Songs about zoom.
May 22, 2010 10:31 AM Subscribe
Songs on the theme of transportation?
I am looking to put together a playlist on the theme of transportation. I am NOT just looking for "good driving songs"--the songs must actually be about transportation, ie, they must mention transportation in the lyrics. It can be any type of transportation or transportation infrastructure: trains, train stations, buses, bus stops, driving, walking, parking lots, cars, bicycles, roller skates(!), boats, airplanes, elevators, escalators, etc.
So far, I've got:
Albert Hammond Jr - In Transit
Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
Beach Boys - I Get Around
Beirut - The Canals of Our City
Big Star - Big Black Car
Box Tops - The Letter
Cher - Walking in Memphis
Coolio - Fantastic Voyage
Cracker - Teen Angst
Cranes - shining road
Dishwalla - Counting Blue Cars
Eels - Railroad Man
Girlschool - Hit And Run
Goldfrapp - Train
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Gordon Lightfoot - Carefree Highway
Gordon Lightfoot - Steel Rail Blues
Hollies - Bus Stop
Kim Carnes - Crazy In The Night (Barking At Airplanes)
Live - Run To The Water
Meat Loaf - Objects in the Rear View Mirror
Metallica - Turn The Page
Metric - Patriarch On A Vespa
Neko Case - Train from Kansas City
Party Ben - Walking with a Ghost in Paris (Tegan & Sara vs Mylo)
Patti Smith - Downtown Train
PJ Harvey - Highway '61 Revisited
Poe - Fly Away
Primus - Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Prince - Little Red Corvette
Roy Orbison - I Drove All Night
Scissor Sisters - Lovers in the Backseat
Sheena Easton - My Baby Takes The Morning Train
Soul Asylum - Black Gold
Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song
Tangerine Dream - Love On A Real Train
The Arcade Fire - Cars and Telephones
The Arcade Fire - In The Backseat
The Beatles - Baby You Can Drive My Car
The Faint - Cars Pass in Cold Blood
The Velvet Underground - Train Round the Bend
Tom Petty - Life Is A Highway
Tom Waits - Downtown Train
TV On The Radio - Freeway
Whiskeytown - Theme For A Trucker
I want more! Go! (Hee. Get it? Go?)
I am looking to put together a playlist on the theme of transportation. I am NOT just looking for "good driving songs"--the songs must actually be about transportation, ie, they must mention transportation in the lyrics. It can be any type of transportation or transportation infrastructure: trains, train stations, buses, bus stops, driving, walking, parking lots, cars, bicycles, roller skates(!), boats, airplanes, elevators, escalators, etc.
So far, I've got:
Albert Hammond Jr - In Transit
Arcade Fire - No Cars Go
Beach Boys - I Get Around
Beirut - The Canals of Our City
Big Star - Big Black Car
Box Tops - The Letter
Cher - Walking in Memphis
Coolio - Fantastic Voyage
Cracker - Teen Angst
Cranes - shining road
Dishwalla - Counting Blue Cars
Eels - Railroad Man
Girlschool - Hit And Run
Goldfrapp - Train
Gordon Lightfoot - Canadian Railroad Trilogy
Gordon Lightfoot - Carefree Highway
Gordon Lightfoot - Steel Rail Blues
Hollies - Bus Stop
Kim Carnes - Crazy In The Night (Barking At Airplanes)
Live - Run To The Water
Meat Loaf - Objects in the Rear View Mirror
Metallica - Turn The Page
Metric - Patriarch On A Vespa
Neko Case - Train from Kansas City
Party Ben - Walking with a Ghost in Paris (Tegan & Sara vs Mylo)
Patti Smith - Downtown Train
PJ Harvey - Highway '61 Revisited
Poe - Fly Away
Primus - Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Prince - Little Red Corvette
Roy Orbison - I Drove All Night
Scissor Sisters - Lovers in the Backseat
Sheena Easton - My Baby Takes The Morning Train
Soul Asylum - Black Gold
Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song
Tangerine Dream - Love On A Real Train
The Arcade Fire - Cars and Telephones
The Arcade Fire - In The Backseat
The Beatles - Baby You Can Drive My Car
The Faint - Cars Pass in Cold Blood
The Velvet Underground - Train Round the Bend
Tom Petty - Life Is A Highway
Tom Waits - Downtown Train
TV On The Radio - Freeway
Whiskeytown - Theme For A Trucker
I want more! Go! (Hee. Get it? Go?)
Public radio's Car Talk does a million of these. Here's a link to search all the auto-related songs they've used.
posted by apollo at 10:45 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by apollo at 10:45 AM on May 22, 2010
If feet count as transportation: "This Land is Your Land," by Woody Guthrie: "As I went walking that ribbon of highway...I roamed and rambled and followed my footsteps...then I was strolling" etc
Oh and thanks SO much; I now have Celine Dion's version of "I Drove All Night" stuck in my head. I DROVE ALL NIIIIIIIIIIGHT....yikes.
posted by sallybrown at 10:53 AM on May 22, 2010
Oh and thanks SO much; I now have Celine Dion's version of "I Drove All Night" stuck in my head. I DROVE ALL NIIIIIIIIIIGHT....yikes.
posted by sallybrown at 10:53 AM on May 22, 2010
From me and my dad:
Tori Amos - China ("But I'm in an airplane...")
Beach Boys - 409
Beach Boys - Little Deuce Coupe
The Beatles - Back in the USSR ("Flew in from Miami...")
