Whatever, I know mixtapes are now mix CDs, but dammit, mixtape just sounds better. It’s classic. Regardless, this old stand-by was, is and forever will be a road trip necessity.
Maybe it’s just my friends (I’m certain it’s not), but when anyone I know is planning a long car ride, particularly with other pals, concocting the perfect soundtrack for the journey is a much-loved and sacred practice. It is because of the damn-near-holy nature of this tradition that I hesitate to even take a stab at listing a definitive road trip track listing…so we’ll just call this volume one. Basically, if I were to take to the road with my buds right now, here’s what we would be listening to:
1.Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective
Happy, thumping, energizing…if ever the moment gets dull in the car, just turn this song on and suddenly all of you will be bursting with excitement about life. This is a reminder that everything is amazing.
2.The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness by Alabama 3
First and foremost, if you don’t know about the radiant, techno-country-British-hip-hop that is Alabama 3, you need to get on it. I only started listening to them about a year ago and I could cry a million tears that I lived a whole life before that without them. They’re hilarious, beautiful and will illicit endless “hell yes” moments between you and your mates.
3.In The Meantime by Spacehog
Call me a stupid hipster, but I’m all about the 90s music. And when you’re on a road trip, there’s nothing like having an unnecessary group freak-out over a song that you knew way back in the day. Yeah, nostalgia! I don’t know why we all get off on that so much, but hey, I’m not one to question things that make us feel collective goodness. I like picking this song because it’s not the most obvious 90s choice, but you’ll all know it. And it kinda rocks.
4.I Am John by Loney, Dear
I used to wake up to this song on Sunday mornings because my coffee-drinking, chain-smoking, painter roommate was blasting it. And for a song that is pretty much all falsetto-man-voice, it’s one of the best things. Don’t question it, just enjoy it.
5.These Are The Ghosts by The Bees
Like numbers 1 and 4, this jam has the kind of rollicking intensity that I like when driving. Maybe it’s because when you’re taking to the open road, you’ve got friend, a few thousand pounds of fast-moving metal under your ass and theoretically the whole world in front of you…how can you not be out on the hunt for transcendence? That’s why we go on road trips, right? So songs on the mix have to keep up. That’s all I’m sayin’.
6.Dry The Rain by The Beta Band
Remember that scene from High Fidelity? John Cusack’s surly record store owner character plays this song just to prove that people will react positively to it every single time. And they do. I love, love, love this scene because I already knew that song and, of course, have the same reaction. Chances are, all your friends will know all the words and when this comes on in the middle of the mix, you’re almost guaranteed a moment of group healing of whatever is stressing your adventurous little hearts.
7.Jumpin’ Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones
While we’re recalling movies and all, let’s put this one on here, from when the Hunter S. Thompson character is speeding away into the desert at the end of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I swear I didn’t steal all of these from movies. But everyone needs to listen to this song while driving because there are few feelings cooler than that oh-man-I-just-survived-some-shit-because-I’m-that-awesome feeling. This song just kinda rocks.
8.Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks
Why not? The Kinks are awesome. This song is pure audible loveliness.
9.Chinese Translation by M. Ward
Oh, M. Ward. I hate that he’s married. But I adore every bit of music to come out of this man. This song was one of the first that really hooked me and remains a favorite amongst my group of friends. Super catchy-great traveling sounds, but also bittersweet and optimistic and just usually perfect for embodying your feelings about whatever it is you’re driving away from or towards.
10.War On Sound by Moonbabies
Moonbabies is such a great band name. I always get jealous of amazing band names, even though I have no intentions of starting a band anytime soon. The point is, this is such a sweet little song. I think it’s healthy to listen to lots of songs that actually tell you “hey, it’ll be alright”.
