Road trippin'

A good friend of mine asked if I could make him a playlist to make his drive through "middle America" a little more eventful. Nothing like driving through cornfields bored out of your mind to put you in a stink!

It's a holiday weekend and many of you will be traveling to nearby cities and states, visiting family and friends, maybe even escaping family and friends, or just taking part in spontaneous adventures. Either way, you need a quality soundtrack to accompany you on this journey. So here is my attempt at creating the ultimate road trip playlist. Also, I created this sequence for a reason; these songs just flow into the next, one after the other. Trust the sequence.

When choosing which songs to put on a road trip compilation, one must remember: No matter what, the song must be stimulating. It can be slow, it can be fast, it can be purely instrumental, it can be rap, it can be classical, it can be electronic, it can be metal, but whatever it is, it must stimulate your senses. The point is to stay awake. Alive. Enjoy the ride!


If you're looking for something that'll guarantee no boredom, this song will certainly do the trick. However, I know The Prodigy is an acquired taste; it's not for everybody. But if you can get down with this aggressive, electronic madness, please go for it. Make it your first track, and go crazy!!
The Prodigy - Wind It Up


I honestly think this may be the ultimate road trip song. Who doesn't know it or like it? I pity the fool! This is best in the beginning of the mix, I think, when riders are still alert, excited, anxious. Great mood setter.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along The Watchtower


The first lyric says it all: "I'm taking a ride with my best friend." And such a cruising song.
Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again


Simply because any song that mentions any form of the word "dance" needs to be bumped in the car. As a friend once explained to me, "if you're dancing, you must be a having a good time."
Electric Six - Dance Epidemic


Dave Matthews Band is an excellent choice when road tripping. You will always need a song with a good message. A song that affects you with profound lyrics. A lesson. And this is off their newest album, which I must say is probably their best in a decade.
Dave Matthews Band - Dive In


Anything with a good bass hook is excellent for cruisin'. And add Erlend Oye's vocals to the mix, you can't go wrong. Everyone in the car will be groovin'. Easy! The lyrics and the soft, subtle tenderness in his voice are reminiscent of Morrissey. It's soothing.
The Whitest Boy Alive - Golden Cage


This is something funky that EVERYBODY'S gonna know. Something that even if you don't listen to electro house, you know about this song. You can recognize this beat anywhere, but thankfully, the song never really got played out. What a jam...
Daft Punk - Da Funk


If you're from Chicago, you gotta throw a lil' something from your city, something you can blast as you've reached your destination. Make your presence known. I suggest you represent with some Common. Bust out something you know these folks have never heard before. Something classic. Something that'll make them stop you and say, "Hey! What is that?"
Common - New Wave


Just the song title catches my eye. Think about it, walking on a dream. And the repetitive lyric: "Thrill of it." The word thrill carries so much meaning. It's intense, and this track is absolutely about an intense, yet pure, love. It's about meeting your dreams.
Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream


Any song that mentions the sun (or other objects/elements in the solar system) is awesome for road trips. Whenever the sun is referred to in art, it usually represents a destination. A happy place. It reminds me that I have something to look forward to: "Sun sun sun, here it comes."
The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun


I don't think I've ever made a road trip CD (and believe me, I've made many) without a Coldplay song, and almost every time it's this song. I can't really explain why. That chorus is just intoxicating. I feel passion in the music. And it's so damn catchy.
Coldplay - God Put A Smile Upon Your Face


Wow. This song is a journey in itself. It tells a story with no words. It's probably the string elements that get me. So beautiful. This is something you can easily get lost in, while driving down a winding road. Slowly, taking it easy.
Hybrid - Finished Symphony


Now I here's something to just lose yourself. Totally silly, animated and fun. It shouldn't make much sense preferably.
Dirt Nasty - 1980


There's always a moment when you want to be an aggressive driver. Lanes are open, but still people are driving slow around you. These are perfect conditions for driving like a maniac. Weaving in and out of quasi-traffic. Open all your windows, and bellow out the lyrics with The Killers. And even if you don't know the words, who cares? Pretend you do, and say whatever you want!
The Killers - Move Away


How can I make a road trip mix without something gangsta? Something nasty, rough, derogatory, offensive, etc. Something to remind you of your rebellious and/or experimental days growing up.
Eazy-E - Real Muthaphuckkin G's


Modest Mouse is a great band to jam to in the car at all times. But I can't put all their songs on here; I had to pick one. I figured this would be a nice selection. Part of the reason road trips win over other modes of transportation is you can enjoy the best views. Sure, in the air, you get that cool aerial view, but you're limited because you don't control the travel. In a car, you can control your direction. You can stop when you please, step out the car, and enjoy the stars.
Modest Mouse - The View


Here's an addictive lil' 80s jam that debuted the year I was born, so it immediately holds a special place in my heart. But if there's any song that I feel embodies absolute happiness and being in love with a moment, this is it. I may not be able to fully understand the song yet, but one day I will. However, in the meantime, I can listen to it, appreciate it and have faith I will find my "place."
Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)


Like I already stated, dancing is a key element in a feel-good song. If you're wanna dance in your seat, and you're feeling a bit frisky, this may be a song you need on your road trip mix. The lack of space won't be a problem; this type of dance doesn't require outward movements. Whoa...did this just become a sexy-time mix? Eh well...you see where my heads at today... FYI, I couldn't find an mp3 version, so you're going to have to preview it here on IMEEM, and maybe buy it on iTunes, sorry. Or I can email you the .wma file. Holler.
Brazilian Girls - Dance Till The Morning Sun