The Beatles - The Ballad & Yoko (lots of airplane routes)
The Beatles - Ticket to Ride
Death Cab for Cutie - Passenger Seat
Death Cab for Cutie - Title and Registration
Dave Dudley - Six Days on the Road
Bob Dylan - When I Paint My Masterpiece (more plane routes)
Emmy Lou Harris - Boulder to Birmingham
Little Feet - Willin'
Paul McCartney - The Back Seat of My Car
Gary Numan - Cars
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Aeroplane
Rihanna - Shut Up and Drive
Rolling Stones - Moonlight Mile
Queen - I'm in Love with My Car
Ike Turner - Rocket 88
Ike & Tina Turner / Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary
Mike Watt - Big Train
various artists - (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66
various artists - Train Kept A-Rollin'
FYI, the name of your Beatles song is "Drive My Car."
posted by Jaltcoh at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2010
Tori Amos - China ("But I'm in an airplane...")
Beach Boys - 409
Beach Boys - Little Deuce Coupe
The Beatles - Back in the USSR ("Flew in from Miami...")
The Beatles - The Ballad & Yoko (lots of airplane routes)
The Beatles - Ticket to Ride
Death Cab for Cutie - Passenger Seat
Death Cab for Cutie - Title and Registration
Dave Dudley - Six Days on the Road
Bob Dylan - When I Paint My Masterpiece (more plane routes)
Emmy Lou Harris - Boulder to Birmingham
Little Feet - Willin'
Paul McCartney - The Back Seat of My Car
Gary Numan - Cars
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Aeroplane
Rihanna - Shut Up and Drive
Rolling Stones - Moonlight Mile
Queen - I'm in Love with My Car
Ike Turner - Rocket 88
Ike & Tina Turner / Creedence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary
Mike Watt - Big Train
various artists - (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66
various artists - Train Kept A-Rollin'
FYI, the name of your Beatles song is "Drive My Car."
posted by Jaltcoh at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2010
Take the 'A' train by Billy Strayhorn/Duke Ellington
Road Man by Smashmouth
Charlie on the MTA by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes
posted by Salvor Hardin at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2010
Road Man by Smashmouth
Charlie on the MTA by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes
posted by Salvor Hardin at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2010
Melissa Etheridge - You Can Sleep While I Drive
Indigo Girls - Airplane
Life's Railway To Heaven Lyrics - Patsy Cline (others too)
posted by jocelmeow at 10:56 AM on May 22, 2010
Indigo Girls - Airplane
Life's Railway To Heaven Lyrics - Patsy Cline (others too)
posted by jocelmeow at 10:56 AM on May 22, 2010
Deep Purple--Highway Star
Doobie Brothers--Long Train Running
posted by Slinga at 11:04 AM on May 22, 2010
Doobie Brothers--Long Train Running
posted by Slinga at 11:04 AM on May 22, 2010
Eddie Rabbit - Driving My Life Away
Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans
posted by codswallop at 11:09 AM on May 22, 2010
Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans
posted by codswallop at 11:09 AM on May 22, 2010
Ricky Nelson, Traveling Man
Willie Nelson, On the Road Again
posted by Houstonian at 11:16 AM on May 22, 2010
Willie Nelson, On the Road Again
posted by Houstonian at 11:16 AM on May 22, 2010
Violent Femmes - Wating For the Bus
Beach Boys - Sloop John B
Billy Ocean - Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car
Gladys Knight and the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia
Cake - Stickshifts and Safety Belts
Roger Miller - King of the Road
Ohio Players - Rollercoaster of Love (I know that one might be pushing it)
Sinatra - Come Fly With Me
Springsteen or Natalie Cole - Pink Cadillac
posted by zooropa at 11:16 AM on May 22, 2010
Beach Boys - Sloop John B
Billy Ocean - Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car
Gladys Knight and the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia
Cake - Stickshifts and Safety Belts
Roger Miller - King of the Road
Ohio Players - Rollercoaster of Love (I know that one might be pushing it)
Sinatra - Come Fly With Me
Springsteen or Natalie Cole - Pink Cadillac
posted by zooropa at 11:16 AM on May 22, 2010
MTA, Kingston Trio
Roller Skates, of course.
The Little Old Lady from Pasadena
I am really dating myself with this stuff.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:18 AM on May 22, 2010
Roller Skates, of course.
The Little Old Lady from Pasadena
I am really dating myself with this stuff.
posted by SLC Mom at 11:18 AM on May 22, 2010
Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express
Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel
Weezer - Surf Wax America
posted by ctab at 11:18 AM on May 22, 2010
Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel
Weezer - Surf Wax America
posted by ctab at 11:18 AM on May 22, 2010
Canned Heat, On the Road Again (different song than Willie Nelson's)
posted by Houstonian at 11:19 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 11:19 AM on May 22, 2010
Trains are a common theme of Jimmie Rodgers, e.g. "Brakeman's Blues," "Waiting for a Train," "Train Whistle Blues." He was known as the "Signing Brakeman"
"Slow Down" - JB Lenoir This is a terrible recording, but its such a great song.
"Casey Jones" Grateful Dead, see also the folk tune "The Ballad of Casey Jones"
posted by greasy_skillet at 11:19 AM on May 22, 2010
"Slow Down" - JB Lenoir This is a terrible recording, but its such a great song.
"Casey Jones" Grateful Dead, see also the folk tune "The Ballad of Casey Jones"
posted by greasy_skillet at 11:19 AM on May 22, 2010
The Who, "Magic Bus" and "Goin' Mobile"
posted by Daily Alice at 11:32 AM on May 22, 2010
posted by Daily Alice at 11:32 AM on May 22, 2010
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Railroad Song
Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison Blues (kinda -- the singer wants to be on the train, and arguably someone's on it)
Charlie Pride, Six Days on the Road
posted by Houstonian at 11:39 AM on May 22, 2010
Johnny Cash, Folsom Prison Blues (kinda -- the singer wants to be on the train, and arguably someone's on it)
Charlie Pride, Six Days on the Road
posted by Houstonian at 11:39 AM on May 22, 2010
Lots of car-themed songs from Cake. For example:
Cake - Alpha Beta Parking Lot
Cake - Long Line of Cars (one of my favorites)
Cake - Stickshifts and Safetybelts
Cake - The Distance
posted by lou at 11:42 AM on May 22, 2010
Cake - Alpha Beta Parking Lot
Cake - Long Line of Cars (one of my favorites)
Cake - Stickshifts and Safetybelts
Cake - The Distance
posted by lou at 11:42 AM on May 22, 2010
Running For the Bus - Iain Ballamy, from Mirrormask (although instrumental)
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - The Band
Helicopters - Barenaked Ladies
The Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel - Barenaked Ladies
Car Thief - Beastie Boys
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine (c'mon, people!)
