Driving Down the Highway: Songs About Cars
September 18th 2007 02:32
The car holds a special place within the realm of American culture. For young and old, regardless of race or creed, the automobile is a symbol of wealth and power and mobility. If you own a car, you can go anywhere. Or at least that's the mythology that's been built up around the car.
Needless to say, given the car's place in society, it's no wonder that the relationship between the automobile and music is one of the longest running "marriages" in pop culture history. The car has held a special place in the hearts and minds of songwriters, who have managed to capture the allure and thrill of owning a car and driving it for pleasure (or recklessness, as the case often may be) for decades.
Here is my Top Ten Favorite Songs about Cars
Janis Joplin: Mercedes Benz
My Hooptie: Sir Mix a Lot
Tracy Chapman: Fast Car
Cake: Stickshifts And Safetybelts
Queen: I'm In Love With My Car
Prince: Little Red Corvette
John Lee Hooker: Mustang Sally & GTO
The Dead Milkmen: Bitchin' Camaro
War: Low Rider
Gary Numan: Cars
Needless to say, given the car's place in society, it's no wonder that the relationship between the automobile and music is one of the longest running "marriages" in pop culture history. The car has held a special place in the hearts and minds of songwriters, who have managed to capture the allure and thrill of owning a car and driving it for pleasure (or recklessness, as the case often may be) for decades.
Here is my Top Ten Favorite Songs about Cars
Janis Joplin: Mercedes Benz
My Hooptie: Sir Mix a Lot
Tracy Chapman: Fast Car
Cake: Stickshifts And Safetybelts
Queen: I'm In Love With My Car
Prince: Little Red Corvette
John Lee Hooker: Mustang Sally & GTO
The Dead Milkmen: Bitchin' Camaro
War: Low Rider
Gary Numan: Cars
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Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Here goes.
Little Deuce Coupe by The Beach Boys (insert here a squillion other surf era songs ie: Little Honda, LIttle Old Lady from Pasadena, Dead Man's Curve by Jan and Dean, Fun Fun Fun, I Get Around etc etc etc).
Then there's Pink Cadallac, Drive My Car by the Beatles, Hop in My Car by the Ted Mulray Gang, Get Out of My Dreams and Into My Car by Billy Ocean, Little Red Corvette by Prince, Autobahn by Kraftwork, Midnight Cruiser - Steely Dan, Life is a Highway - Tom Cochrane or how about a real oldie like King of The Road by Roger Miller or even Paradise by the Dashboard Light and Meatloaf.
Best put the brake lights on - and allow everyone else to throw in their selections.
Always a pleasure Mis.
MNG
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Surf era songs really do the car proud! Life is a Highway. and King of the Road are two of my favorite songs! Yippee It is always fun when you stop by.
Thanks for playing!
Mis
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Drive My Car by the Beatles?
Oh, Mis. I hate Life is a Highway, mostly because it's by lame Canadian rocker Tom Cochrane. The shame...
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
I loved going out with my boyfriend and his car, thinking of the one who became my husband, and now I come to think of it, some others as well, it was the first thing any young man wanted to have, some just very old jalopies, but we were happy to go out in them.
I'm not sure about nowadays tho, males seem less gallant than they used to be.
Although I must admit I like going for a run with a male friend of mine and he does have an expensive car, but not much imagination as far as travelling, I'm afraid.
And despite age difference we do like the same kind of music and both enjoy going for a drive and listening to it.
Hmmmm, I'm not so badly off as I thought I was.
katyzzz...thanks for bringing back some of those memories.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
A nice selection you've picked there Mis. I'm trying to think if there are any other's.
The only one that comes to mind is Rhianna's new song Shut up and Drive. I don't love it, but it's about cars.
Hmm...I shall go off and rack my brain for others!
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Radar love and Drive My Car are great old school choices!
Oh, Mis. I hate Life is a Highway, mostly because it's by lame Canadian rocker Tom Cochrane. The shame...
hahahaha.... I am glad that we can still be friends!
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I am so glad that you came over to play. Your story about your boyfriend was great...
Girlfriend you go...with your running mate.... [wink]
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I love the fact that you have a personal soundtrack--
I am working on a post about these. "Paradise bY the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf classic! Golden Earring did "Radar Love" So glad to see you!
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Thank you so much for your kind words.....
The only one that comes to mind is Rhianna's new song Shut up and Drive. I don't love it, but it's about cars.
Amen to that sister!
Come back if you think of anything else!
Mis
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Like Cold Chisel's 'Flame Trees', or Pearl Jam's 'Given To Fly', or 'Go' or 'Animal' (in fact just about anything by Pearl Jam or Live is perfect for driving to!).
In the more obvious stakes, my all-time favourite song about driving is probably 'Drive' by little-known Kiwi songstress Bic Runga - beautiful voice, and a captivating song:
'...let rain fall from concrete-coloured sky...' - wow.
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I actually have one of her CD's. Thanks so much for sharing this tune with me. I was unfamiliar with it and I really enjoy stretching my musical muscles!
Mis