang) are crazy and this song is crazy good. Case closed.

10. Immigrant Song – Led Zeppelin

Everyone needs to get the Led out and what better way that when you've got pedal to the metal and you're tearing up the highway. "Immigrant Song" is one of my favorites from Zeppelin and there's just something about the opening vocals to this song that says "climb on board and let's go."

9. Kick it Down – Girlschool

Everything by Girlschool really makes me want to go drive. They remind me of motor oil and fast cars. Maybe the grinding rhythm guitars have something to do with this. Or maybe it's that the intro to "Kick it Down" reminds me of a car engine revving. Whatever the case, this is another great one for the car.

8. Move to the Music – American Bang

"Move to the Music" reminds me of the longest car trip I've ever made – Connecticut to Birmingham, Alabama on a wild eight show adventure to see The Donnas with openers American Bang. Who would have thought I would love Bang so much? I've claimed this as my concert road-trip anthem and no one is going to take it from me: "Next city, next state, different room same place. She's front and center dancing with her drink on. She says, don't you love them, aren't they great? Take your coat off and dance with me!"

7. Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf

If you thought I'd leave this song off my list you've got to be crazy. "Born to be Wild" is a quintessential car song. Do I really need to say more?

6. Fly Feather Fly – Donita Sparks and the Stellar Moments

There really is no special driving connection here except that it's great to try to do Donita's signature "transmiticate" eye poking while driving.

5. Fall Behind Me – The Donnas

If you're driving down the highway and you see a blast of yellow blur by you, you may have just been passed by me. Whenever I blow by someone on the highway I always think of "Fall Behind Me." It's a rockin' tune by one of the most rockin' bands I know and it always gets the pulse racing when it comes on when I'm driving. I swear, officer, the music made me drive faster.

4. Steve McQueen – Sheryl Crow

Maybe it's the line "Like Steve McQueen all I need's a fast machine…" that makes this a car song for me or maybe it's just that it's a good solid song from Sheryl Crow. I don't really need a good reason, this is my list and I like this song. I really like this song when I'm driving around with the windows down.

3. Christine Sixteen – Kiss

Warning: Listening to "Christine Sixteen" may make you want to rock out while you're driving. It's bouncy, it's rockin', and it's Kiss. It keeps me going on long trips and makes the short, boring trip to the office every day that much more enjoyable.

2. Panama – Van Halen

I like Van Halen. A lot. Not only does this song have everything necessary to make a great rock song but whenever a song has a place in the title it's a great song for listening to en route to your destination.

1. Drive My Car – The Beatles / The Donnas (both versions are particularly yummy)

I have two versions of "Drive My Car" on my iPod. One version is the original version as made famous by The Beatles (READ: the greatest rock and roll band in the universe.) The other version is a particularly delicious, well-done, tasty cut by The Donnas. The versions are very similar to each other as the ladies from Palo Alto did a remarkable job of preserving a classic and yet making it their own all in one powerful punch. These songs are required for any trip no matter how short. The Beatles. The Donnas. Two great bands, one great song.