Silver Wheels - Bruce Cockburn
Tibetan Side of Town - Bruce Cockburn ('Tom Kelly's bike rumbles down)
Long Line of Cars - Cake
Satan is my Motor - Cake
Race Car Ya-Yas - Cake
The Car Song - The Cat Empire
Transistor Radio - Cloud Cult (fantastic song)
Car Crash - Cloud Cult
Road Rage - Da Vinci's Notebook
One-Way Ticket to Pluto - Dead Kennedys
Winnebago Warrior - Dead Kennedys
Shipping up to Boston - Dropkick Murphys
Rocky Road to Dublin - tradition Irish
Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot
Hitchin' A Ride - Green Day
Safe and Sound - Hawksley Workman
The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side - Magnetic Fields
Steam Powered Aero Plane - New Grass Revival
Drive All Night - Po' Girl
Open Car - Porcupine Tree
Trains - Porcupine Tree
Heartattack in a Layby - Porcupine Tree
Dune Buggy - Presidents of the United States of America
Destination Moon - They Might Be Giants
Turn This Car Around - Tom Petty
Burma-Shave - Tom Waits
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:55 AM on May 22, 2010
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - The Band
Helicopters - Barenaked Ladies
The Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel - Barenaked Ladies
Car Thief - Beastie Boys
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine (c'mon, people!)
Silver Wheels - Bruce Cockburn
Tibetan Side of Town - Bruce Cockburn ('Tom Kelly's bike rumbles down)
Long Line of Cars - Cake
Satan is my Motor - Cake
Race Car Ya-Yas - Cake
The Car Song - The Cat Empire
Transistor Radio - Cloud Cult (fantastic song)
Car Crash - Cloud Cult
Road Rage - Da Vinci's Notebook
One-Way Ticket to Pluto - Dead Kennedys
Winnebago Warrior - Dead Kennedys
Shipping up to Boston - Dropkick Murphys
Rocky Road to Dublin - tradition Irish
Canadian Railroad Trilogy - Gordon Lightfoot
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald - Gordon Lightfoot
Hitchin' A Ride - Green Day
Safe and Sound - Hawksley Workman
The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side - Magnetic Fields
Steam Powered Aero Plane - New Grass Revival
Drive All Night - Po' Girl
Open Car - Porcupine Tree
Trains - Porcupine Tree
Heartattack in a Layby - Porcupine Tree
Dune Buggy - Presidents of the United States of America
Destination Moon - They Might Be Giants
Turn This Car Around - Tom Petty
Burma-Shave - Tom Waits
posted by Lemurrhea at 11:55 AM on May 22, 2010
Here Comes Bob by Sparks:
When I spot a driver worth a second glance
Foot to floorboard, impact soon achieved
Here comes Bob!
I ain't subtle in my ways of making friends
Girl, this rubbled mess was caused by my neglect
Of course, I'll pay and by the way, my dear
Here comes Bob!
I ain't subtle in my ways of making friends
Sometimes I'll stoop to hitting
Two-door coupes without the frills
But that's just for casual acquaintances,
For stripped-down thrills
Your car, girl -or mine?
It doesn't matter, doesn't matter, no
But for affairs with staying power
I go after limousines
It's always nice if something big
Is acting as your go-between
And for group encounters I'll hit buses,
Mobile homes, or trains to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
It's hard to make acquaintances in our big town
Most eyes stare at nothing much at all
But here comes Bob!
I ain't subtle in my ways of making friends
posted by Oriole Adams at 11:55 AM on May 22, 2010
When I spot a driver worth a second glance
Foot to floorboard, impact soon achieved
Here comes Bob!
I ain't subtle in my ways of making friends
Girl, this rubbled mess was caused by my neglect
Of course, I'll pay and by the way, my dear
Here comes Bob!
I ain't subtle in my ways of making friends
Sometimes I'll stoop to hitting
Two-door coupes without the frills
But that's just for casual acquaintances,
For stripped-down thrills
Your car, girl -or mine?
It doesn't matter, doesn't matter, no
But for affairs with staying power
I go after limousines
It's always nice if something big
Is acting as your go-between
And for group encounters I'll hit buses,
Mobile homes, or trains to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
It's hard to make acquaintances in our big town
Most eyes stare at nothing much at all
But here comes Bob!
I ain't subtle in my ways of making friends
posted by Oriole Adams at 11:55 AM on May 22, 2010
Simon and Garfunkel - Homeward Bound
Simon and Garfunkel - America (to a lesser extent)
Weird Al Yankovic - She Drives Like Crazy
Tom Waits - Train Song (note - NOT a good driving song, but it is about transportation!)
Jethro Tull - Too Old To Rock And Roll
Flanders and Swann - Omnibus
The Doors - Moonlight Drive
And my god, lou, you're a Cake fan, and you missed their best car song of all
Cake - Satan Is My Motor
Also, if you're cool with having music about transport that doesn't have any lyrics, you could try...
Villa-Lobos - The Little Train
posted by fearnothing at 12:10 PM on May 22, 2010
Simon and Garfunkel - America (to a lesser extent)
Weird Al Yankovic - She Drives Like Crazy
Tom Waits - Train Song (note - NOT a good driving song, but it is about transportation!)
