With the fantastic surround-sound music systems available for hybrids today, it’s really easy for you to be environmentally aware in style. When you’ve got your iPod connection cable at the ready, it’s time to prepare a playlist that will make you delighted to be cruising down the motorway. Here are five songs that no driver should be without.
1. Bat Out Of Hell – Meatloaf
In a survey of over 16,000 drivers, Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell ranked as the favourite song for motorists to listen to while on the move. With uplifting guitar strums and heartfelt lyrics, it’s understandable how people have come to love the rock genre when trying to escape from the prospect of mundane traffic jams and spiralling insurance and petrol prices. Interestingly, when this song was released in the late 70s, the cost of petrol per litre was less than 20p, a far cry from the prices at the pumps today. Time to hark back to better days!
2. Highway To Hell – AC/DC
Next up is a song that’s mildly related to driving. However, it’s probably best that you don’t take the lyrics of this song too close to heart, with this infamous ensemble passionately singing about a world where stop signs and speed limits don’t exist. If you’re driving here in the UK, you couldn’t be further from the truth!
3. Every Day Is A Winding Road – Sheryl Crow
If rock isn’t your thing, considering something a little folksier might be better. Sheryl Crow’s hit has anecdotal lyrics and a very catchy chorus, and refraining from singing along can certainly be something of a challenge to even the most prudent of drivers. If you’re up for embarrassing your kids, winding down the windows of estate cars and belting out Sweet Child Of Mine at the top of your voice can be another excellent idea.
4. Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
Perhaps good driving songs should be related to the driving experience to make the list? If so, any journey won’t be complete without the presence of Fleetwood Mac. Their single, Go Your Own Way, was released in the same year as our Meatloaf entry. This tune unsurprisingly ranked at 119 in the list of Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 greatest songs of all time. Given the band formed in London, you’ll be able to have a spot of British pride as you hit the road with pure British talent oozing from your car.
5. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
Another song which has been given the nod in extensive lists of driving songs and compilation albums is Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. With lyrics that everybody knows and an upbeat melody this song will enrich your driving experience. Bohemian Rhapsody and Radio Ga Ga are other Queen songs which come highly recommended for your listening pleasure.
Other songs that might be apt for certain occasions
Some driving songs can achieve a certain level of resonance depending on what you’ve got going on. What could be better than Manic Monday by The Bangles as you begin a brand-new working week, or Echo Beach by Martha And The Muffins if you’re heading down to the seaside for ice cream and sunbathing?
You might not be getting on the midnight train and going anywhere, but Journey has gained prominence as a much-loved recording artist since their song was covered on hit US TV show Glee, yet another perfect song to complement tracks from Meatloaf and AC/DC, appealing to people who really like to rock out. Finally, if you’re still contemplating your battle to do some good by driving hybrid cars, why not listen to Kermit the frog explain why it isn’t easy being green?
Whatever you’re listening to in the car, think about this: what does your music taste say about you?