As the temperature raises so does the fever everyone gets to escapee on the perfect mid summer get-away. With road trip season in full swing, I though what better time to put together a top 20 that will help you get through that 13 hour car ride with your little cousin screaming in the back seat. This list was carefully engineered to server as both an internal and external playlist for the whole family to enjoy. When crafting a generation bridging musical experience it is vital never to underestimate the musical taste of the person(s) commanding your road trip. They are the gatekeepers of headphone-free music throughout your journey.
1. Against Me – New Wave – “New Wave”
Off an album that most heralded as one of the best 2007 had to offer, this title track from these indie punk rockers sets the perfect stage for a marathon of tune-age on the open road. Tom Gabel’s gravely yet smooth vocal delivery gives this track the ideal balance for any music fan to enjoy.
2. Clutch – From Beale Street to Oblivion – “Electric Worry”
Do you really need to justify a Clutch song showing up anywhere in life? I think not. Just in case you haven’t heard this song I will elaborate slightly. In my opinion “Electric Worry” is one of, if not the bands most accessible jam. It is stuffed with enough blues, funk, and rock to have even the most stanch disbelievers saying Amen.
3. Cake – Fashion Nugget – “The Distance”
I was this close to throwing the obscure “Jolene” off the bands debut Motorcades Of Generosity in this spot, however cooler heads prevailed and I realized I could not do that to “The Distance.” If Cake isn’t a first ballot Rock Hall induction the streets of Cleveland should burn. “Reluctantly crouched at the starting line / engines humping and thumping in time / the green light flashes the flags go up / churning and burning they yearn for the cup.” If you aren’t ready to go after that you might want to consider talking to your doctor about a Cialis prescription.
4. Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run – “Born to Run”
If “The Boss” doesn’t show up somewhere on your vacation soundtrack your dad is sure to become more disgruntled then he already was when your mom needed three bathroom stops two hours into the trip. This will more then likely set his tolerance threshold at dangerous levels, prompting at some point the go to dad line, “what is this crap.” That is why Bruce and the E Street Band is an absolute must, not just to keep the old man happy, but because no one can do it better.
5. Foo Fighters – The Colour and the Shape – “Hey, Johnny Park!”
This is, in my opinion, the best song the Foo’s have ever written, and no one ever talks about it! This song is so good, if I was putting together a top 20 of jazz and easy listening standards it would be included in that as well. I could put this on any top 20 I come up with from here on out and feel completely justified. Also the Foo Fighters have universal appeal that moms, dads and even sisters can get down with.
6. Frank Sinatra – Sinatra Reprise: The Very Good Years – “Luck Be a Lady”
Just like Mr. Springsteen, Frank is an absolute must for swagger and machismo. Snap your fingers and tap your foot to this swinging Sinatra classic as you curse down the highway. If you can’t find a small place in your musical world to appreciate Ol’ blue eyes then you minds well just become a country music fan.
7. Oasis – Definitely Maybe – “Married With Children”
Most of the songs on this list are high profile hits from each band’s respective catalog; however this deep cut from the bands debut album is well worth the obscurity. A bouncy acoustic guitar, killer electric lead and strong vocal performance are the only elements needed to craft the forgotten oasis jam.
8. Pearl Jam – Lost Dogs – “Last Kiss”
If you asked a person unfamiliar with Pearl Jam to name you a song chances are “Last Kiss” will come to mind. The bands cover of Wayne Cochran’s tale of highway tragedy lends an interesting contrast to the upbeat and bright musical accompaniment. On second thought a song about a fatal highway crash might not be the best karma grabber for your pilgrimage. Include at your own risk.
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication – “Road Trippin”
The title track for this top 20 list is either an absolute must and would be viewed as a glaring omission, or is a cheesy pick that is embarrassingly obvious. For arguments sake we are going to stick with reasoning number one. Even if you are in the cheesy camp, since when is a mellow finger picking acoustic ballad with a strolling bass line from the Chili Peppers a bad time?