Jethro Tull - Too Old To Rock And Roll
Flanders and Swann - Omnibus
The Doors - Moonlight Drive
And my god, lou, you're a Cake fan, and you missed their best car song of all
Cake - Satan Is My Motor
Also, if you're cool with having music about transport that doesn't have any lyrics, you could try...
Villa-Lobos - The Little Train
posted by fearnothing at 12:10 PM on May 22, 2010
Sister Nancy - Transport Connection: bicycle, motorcycle, car, train, donkey cart, etc.
posted by hydrophonic at 12:11 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by hydrophonic at 12:11 PM on May 22, 2010
Built to Spill - Car
The Boy Least Likely To - I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star
posted by rabbitsnake at 12:12 PM on May 22, 2010
The Boy Least Likely To - I'm Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star
posted by rabbitsnake at 12:12 PM on May 22, 2010
Oh, and almost forgot... if steampunk in any way whatsoever floats your boat, you should also check out Airship Pirate by Abney Park
posted by fearnothing at 12:12 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by fearnothing at 12:12 PM on May 22, 2010
New York Dolls - Subway Train
Lee Hazlewood - No Train to Stockholm
posted by hydrophonic at 12:21 PM on May 22, 2010
Lee Hazlewood - No Train to Stockholm
posted by hydrophonic at 12:21 PM on May 22, 2010
"Mystery Train" (numerous versions)
Fats Domino -- "I'm Walking"
Neil Young & Crazy Horse -- "White Line"
Several songs from Neil Young's 1981 album Re-ac-tor
REM -- "Drive"
REM -- "Driver 8"
Vampire Weekend -- "M79"
The Velvet Underground -- "Run run run"
posted by dhens at 12:25 PM on May 22, 2010
Fats Domino -- "I'm Walking"
Neil Young & Crazy Horse -- "White Line"
Several songs from Neil Young's 1981 album Re-ac-tor
REM -- "Drive"
REM -- "Driver 8"
Vampire Weekend -- "M79"
The Velvet Underground -- "Run run run"
posted by dhens at 12:25 PM on May 22, 2010
Wheels on the Bus? For a change of pace. I've always been interested in knowing how many American kids know that song versus how many American kids will ever ride a city bus.
posted by yarrow at 12:28 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by yarrow at 12:28 PM on May 22, 2010
Modern Lovers - Ride on Down the Highway
Modern Lovers - Roadrunner
posted by hydrophonic at 12:29 PM on May 22, 2010
Modern Lovers - Roadrunner
posted by hydrophonic at 12:29 PM on May 22, 2010
Jill Sobule, "Jetpack"
posted by Vinegaroon at 12:32 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Vinegaroon at 12:32 PM on May 22, 2010
Best answer: These not only mention travel but I can vouch for the fact they're great songs too.
Greyhound Bus - The Hang-Ups
Waiting for the Bus - Violent Femmes
REd Bus - The MInders
Down the Trainline - Stranger and Patsy
Nice Train - The Donkeys
The Day We Caught The Train - Ocean Colour Scene
Last of the Steam-Powered Trains - The Kinks
A Peculiar Noise Called 'Train Director' - Olivia Tremor Control
Last Train Home - David Mead
Night Train - Brown Recluse
Throwing Bricks at Trains - Future of the Left
Run Away Train II - Still Flyin'
The Last Train to Deathville - The Deathray Davies
Mrs. Train - They Might Be Giants
Boxcar - Stairwell
Don't Wreck Your Car - Ashley Stove
Houseboat - Chris Barth
Car Radio - Spoon
Survival Car - Fountains of Wayne
Car Parts - The Long Winters
Car Song - Elastica
Stolen Car - Beth Orton
Electric Car - They Might Be Giants
I love My Car - Belle and Sebastian
Disarming the Car Bomb - Islands
Cars for King's Cross - Richard Davies
Drive all Over Town - Elliott Smith
Sunday Morning Drive - Blue Cartoon
On the Drive Home - of Montreal
Taxi Driver - Gym Class Heroes
A Drive By the House of the Girl That Broke My Heart - I Love Math
The Year of Driving Languorously - The Lucksmiths
The Art of Driving - Black Box Recorder
A Man's Life Flashing Before His Eyes While He and HIs Wife Drive Off A Cliff Into The Ocean - of Montreal
Walkin' Around - The Hang-Ups
Let's Go For A Walk - of Montreal
Walk In the Park - Oh No, Oh My
We Could Walk Together - The Clientele
Walking In the Park - The Clientele
Bicycle - The Minders
Leave the Biker - Fountains of Wayne
Dirt Bike - They MIght Be Giants
Dirt-Bike Option - The Fauves
Rollerskate Skinny - Old 97's
I'm On A Boat - The Lonely Island
You Are an Airplaine - Of Montreal
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk HOtel
Airplanes - Local Natives
Paper Plane - The Minders
Elevator Action - Masters of the Hemisphere
Elevator is Temporary - The Lilys
Enter the Elevator - Citizens Here and Abroad
Jettsett Traveler - Oranger
posted by twinight at 12:36 PM on May 22, 2010
Greyhound Bus - The Hang-Ups
Waiting for the Bus - Violent Femmes
REd Bus - The MInders
Down the Trainline - Stranger and Patsy
Nice Train - The Donkeys
The Day We Caught The Train - Ocean Colour Scene
Last of the Steam-Powered Trains - The Kinks
A Peculiar Noise Called 'Train Director' - Olivia Tremor Control
Last Train Home - David Mead
Night Train - Brown Recluse
Throwing Bricks at Trains - Future of the Left
