Road Trip!

It's officially summer (finally) and if you're anything like me, you suddenly have the uncontrollable urge to hit the open road. But you are faced with a huge dilemma. And it's not the painfully absurd price of gasoline.



Probably the most important factor in setting the mood for a good ol' fashioned road trip is the soundtrack. Whether you are with a gaggle of girlfriends, a couple of your homeboys or flying solo, the music you select really can make or break the trip. You have to set the right mood, whether its a freeing post-apocalyptic breakup journey, a short jaunt to the beach, or a cross country voyage. Good thing you have me to help you, otherwise you'd be screwed!

You need to set the stage for your mental movie montage. Close your eyes (now...not while you're driving, please). Imagine the sun beating down through the windshield, a chilled non-alcoholic beverage in the cup holder.  The windows, sunroof or ragtop down and the wind whipping your hair. What do you hear playing in your head right now?

The following are a list of 20 of my favorite driving tunes. I tried to stay away from cliches unfortunately I couldn't help myself on a few of them. Good news is there is a little something for everyone. And remember, I drove cross country alone from Minnesota to New York and back, TWICE...so I know a thing or two about good driving jams!

I present to you:

Rose And The City's 1st Annual Summer Road Trip Playlist

(In no particular order)

1. Golden Earring- Radar Love

A little cliche, but it's good so I made an exception

2. ZZ Top- La Grange

A song about a whorehouse in Texas...excellent guitar riffs though...

3. Dropkick Murphys- Shipping Up To Boston

Made famous by The Departed...for when you need to LOSE THE FUCKING TAIL!

4. Metallica- Enter Sandman

Because you never know when you might be chased by a Peterbilt.

5. The Ventures- S.W.A.T. Theme Song

Who doesn't want to pretend they are a badass 70's disco cop? 

6. Meatloaf- Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Nothing says driving music like Meatloaf

7. The Ataris- Boys Of Summer

I would also accept Don Henley's version as a correct answer. 

8. Poison- Fallen Angel

The theme song for girls moving out, and up. Dream big ladies.

9. Cake- I Will Survive

Better breakup road trip music. Take THAT Gloria Gaynor.

10. Jesse McCartney- Leavin'

Noticing a theme here? 

11. Ludacris and Jesse McCartney- How Do You Sleep? 

I want to ride two wild Mustangs like Ludacris.

12. Santana & Chad Kroeger- Into The Night

A little latin flair to "drive" you crazy. See what I did there? 

13. Apollo 440- Stop The Rock

So you can be Gone....In Sixty Seconds.

14. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Free Bird

Shouldn't it be Free Byrd?

15. Spiderbait- Black Betty

Bamalam!

16. Van Halen- Hot For Teacher

Back when it wasn't weird to fantasize about your teacher...

17. Kenny Loggins- Highway To The Danger Zone

Oh Kenny Loggins, is there anything you can't do? Talk to me Goose!

18. Toby Keith- Beer For My Horses

Don't ride your horse if it's drunk. 

19. Dixie Chicks- Goodbye Earl

A real friend will help you hide the body.

20. Janis Joplin- Me And Bobby McGee

Only thing worse than a flat is a busted flat in Baton Rouge. 

BONUS TRACK!

Blues Brothers- Can't Turn You Loose

In case you find yourself on a car chase through a mall.

If I were to steal your car right now, what would I find in your cd player (or Ipod...or tape deck)? What is your ultimate driving song or songs? What do you think of mine? Quite the variety of randomness no doubt!

Just don't dance while driving. It's dangerous. Just ask my friend Erica about some of our car dancing back in high school.  It's amazing someone didn't lose an eye. Or a mailbox.