The right music mixtape can make your Blue Highways bright
Any self-respecting road tripper knows a great drive begins with a well thought out mixtape. It is a necessity when I travel.
I usually base it on mood and sometimes the area I’m going. Beach trip? Maybe some Bob Marley. Mountains? You must throw in Noah Kahan. Any trip, anywhere? Merle Haggard.
Maybe we don’t call them mixtapes today. Perhaps we haven’t in a long time. I think it’s now a playlist. But it doesn’t matter, because I feel like I can knock one out that is the envy of many. Well, maybe not. Still, here’s one comprised of my ten favorite on-the-road tunes.
I usually start with the Haggard tune. “My Favorite Memory” is my all-time favorite. It’s a good way to begin any adventure. It’s slow, simple – audio gravy.
Next up is some Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Sweet Home Alabama.” It is an all-time classic, especially if you were raised in the South. Bonus points for this one if you’re headed to Florida, Skynyrd’s home state.
When you get three hours into a trip and are a little tired, Pink always provides some energy. “Get the Party Started” is particularly great for that. Watch your speed though, as a ticket is a road trip buzz kill.
Keeping the backroad party going with Queen “We Will Rock You” and then move into “Radar Love.” Golden Earring for when it’s a half past four and I’m shifting gear. Again, check your speed!
Hayes Carll is an acquired taste, and I love his music. A good one for the road is “Another Like You” with Cary Ann Hearst. It’s fun and keeps the tempo up, getting you closer to your destination.
Then it is time to clear the palate and listen to a couple classic country tunes.
“Chiseled In Stone” by Vern Gosdin is the finest kind of country song tear-jerker.
You don’t know about sadness till you’ve faced life alone / You don’t know about lonely till it’s chiseled in stone
Johnny Cash is a country music legend, and you can never go wrong with “Walk the Line.” It’s always nice to have the Man in Black, coming out of your speakers on as dusk draws long shadows across the highway. Bruno Mars “24K Magic” gets me closer to my destination. I always love his stuff.
Then, as we lay down the final miles, we bring it home with the most appropriate of Beach Boys tunes – “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
I’ve lived my life believing music always makes things better. That is especially true of a road trip. Here’s hoping you have one planned soon.
I’ve been everywhere, man
I’ve been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I’ve a-had my share, man
I’ve been everywhere