Run Away Train II - Still Flyin'
The Last Train to Deathville - The Deathray Davies
Mrs. Train - They Might Be Giants
Boxcar - Stairwell
Don't Wreck Your Car - Ashley Stove
Houseboat - Chris Barth
Car Radio - Spoon
Survival Car - Fountains of Wayne
Car Parts - The Long Winters
Car Song - Elastica
Stolen Car - Beth Orton
Electric Car - They Might Be Giants
I love My Car - Belle and Sebastian
Disarming the Car Bomb - Islands
Cars for King's Cross - Richard Davies
Drive all Over Town - Elliott Smith
Sunday Morning Drive - Blue Cartoon
On the Drive Home - of Montreal
Taxi Driver - Gym Class Heroes
A Drive By the House of the Girl That Broke My Heart - I Love Math
The Year of Driving Languorously - The Lucksmiths
The Art of Driving - Black Box Recorder
A Man's Life Flashing Before His Eyes While He and HIs Wife Drive Off A Cliff Into The Ocean - of Montreal
Walkin' Around - The Hang-Ups
Let's Go For A Walk - of Montreal
Walk In the Park - Oh No, Oh My
We Could Walk Together - The Clientele
Walking In the Park - The Clientele
Bicycle - The Minders
Leave the Biker - Fountains of Wayne
Dirt Bike - They MIght Be Giants
Dirt-Bike Option - The Fauves
Rollerskate Skinny - Old 97's
I'm On A Boat - The Lonely Island
You Are an Airplaine - Of Montreal
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk HOtel
Airplanes - Local Natives
Paper Plane - The Minders
Elevator Action - Masters of the Hemisphere
Elevator is Temporary - The Lilys
Enter the Elevator - Citizens Here and Abroad
Jettsett Traveler - Oranger
posted by twinight at 12:36 PM on May 22, 2010
feist and ben gibbard - the train song
animal collective - summertime clothes
micachu and the shapes - ship
discovery - osaka loop line
the ting tings - we walk
oh no on my - walk in the park
neutral milk hotel - aeroplane over the sea
broken bells - sailing to nowhere
destroyer - it's gonna take an airplane
grace potter and the nocturnals - stop the bus
posted by jus7brea7he at 12:39 PM on May 22, 2010
animal collective - summertime clothes
micachu and the shapes - ship
discovery - osaka loop line
the ting tings - we walk
oh no on my - walk in the park
neutral milk hotel - aeroplane over the sea
broken bells - sailing to nowhere
destroyer - it's gonna take an airplane
grace potter and the nocturnals - stop the bus
posted by jus7brea7he at 12:39 PM on May 22, 2010
Sorry, I meant:
The Beatles - The Ballad of John & Yoko
posted by Jaltcoh at 12:47 PM on May 22, 2010
The Beatles - The Ballad of John & Yoko
posted by Jaltcoh at 12:47 PM on May 22, 2010
Last verse of Parents Just Don't Understand by Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Buck Rogers by Feeder.
posted by Kattullus at 12:48 PM on May 22, 2010
Buck Rogers by Feeder.
posted by Kattullus at 12:48 PM on May 22, 2010
Tour de France - Kraftwerk
Autobahn - Kraftwerk
Sailing - Rod Stewart
Keep on Running - Spencer Davis Group
Hit the Plane Down - Preston School
The Motorcade Sped On - Steinski & Mass Media
Air travel - Chris Farlowe
Joe le Taxi - Vanessa Paradis
Black Cab - Jens Lekman
Space Oddity - David Bowie
Jeepster - T. Rex
Rocket Man - Elton John
Pull up to the Bumber - Grace Jones
Drive - The Cars
Drive, She Said - Stan Ridgeway
posted by hot soup girl at 12:52 PM on May 22, 2010
Autobahn - Kraftwerk
Sailing - Rod Stewart
Keep on Running - Spencer Davis Group
Hit the Plane Down - Preston School
The Motorcade Sped On - Steinski & Mass Media
Air travel - Chris Farlowe
Joe le Taxi - Vanessa Paradis
Black Cab - Jens Lekman
Space Oddity - David Bowie
Jeepster - T. Rex
Rocket Man - Elton John
Pull up to the Bumber - Grace Jones
Drive - The Cars
Drive, She Said - Stan Ridgeway
posted by hot soup girl at 12:52 PM on May 22, 2010
"You're Crazy for Taking the Bus" by Jonathan Richman
posted by backwards guitar at 1:00 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by backwards guitar at 1:00 PM on May 22, 2010
Harry Belafonte's Day-O discusses the banana boat. Weird Al's Truck Driving Song is what first came to mind, though.
posted by knile at 1:09 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by knile at 1:09 PM on May 22, 2010
Tom Brosseau - I'm Traveling the River on the Dakota Queen
Palace Music/Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Ohio River Boat Song
Nazz - When I Get My Plane
The Who -Early Morning Cold Taxi
posted by hydrophonic at 1:31 PM on May 22, 2010
Palace Music/Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Ohio River Boat Song
Nazz - When I Get My Plane
The Who -Early Morning Cold Taxi
posted by hydrophonic at 1:31 PM on May 22, 2010
455 Rocket by Kathy Mattea
Sweet Little '66 by Steve Earle
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:31 PM on May 22, 2010
Sweet Little '66 by Steve Earle
posted by SuperSquirrel at 1:31 PM on May 22, 2010
[GAHHHH; posted too quickly. Hit the Plane Down is of course by Pavement, not by Scott Kannberg's later band Preston School of Industry. And Grace Jones is inviting you to pull up to her "bumper", not her "bumber" (though the latter word is perhaps more evocative of Jones's subtext.)