10. Steve Miller Band – The Joker – “The Joker”
Just fantastic! Pure musical ecstasy crammed into 3:38 of time. Roll down the windows and do the wavy motion thing with your hand. As we cross over the half way point on the list it is once again imperative to hit a classic jam for your road trip guides to enjoy. If the higher ups ridding shotgun haven’t heard enough music to suit their tastes at this point you’re liable to get the plug pulled.
11. Zwan – Mary Star of The Sea – “Yeah!”
The post-Pumpkins happy music featured on Zwan’s one and only album never really seemed to please the faithful Corgan following. Having not fully listened to the album till a few years after it was released; I was pleasantly surprised with my level of enjoyment from top to bottom on this album.
12. Staind – Dysfunction – “Home”
Alright so this song doesn’t ooze with obvious road trip juice. However with Clutch’s “Electric Worry” being the only other song with substantial testosterone on the list thus far, its about time you treated yourself to a mid tempo head bang. If anyone is down on this song or album because of what Staind has since gone on to accomplish or not accomplish in music should be taken into interrogation with Jack Bauer.
13. Sponge – Wax Ecstatic – “Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)”
No one can embody the over-saturated grunge boom of the nineties quite like Sponge. I am pretty confidante in saying that only five people know of this bands existence. Three of the five are on the S*KM staff, the forth is a former band mate of mine, and the fifth remains at large and has to be out there somewhere. I bought this album second had at CD Warehouse for $2 and it remains the best value purchase in my collection.
14. Jamie Cullum – Catching Tales – “Get Your Way”
This funky fresh jazz grove has more attitude then Axl Rose backstage circa 1991. Prancing piano and a hypnotically dirty brass section elevate this song beyond the jazz genre transcending it to harbor universal appeal.
15. Elton John – Madman Across the Water – “Tinny Dancer”
It’s time for your own personal “Almost Famous” moment, start a car-wide sing-a-long to this epic ballad. The first 2 min and 30 seconds of the song serve as musical foreplay building up to the perfect blend of chorus glory. All together now, “Hold me closer tiny dancer / Count the headlights on the highway.”
16. Billy Joel – Glass Houses – “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”
The mid tempo thump of palm muted guitar and kick drum create an irresistible intro. Like “The Boss,” Sinatra, Steve Miller Band, and even Elton John, Billy Joel is on this list for not only his dad factor, but his timeless music and fantastic song writing ability. But you don’t need me to tell you that, just listen and enjoy.
17. Eagles – Desperado – “Out of Control”
Solid rock grove from the kings of 70’s rock, this song could be consider thrash metal in comparison to the rest of the bands catalog. At the very least it sounds more like an Eagles of Death Metal tune then the “Doolin’ Dalton” Eagles we are accustom to. Note: This marks the end of parental appeasement for the remainder of the list.
18. Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power – “Walk”
After the last three songs you should have banked enough good will and sedated the audience adequately to get away with this one. Start a mosh pit in the backseat and take no prisoners, its five more hours till the next rest stop, better get it out now.
19. Rilo Kiley – Under the Blacklight – “Money Maker”
You might think this an odd choice to fallow up the brutality that just ensued, however it is only the calm before the storm. The murky funk that takes place on this track is seductive and unsuspectingly aggressive. Not to mention Jenny Lewis is a well put together member of the female gender.
20. Rollins Band – Nice – “Your Number Is One”
Other passengers be damned, it’s time for hardcore legend Henry Rollins to send this top 20 out with a bang. Don’t feel bad if you catch your grandma with a forearm during this track, she has all week to heal up. A wicked bass line and Rollins’ bark seem like the perfect way to depart our Road Trippin’ Top 20. Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, this 1 hour and 20 minuets of music only consumed 60-70 miles of your 700 mile expedition. Happy trails.