19 thoughts on “Well-Tuned: Just One More Song for the Road Please

  1. I must confess I know a fair chunk of the groups by name, but none of the songs.

    The song I’ll always associate with the road is Rhapsody in Blue. Not what first comes to mind, eh?

    I was living in Chamberlain, SD in the late ’80s, and my then girlfriend was living in Chicago. We met in Wisconsin for a cycling weekend, and driving back I decided to take U.S. 14 instead of the interstate. I was in no hurry, and the 2 lane roads are much more interesting. It was near sunset, and I had the classical station on the radio, and Rhapsody in Blue came on. The sunset was breathtaking, so I pulled over to the shoulder, turned the radio up, and sat on the hood to watch the sun sink below the hills. I’ll never forget those few minutes.Report

    1. I know exactly what you mean. I remember Pink Floyd’s Echos playing on a solo night trip back from the beach in the rain many years ago…my wipers were in tune with the bass line during the guitar solo towards the end. The occasional lightning flash made that an unforgettable ride too..Report

  2. I know the exact spot on northbound I-77 at Laurel Creek/North Gap to start Country Roads so that the traditionally shouted second “West Virginia” after the bridge hits right as you cross the state line.Report

  3. Anything can be a road song, but for road trips, you’ve got to go with albums.

    Nothing can capture a mood like a good album. Capture it and hold it for 40 minutes – because if you’re on a road trip, you’re trying to burn off time. Play lists come from the person who made them. If you mixed them, they’re a bit self-indulgent. If you didn’t, they might not make sense to you. An album puts you in the mind of the artist. It’s someone else with you on a trip. You want 5-6 of them, and they don’t have to have a consistency between them, although it’s nice if it works out that way. Not the same artist’s work though.

    Best Of albums don’t work on a road trip; they’re essentially mix tapes. But live albums are great. You don’t notice the problems in sound quality, and you’re with an artist at a single show / tour, similar to being with him in the recording sessions of an album. A good artist modifies his songs over time, based on his fellow musicians or just the need to keep things fresh. Live albums are just as immersive as studio albums for road trips.

    What are the best road trip albums (I mean obviously other than Frampton Comes Alive)? They could be anything. Jittery doesn’t work. Sorry, Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy. I love classical, but it requires an attentiveness and often sound quality that doesn’t fit a road trip. The wrong jazz choice can be disastrous; you probably don’t want anything recorded since 1960. Above all, it should all be music you’re familiar with, but don’t listen to every day.Report

    1. Depending on the length of the trip dictates whether you include whole albums in my opinion. I’ve done a mix…a few albums-some playlists. Choosing the right albums can be just as tough as choosing the right playlist.Report

      1. I saw Golden Earring open for Rush around the Moving Pictures tour.

        Highway Star? See, I’m thinking of music for a road trip. Highway Star is great music for getaway car driving.Report

  4. Thanks Kristin, I was stepping outside of my comfort zone a bit with that list. I hope you find a few new ones to enjoy from it.Report

  5. Keep Your Hands to Yourself, Georgia Satellites
    Who Do You Love?, covered by George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers
    Hair of the Dog, Nazareth
    Gimme Three Steps, Skynyrd
    Jealous Again, Black Crowes
    Black Betty, coveted by Ram Jam
    Immigrant Song, Led Zeppelin
    LA Grange, ZZ Top
    Thunderstruck, AC/DC

    You can have the next playlist now, I’m exhausted.Report

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