posted by hot soup girl at 1:43 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by hot soup girl at 1:43 PM on May 22, 2010
Civil Twilight - The Weakerthans
posted by just_ducky at 2:33 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by just_ducky at 2:33 PM on May 22, 2010
Luka Bloom — "The Acoustic Motorbike" (lyrics)
Chuck Brodsky's road-rage anthem "Blow 'Em Away" (scroll down here for lyrics) (could only find cover versions online, unfortunately)
Stan Ridgway — "Goin' Southbound"
The Jazz Butcher and Max Eider — "Grooving in the Bus Lane" (lyrics)
John Hiatt — "Drive South"
And "Ol' 55" is originally by Tom Waits. As is "(Looking for) The Heart of Saturday Night"
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists — "Walking to Do"
Billy Bragg — "Train Train" (if you go to the beginning of this video, it also has Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Train Long Suffering")
posted by Lexica at 2:47 PM on May 22, 2010
Chuck Brodsky's road-rage anthem "Blow 'Em Away" (scroll down here for lyrics) (could only find cover versions online, unfortunately)
Stan Ridgway — "Goin' Southbound"
The Jazz Butcher and Max Eider — "Grooving in the Bus Lane" (lyrics)
John Hiatt — "Drive South"
And "Ol' 55" is originally by Tom Waits. As is "(Looking for) The Heart of Saturday Night"
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists — "Walking to Do"
Billy Bragg — "Train Train" (if you go to the beginning of this video, it also has Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - "Train Long Suffering")
posted by Lexica at 2:47 PM on May 22, 2010
What we're missing so far is the rich tradition of country songs about trucking:
Dick Curless — A Tombstone Every Mile
Junior Brown — Nitro Express
Kelly Willis — Truckstop Girl
&c. ad infinitum
posted by nicwolff at 2:50 PM on May 22, 2010
Dick Curless — A Tombstone Every Mile
Junior Brown — Nitro Express
Kelly Willis — Truckstop Girl
&c. ad infinitum
posted by nicwolff at 2:50 PM on May 22, 2010
Bruce Springsteen, "Thunder Road"
Rush, "Red Barchetta"
Sugar, "Needle Hits E"
Fats Domino, "Walking to New Orleans"
The Proclaimers, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" "Well I would walk 500 miles..."
.38 Special, "Rockin' Into the Night"
House of Schock, "Middle of Nowhere"
Del Amitri, "Driving With the Brakes On"
Michael Penn, "Brave New World"
Eels, "Woman Driving, Man Sleeping"
The Replacements, "Kiss Me on the Bus"
Eminem, "Elevator" [extensive obscene elevator musings: "I'm living in a house with a fucking elevator"]
U2, "Zoo Station"
Richard Thompson, "1952 Vincent Black Lightning"
posted by kirkaracha at 3:48 PM on May 22, 2010
Rush, "Red Barchetta"
Sugar, "Needle Hits E"
Fats Domino, "Walking to New Orleans"
The Proclaimers, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" "Well I would walk 500 miles..."
.38 Special, "Rockin' Into the Night"
House of Schock, "Middle of Nowhere"
Del Amitri, "Driving With the Brakes On"
Michael Penn, "Brave New World"
Eels, "Woman Driving, Man Sleeping"
The Replacements, "Kiss Me on the Bus"
Eminem, "Elevator" [extensive obscene elevator musings: "I'm living in a house with a fucking elevator"]
U2, "Zoo Station"
Richard Thompson, "1952 Vincent Black Lightning"
posted by kirkaracha at 3:48 PM on May 22, 2010
roller skates(!)
Dire Straits, "Skateaway"
Roger Miller, "You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd"
De La Soul, "A Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'"
posted by kirkaracha at 3:53 PM on May 22, 2010
Golden Earring, "Radar Love"
posted by kirkaracha at 3:54 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by kirkaracha at 3:54 PM on May 22, 2010
Sammy Hagar, I Can't Drive 55
posted by Houstonian at 3:59 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 3:59 PM on May 22, 2010
Everything I can think of has already been covered above, except for:
Megadeth - High Speed Dirt
posted by Hither at 3:59 PM on May 22, 2010
Megadeth - High Speed Dirt
posted by Hither at 3:59 PM on May 22, 2010
ZZ Top, Driving While Blind
posted by Houstonian at 4:02 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 4:02 PM on May 22, 2010
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (song written by the Sherman Brothers)
posted by Houstonian at 4:09 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 4:09 PM on May 22, 2010
Rob Zombie - Demon Speeding
Rob Zombie - Dragula
Rob Zombie - Two-Lane Blacktop
Row Row Row Your Boat :)
posted by Hither at 4:10 PM on May 22, 2010
Rob Zombie - Dragula
Rob Zombie - Two-Lane Blacktop
Row Row Row Your Boat :)
posted by Hither at 4:10 PM on May 22, 2010
Madness, Driving in My Car
posted by Houstonian at 4:13 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 4:13 PM on May 22, 2010
Glenn Miller - Chattanooga Choo-Choo
Transportation metaphors:
AC/DC - Highway to Hell
Guns 'n' Roses - Night Train
Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
posted by Hither at 4:18 PM on May 22, 2010
Transportation metaphors:
AC/DC - Highway to Hell
Guns 'n' Roses - Night Train
Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train
posted by Hither at 4:18 PM on May 22, 2010
Dionne Warwick, "Trains and Boats and Planes"
Steve Earle, "Continental Trailways Blues"
posted by kirkaracha at 4:52 PM on May 22, 2010
Steve Earle, "Continental Trailways Blues"
posted by kirkaracha at 4:52 PM on May 22, 2010
Conor Oberst - Moab
Andrew Bird - The Fiery Crash
Radiohead - Killer Cars
Thom Yorke - And it Rained All Night
Bright Eyes - Classic Cars
Beck - Rental Car
Beck - Broken Train
Beck - Farewell Ride
Beck - Elevator Music
posted by Lutoslawski at 5:01 PM on May 22, 2010
Andrew Bird - The Fiery Crash
Radiohead - Killer Cars
Thom Yorke - And it Rained All Night
Bright Eyes - Classic Cars
Beck - Rental Car
Beck - Broken Train
Beck - Farewell Ride
Beck - Elevator Music
posted by Lutoslawski at 5:01 PM on May 22, 2010
I can't believe no one has mentioned Route 66 and all the times it's been covered!
posted by brujita at 5:36 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by brujita at 5:36 PM on May 22, 2010
"When I'm drivin' in my car/ and a song comes on the radio..."
