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The sounds of travel: What to listen to when road trippin' in the USA
Here at Gadling we'll be highlighting some of our favorite sounds from the road and giving you a sample of each -- maybe you'll find the same inspiration that we did, but at the very least, hopefully you'll think that they're good songs. Got a favorite of your own? Leave it in the comments below and we'll post it at the end of the series."Do you like American music?
I like American music.
Don't you like American music?
Baby-yyyyyy..."
--The Violent Femmes, American Music
For those who are gearing up to travel the vast roadways of America by car, we have here a list of appropriate music to make you feel relaxed, at peace with the road, and good'n American. Though you may be traveling for the holidays, we'll exclude holiday music. You'll hear it at every gas station.
The obvious first choice for pulling out of the driveway is America by Simon and Garfunkel:
Even the street on which you live looks a little more ripe with possibility when that song plays.
Once you head out into the amber waves of grain and the fruited plains, it's a great time for expansive music like that from accidentally Canadian Joni Mitchell. I recommend Urge for Going, Heijira, and You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio. And those are just a couple of her travel-themed hits.
Going through the purple mountains' majesty? Forests? (Yeah, "America the Beautiful" totally skipped the forests.) Try the soundtrack to Field of Dreams, composed by James Horner. It will fill you with wonder. Here, watch somebody on YouTube play The Drive Home. Want lyrics?
Next, get out some Bob Dylan and play Tangled Up in Blue. Make sure you dig through your classic rock collection. Especially as you pass through strange towns and cities, The Eagles, Guns and Roses, Jimi Hendrix, and Journey all take on a strange, retro-poignance.
Lastly, though it's downright un-American, The Beatles are great for road trips. Everyone sings along, and if you're really up in arms about the Britishness, you can get the soundtrack to Across the Universe with all the new covers.
Drive safe!
Click here for previous Sounds of Travel.
Filed under: North America, United States, One for the Road, No Wrong Turns
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ed lester Nov 18th 2008 5:24PM
The entire Creedence Clearwater Revival Collection - Preferably whilst traveling in the back of a beaten up old van for about 3 weeks.
http://travelbookmarking.com
Amyo Nov 20th 2008 6:54AM
Can't go past Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco and more specifically Kamera.
Also:
Beulah - The Coast is Never Clear
Beulah - When your heartstrings break
The Thrills - So Much For the City
Matt Sharp - Matt Sharp
http://amyo.id.au/