Road Trip Mania, Top 5 Road Trip Songs

Written by: Joe McCann

With the last few weeks of summer dwindling away, and the kids going back to school. Family’s and friends across the country are trying to squeeze out the last remaining bits of summer fun. Whether that fun is a weekend away with the boys, or a nice long family vacation far from home. Millions of people this time of year hit the road with their phones fully charged and ready to rock. A road trip means different things to different people, some people opt to quietly listen to the latest New York best seller on audio book, and others like to roll the windows down, crank the volume to 11, and belt out their favorite vocals. Earlier this summer, as a close friend and I were heading out to Baltimore for a wedding, we opted for the later of the two. From Garth Brooks to Diana Ross, there were very few types of music we didn’t touch on our little trip. With that said here is my non-scientific list of my top 10 favorite road trip songs.

1. Bachman-Turner Overdrive “taking care of business” This single was released in 1974 on the album Bachman-Turner Overdrive II. Although B.T.O was a Canadian Band, it’s been no secret that our neighbors to the north know how to rock, and they certainly proved it with this single. From start to finish the song is a musical masterpiece made specifically to blow out your speakers and laugh at all those suckers you left at work.
   
2. John Denver “ Take me Home, Country Roads” Written by John Denver, Bill Danoff, and Taffy Nivert. Every good road trip needs a song where even the most tone deaf of passengers can feel like a true music legend. What better song is there to sing along with than “ Take me Home Country Road.” this 3 minute and 8 second work of perfection solidified John Denver as one of America’s greatest folk singers. Released in 1971 it was certified gold by August of that year and finally went platinum on April 10, 2017. 
3. Motley Crue “Kickstart my Heart” Warning!!! Listen to this song at your own risk. Excess speed and erratic driving have been attributed to repetitive playing of this track. Just picture it, your co-pilot on the dash board drums, and you behind the steering wheel, wind in hair and air guitar in hand, Screaming at the top of your lungs and pulling those imaginary strings into the stratosphere. From the album Dr. Feelgood this 4:48 rock anthem is sure to get your blood pumping and the wheels spinning. 
4. AC/DC “Highway to Hell” The theme song for every road trip to a bachelor party. The few times when grown men in their 30’s can act like rock stars only to find out their well past their prime. Like Bon Scott said, “If you think it’s easy doing one night stands, try playing in a rock and roll band. It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. 
5. Wilson Pickett “Mustang Sally” A truly ageless song, a track that has and will continue to be a song that crosses generations. Despite its age every person with a set of vocal cords knows the hook of Mustang Sally.