Aimee Mann -- Driving Sideways
Arcade Fire -- Keep the Car Running
Arco -- Driving at Night
Beth Orton -- Stolen Car
The Blow -- Chase Drea
British Sea Power -- It Ended on an Oily Stage
Bruce Springsteen - Used Cars & Highway Patrolman & State Trooper
Cibo Matto -- Blue Train
Cyndi Lauper -- I Drove All Night
Damien Jurado -- Northbound
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammar -- Higway 80 (She's a Mighty Good Road) & Hey Conductor
Decemberists -- Engine Driver
Echobelly -- Car Fiction
Grand Archives -- Sleepdriving
Hem -- Betting on Trains
Long Blondes -- Separated by Motorways
Lucy Kaplansky -- Ten Year Night
Noisettes -- Bridge to Canada
Patty Griffin -- Stolen Car
She & Him -- Ridin' in my Car
Tom Waits -- Down there by the Train
Tori Amos -- Taxi Ride
Violent Femmes -- Gimme the Car & Waiting for the Bus
Also, I don't know if the word "car" or "driving" ever appears in REM's Nightswimming, but it's pretty clear from the context that part of it takes place in one.
posted by dizziest at 5:52 PM on May 22, 2010
Aimee Mann -- Driving Sideways
Arcade Fire -- Keep the Car Running
Arco -- Driving at Night
Beth Orton -- Stolen Car
The Blow -- Chase Drea
British Sea Power -- It Ended on an Oily Stage
Bruce Springsteen - Used Cars & Highway Patrolman & State Trooper
Cibo Matto -- Blue Train
Cyndi Lauper -- I Drove All Night
Damien Jurado -- Northbound
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammar -- Higway 80 (She's a Mighty Good Road) & Hey Conductor
Decemberists -- Engine Driver
Echobelly -- Car Fiction
Grand Archives -- Sleepdriving
Hem -- Betting on Trains
Long Blondes -- Separated by Motorways
Lucy Kaplansky -- Ten Year Night
Noisettes -- Bridge to Canada
Patty Griffin -- Stolen Car
She & Him -- Ridin' in my Car
Tom Waits -- Down there by the Train
Tori Amos -- Taxi Ride
Violent Femmes -- Gimme the Car & Waiting for the Bus
Also, I don't know if the word "car" or "driving" ever appears in REM's Nightswimming, but it's pretty clear from the context that part of it takes place in one.
posted by dizziest at 5:52 PM on May 22, 2010
I Gonna Be An Engineer from Pete Seeger's album Circles and Seasons
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:26 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by Confess, Fletch at 7:26 PM on May 22, 2010
I think you mean Tom COCHRANE's "Life Is a Highway".
Nearly anything else I can think of has already been mentioned except for the Beach Boys' "Fun Fun Fun".
I'm sure there's more there, actually. Basically every Beach Boys song from a certain era is about cars, girls, surfing, or some combination thereof.
posted by ymendel at 7:56 PM on May 22, 2010
Nearly anything else I can think of has already been mentioned except for the Beach Boys' "Fun Fun Fun".
I'm sure there's more there, actually. Basically every Beach Boys song from a certain era is about cars, girls, surfing, or some combination thereof.
posted by ymendel at 7:56 PM on May 22, 2010
Smog - Driving
posted by hydrophonic at 8:06 PM on May 22, 2010
posted by hydrophonic at 8:06 PM on May 22, 2010
I can't believe no one has mentioned Route 66 and all the times it's been covered!
I did.
posted by Jaltcoh at 8:25 PM on May 22, 2010
I did.
posted by Jaltcoh at 8:25 PM on May 22, 2010
I meant Smog - Driving (lyrics)
Hawkwind - Silver Machine (the best song about bicycle time travel ever written)
The Kinks - Drivin'
Acorn - Crooked Legs
Hank Snow - The Golden Rocket
Hank Snow - I've Been Everywhere
The Embarrassment - Sex Drive
Screaming Blue Messiahs - Twin Cadillac Valentine
posted by hydrophonic at 12:52 AM on May 23, 2010
Hawkwind - Silver Machine (the best song about bicycle time travel ever written)
The Kinks - Drivin'
Acorn - Crooked Legs
Hank Snow - The Golden Rocket
Hank Snow - I've Been Everywhere
The Embarrassment - Sex Drive
Screaming Blue Messiahs - Twin Cadillac Valentine
posted by hydrophonic at 12:52 AM on May 23, 2010
Be Your Own Pet - Bicycle Bicycle, You Are My Bicycle
posted by hydrophonic at 12:59 AM on May 23, 2010
posted by hydrophonic at 12:59 AM on May 23, 2010
The Bangles' Manic Monday was the first thing that came to mind. They mention a train and an aeroplane. And I thought one line was "The bus is already there," but apparently it's supposed to be "boss." Not sure I get that.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 2:33 AM on May 23, 2010
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 2:33 AM on May 23, 2010
Frankie Smith, Double Dutch Bus
posted by Houstonian at 2:55 AM on May 23, 2010
posted by Houstonian at 2:55 AM on May 23, 2010
Robyn Hitchcock, Trams of Old London
Richard Thompson, MGB-GT
Richard Thompson, 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Joni Mitchell, Black Crow, Hejira
posted by Jasper Fnorde at 9:27 AM on May 23, 2010
Richard Thompson, MGB-GT
Richard Thompson, 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Joni Mitchell, Black Crow, Hejira
posted by Jasper Fnorde at 9:27 AM on May 23, 2010
Nancy Griffith -- "Ford Econoline"
