Ultimate Summer Driving Playlist

It’s summer, and we’ve been driving about a bit. Here’s what we (I) like to listen to, given the chance…

Don Henley – Boys of Summer

The summer I passed my driving test I’d been made a mix tape with this song on. I was sharing a car with my mum at the time, who used it for work – so I could only have it 7-11pm or by negotiation at weekends. I remember lots of summer evening drives with the windows down (the only form of air conditioning in a clapped out old fiesta) belting this out as I drove with friends, just because I could!

Michael Jackson – Bad

We always listened to this when we were out driving with our dad – it was his driving song, and now it’s on my playlist too. My sister and I had a strange little dance we did to it in synchrony whilst we were sitting in the back seat.

Helicopter – The Feeling

This just has a great beat for driving. I listened to it a lot whilst I was heavily pregnant with Bubby D and it always brings back lovely memories.

Supermassive Black Hole – Muse

To be honest, I’m always hard pressed to pick just one song by Muse as I love just about all of them (but just a Muse playlist would be a bit of a cop out I guess) so I’ve gone for this one because it is the one I always use on the treadmill at the gym to keep me spurred on.

All The Small Things – Blink 182

I once drove 100 miles with this CD single as the only music option in my car, playing on a portable cd player blu-tacked to the dashboard because my radio (pretty much like everything in my clapped out old Fiesta) was a little bit screwed and would only pick up French channels. (And I was driving in the Midlands, so nowhere NEAR France).
Clearly I experienced some kind of CD Stockholm Syndrome because I actually find myself listening to it a lot now in the car.

The Music of the Night – Phantom of the Opera

I like this one for traffic jams, because I can howl along really loudly to it. Not sure my fellow road users are so keen, when I have the windows down…but sometimes they do join in!

Skidermerinkydinkydink – Mainly Music

The lyrics are kind of nonsense. I like that.

Placebo – Nancy Boy

I like the nasal drawl, as long as I don’t have to listen to it for too long. The rhythm of this one is good for driving.

Queen – I’m Going Slightly Mad

Because I often feel like I am, when I’m doing one of the regular, monotonous routes that we travel every week. This song cheers me up.

Human League – Don’t You Want Me Baby

This song always reminds me of filling up with petrol. I don’t know why.

Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire

This was on pretty much constantly when we were driving around Fraser Island in Australia. It’s like being transported back there, except with less dingoes around…

Interpol – NYC

This is for late night, melancholy driving on a warm summer evening. Sometimes I don’t want anything particularly upbeat to listen to when I’m winding down on the way home, just something enough to keep me awake.

Crisis – Open To Misinterpretation

This is one that was written by the guitarist in the band I used to be lead singer for. I don’t have a CD copy (I do have it on VHS tape!) but I like to sing it sometimes when the mood hits me, especially if I am tired and then singing rather than listening works best for staying awake and alert.

Der Fliegende Hollander – Wagner

It’s meant to induce psychosis. I can’t say it’s had that effect on me, that I’m aware of. By I do enjoy listening to it.

Rolling Stones – Paint It Black

Because sometimes, I like to see if I CAN see a line of cars, all painted black. Car spotting is a bit of a favourite game at the moment with the Wee Man.

Jace Everett – Bad Things

I don’t know why but this song just gets to be and makes me feel…shivery but awesome.

Eels – Flyswatter

And this song is a bit shivery and weird. But still good.

Rammstein – Sonne

I like to take my frustrations against other drivers who may have been a bit annoying out on this song. I also like the fact that it sounds like a really nasty old song but actually translated the lyrics are quite friendly!

Belle and Sebastian – if You’re Feeling Sinister

I just like Belle and Sebastian. So I had to get one of their songs in there somewhere!

Lemon Jelly – Nice Weather for Ducks

Great for ending off an afternoon summer drive in the rain – all the ducks are swimming in the water, lalalalalalaaaaaaaaaaa…

Not only does listening to / singing to music help keep everyone entertained on long holiday drives, but its also great for drowning out kids whining staying swake and alert if you’re feeling tired.

And music makes me happy, even when it rains…

(Did I mention Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains…?)

What would you add to the list?