Road Trip Music

Road trips are a summer staple. Packing up the car in the sunshine, and hitting the highway with the top down, sunglasses on, is probably on everyone’s bucket list. There is just something about driving to your destination that makes the whole journey even more exciting. Making a pit stop to restock on snacks and drinks, pulling up on the side of the road to admire the scenery, having lunch on a random picnic table in the middle of nowhere (there’s always one of those), and getting a little bit lost always make up the best stories. Personally, I remember two epic road trips: one across Canada, and the other all the way to Niagara Falls. The first one took place when I was 5 years old; my parents decided to pack up my brother and I, along with our camping gear, and head to the other side of the country. We camped out every night, and were gone a whole month. The second trip happened in 2008, when I was 14 years old. My parents and I left with no specific destination in mind, and ended up in Niagara Falls. Both of these trips taught me that you don’t need to go far to experience a completely different environment and to make memories. I’ve always loved car rides and, later on, driving. Road trips allow a sense of freedom that is hard to find otherwise. Sitting in your car with your sunglasses and a map just screams adventure. And the best part about driving, versus boarding a plane or a train, is that you get to chose the entertainment; the music.

What albums you decide to bring on your trip is crucial: these will be the soundtrack to your great adventure. These will be the songs that’ll still remind you of your trip years from now. So choose them well! Here are a few albums that I think are perfect for driving long-distance.

El Camino
The Black Keys
To me, this album rhymes with road trip. It is my brother who introduced me to The Black Keys, a long time ago. A total car fanatic, he told me: “This is music for driving”. I didn’t have a driver’s license back then, but now that I do, I can confirm that this is definitely a CD to keep in your car. Blues rock like that never gets old.

Wild World
Bastille
Bastille is one of those bands that don’t get nearly enough credit for what they’re doing. From London, they started making music together in 2010 and everything they have released since has been pure talent. By the lyrics, the music arrangements, the music videos and their live shows, you can tell they put their heart and soul into what they put out into the world. Everything seems so thought-out and authentic. Their latest album, Wild World, is perfect for cruising down the highway, because it features 19 amazing songs, some upbeat and some more mellow. I find that each Bastille song is a little story in itself, so the lyrics are definitely worth listening to, and just might spark very interesting conversations.

Night Visions
Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons has a musical style that I would describe as epic. Each and every one of their songs is so powerful, you feel like you’re living a grand moment whenever they’re playing. This album is great to bring on the road because it features 18 songs that all have a really good beat. And like I said, it is just so epic, it’s impossible to have a boring road trip if you have them on the radio.

The Getaway
Red Hot Chili Peppers
My boyfriend bought this album last summer and it has been living in my car ever since. Every song on that album is good and makes you want to drive with the top down and the radio blasting. This band has a very chill vibe and their music is definitely summer road trip material.

American Idiot
Green Day
A total classic. If you like Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong’s voice is definitely something to bring on your getaway. This is one of my favorite albums to listen to in the car, because it’s energetic and, honestly, it just brings back good memories. This is timeless.

Ten
Pearl Jam
This is one of my boyfriend’s favorite bands, and it didn’t take long for me to get really into them (I’m sorry I was missing out before). Their music is the kind that is really easy to listen to; it just carries you and it flows effortlessly. You can drive for hours with that album on repeat and not even get tired of it. I especially love this one for sentimental reasons, but obviously Pearl Jam has been around a while and has a ton of albums. Personally, I would bring at least 10 on my trip. At least.

Essentially, I feel like a good road trip CD needs to be long enough, good enough, and easy listening. Don’t overlook the importance of bringing your own music. You don’t want radio commercials to be the soundtrack of your 8 hour drive.
Once you've made your choice, fill up the tank, press play and get driving! Adventure awaits.

If you’re going on a road trip, let me know where you’re heading and what music you’re bringing!

Much love,
-TM-