posted by MacChimpman at 1:09 PM on May 23, 2010
posted by MacChimpman at 1:09 PM on May 23, 2010
"Car Car" - Peter, Paul and Mary
"Chevy Van" - Sammy Johns
"The Chauffeur" - Duran Duran
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" - The Smiths
"Little Honda" - The Hondells
"Shut Down" - Beach Boys
"Sea Cruise" - Frankie Ford
posted by SisterHavana at 2:28 PM on May 23, 2010
"Chevy Van" - Sammy Johns
"The Chauffeur" - Duran Duran
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" - The Smiths
"Little Honda" - The Hondells
"Shut Down" - Beach Boys
"Sea Cruise" - Frankie Ford
posted by SisterHavana at 2:28 PM on May 23, 2010
Johnny Cash "Hey Porter"
Johnny Cash "Rowboat"
Johnny Cash "I've Been Everywhere"
Johnny Cash "Down There By the Train"
Johnny Cash "Rusty Cage"
Aretha Franklin "Freeway of Love"
John Hiatt "Lincoln Town"
John Hiatt "The Open Road"
John Hiatt "The Wreck of the Barbie Ferrari"
Richard Thompson & Los Lobos "Wreck of the Carlos Rey"
Richard Thompson "Mingulay Boat Song"
Lou Reed "Dirty Boulevard"
Lou Reed "Busload of Faith"
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris "All the Roadrunning"
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris "Red Staggerwing"
Emmylou Harris "Luxury Liner"
Notting Hillbillies "Railroad Worksong"
Los Lobos "That Train Don't Stop Here Any More"
Al Green "Take Me to the River"
The Beatles "Why Don't We Do It in the Road"
Crissie Hynde and Jeff Beck "Mystery Train" (I adore this cover)
The Doors "Roadhouse Blues"
Ella Fitzgerald "One For My Baby"
Leo Kottke "Last Steam Engine Train"
Lyle Lovett "If I Had A Boat"
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Sweet Home Alabama"
Randy Newman "Dixie Flyer"
posted by MacChimpman at 4:33 PM on May 23, 2010
Johnny Cash "Rowboat"
Johnny Cash "I've Been Everywhere"
Johnny Cash "Down There By the Train"
Johnny Cash "Rusty Cage"
Aretha Franklin "Freeway of Love"
John Hiatt "Lincoln Town"
John Hiatt "The Open Road"
John Hiatt "The Wreck of the Barbie Ferrari"
Richard Thompson & Los Lobos "Wreck of the Carlos Rey"
Richard Thompson "Mingulay Boat Song"
Lou Reed "Dirty Boulevard"
Lou Reed "Busload of Faith"
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris "All the Roadrunning"
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris "Red Staggerwing"
Emmylou Harris "Luxury Liner"
Notting Hillbillies "Railroad Worksong"
Los Lobos "That Train Don't Stop Here Any More"
Al Green "Take Me to the River"
The Beatles "Why Don't We Do It in the Road"
Crissie Hynde and Jeff Beck "Mystery Train" (I adore this cover)
The Doors "Roadhouse Blues"
Ella Fitzgerald "One For My Baby"
Leo Kottke "Last Steam Engine Train"
Lyle Lovett "If I Had A Boat"
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Sweet Home Alabama"
Randy Newman "Dixie Flyer"
posted by MacChimpman at 4:33 PM on May 23, 2010
Not enough songs about Japanese motorcycles.
The Hondells - You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda
Lou Reed - New Sensations
I Roy - Yamaha Ride
Guitar Wolf - Kawasaki Z11 750 Rock'n'Roll
The Meatmen - War Of The SuperBikes
posted by hydrophonic at 5:05 PM on May 23, 2010
The Hondells - You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda
Lou Reed - New Sensations
I Roy - Yamaha Ride
Guitar Wolf - Kawasaki Z11 750 Rock'n'Roll
The Meatmen - War Of The SuperBikes
posted by hydrophonic at 5:05 PM on May 23, 2010
Columns O' Steam - The Lucksmiths
Hello John, Got A New Motor - Alexie Sayle
Motorway To Roswell - The Pixies
Here Comes Your Man - The Pixies
Ride On - AC/DC
Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner
Two Corvettes - Animal Collective
Do You Know the Way to San José - Burt Bacharach
Chattanooga Choo Choo - Glenn Miller
Do The Choo Choo - Archie Bell & The Drells
In the Navy - Village People
Mark on the Bus - Beastie Boys
Railroad Blues - Beastie Boys
Stop the Train - Bob Marley and the Wailers
Streets Of Your Town - The Go Betweens
Subway Train - Johnny Thunders
Last Train to Clarksville - The Monkees
posted by hot soup girl at 6:17 PM on May 23, 2010
Hello John, Got A New Motor - Alexie Sayle
Motorway To Roswell - The Pixies
Here Comes Your Man - The Pixies
Ride On - AC/DC
Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner
Two Corvettes - Animal Collective
Do You Know the Way to San José - Burt Bacharach
Chattanooga Choo Choo - Glenn Miller
Do The Choo Choo - Archie Bell & The Drells
In the Navy - Village People
Mark on the Bus - Beastie Boys
Railroad Blues - Beastie Boys
Stop the Train - Bob Marley and the Wailers
Streets Of Your Town - The Go Betweens
Subway Train - Johnny Thunders
Last Train to Clarksville - The Monkees
posted by hot soup girl at 6:17 PM on May 23, 2010
Richard Shindell - Northbound 35 might fit what you're looking for.
posted by JDHarper at 8:40 PM on May 23, 2010
posted by JDHarper at 8:40 PM on May 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Donald Fagen - Kamakiriad
Eagles - Old '55
CW McCall - Convoy
posted by apollo at 10:43 AM on May 22, 2010