Speed, Cars, and the Open Road
Cars have been a source of inspiration for musicians for decades. From speeding down the highway to just dreaming of an open road, there are many songs that embody freedom, adventure, and rebellion. With that in mind, here are 20 jams to play next time you're winding down the road.
1. Fast Car
"Fast Car" is a soulful, narrative song performed by Tracy Chapman. The song chronicles the story of a young person's desire to leave behind poverty and live a life of freedom, with the titular car representing a potential escape. Its poignant lyrics and soft acoustic guitar strumming convey a sense of longing for a better life and the challenges of pursuing it.
2. Get in My Car
"Get in My Car" is a hip-hop song by 50 Cent. The song is all about cruising in style, using the car as a status symbol, freedom, and confidence. It has an infectious beat and playful lyrics that capture the swagger and fun of riding in a flashy car.
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3. Highway to Hell
"Highway to Hell" is a hard-rock anthem by the band AC/DC. The song is about the road of sin that one must go down, living fast and hard. The lyrics use the metaphor of a highway to describe a lifestyle of rebellion and excess.
4. Honeymoon Avenue
"Honeymoon Avenue" by Ariana Grande is a soulful pop song. The lyrics express a yearning for young love and the thrill of a relationship. They use the metaphor of a drive down a romantic street to convey the wish to relive intimate moments together.
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5. Old Town Road
"Old Town Road" is a genre-blending hit by Lil Nas X. The song combines country and rap elements to narrate a tale of horse riding and cruising on roads. It employs the imagery of travel and adventure as its central themes. Its catchy beat and playful lyrics made it a cultural phenomenon.
6. Drive My Car
"Drive My Car" is an optimistic rock song by The Beatles. The lyrics humorously describe a woman propositioning a man to "drive her car.” The cheery song embodies the fun sound of 1960s pop rock through its rhythm and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
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7. Drive
"Drive" is a synth-pop song by the rock band The Cars. The lyrics, which are mournful, meld with a seductive, propulsive rhythm to create a work where the car serves as a metaphor for power, liberation, and disconnection. The effect is hypnotic; the song's melancholic vocals and ambiance expose the road of life.
8. Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
“Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” by Billy Ocean is an uptempo pop song with a playful and catchy vibe. The lyrics talk about the car as a metaphor for taking action and making dreams come true, combining romance and fun. With a lively beat and a memorable chorus, this song conveys a sense of excitement and spontaneity.
9. Let Me Ride
"Let Me Ride" is a mellow West Coast hip-hop song by Dr. Dre. The song is an ode to cruising in style, where cars represent freedom, status, and the cool California vibe. Its smooth G-funk sound and catchy hooks capture the fun and swagger of riding with friends through the city.
10. Born to Run
"Born to Run" is a classic rock anthem by Bruce Springsteen. The song is about two young lovers trying to break free and run away, with cars and the open road as metaphors for escape and excitement. Its driving guitars, soaring vocals, and pounding rhythm embody the rush and desperation of living life on the edge and on the run.
11. White Walls
"White Walls" is a hip-hop song by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Schoolboy Q and Hollis. The song exalts car culture, specifically the pride and aesthetic of cruising in classic cars with whitewall tires, as a symbol of success and personal style.
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12. On the Road Again
"On the Road Again" is a country song by Willie Nelson. The song is an upbeat ode to the road and life on tour. The open road and life on the move are presented as an escape from the everyday, the ultimate symbol of freedom.
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13. Mercedes Benz
"Mercedes Benz" is a soulful a cappella track by Janis Joplin. The song satirizes materialism and consumer culture, using a luxury car as a symbol for desire and status. Her raw, powerful vocals and simple melody blend wit and longing in a timeless plea for satisfaction.
14. My Ol’ Bronco
"My Ol' Bronco" is a country song by Luke Bryan. The song is about nostalgia and reminiscing about the good old days. The old Bronco is a symbol of freedom, adventure, and simpler times. The song's lyrics and upbeat country rhythm evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia for those carefree days.
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15. Backseat Freestyle
"Backseat Freestyle" is a rap song performed by Kendrick Lamar. In the song, the backseat of a car serves as a metaphor for the artist's braggadocio dreams, ambition, and youthful swagger. The song captures the energy and intensity of pursuing success.
16. Fuel
"Fuel" is a heavy metal song by Metallica. Cars and racing are used in the song as metaphors for adrenaline, power, and uninhibited energy. The track, complete with its aggressive riffs and driving tempo, conveys the thrill of speed and power on the open road.
17. White Mustang
“White Mustang” is a brooding, contemplative track by Lana Del Rey. In the song, the image of a polished car serves as a metaphor for transient love, independence, and a nostalgic connection to a lost romance. The song features haunting vocals and ethereal production, creating a soundscape that evokes the push and pull of longing and loss on the open road.
18. Ride Wit Me
"Ride Wit Me" is a hip-hop song by Nelly featuring City Spud. The song is about cruising in style and having a good time. Cars are used as a metaphor for freedom, fun, and enjoying life with friends.
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19. Shut Up and Drive
"Shut Up and Drive" is an uptempo pop-rock song by Rihanna. It contains lyrical metaphors that deal with the theme of using driving and cars as analogies for passion, confidence, and control within a relationship. Enhanced by its catchy guitar riffs and powerful lyrics, it conveys the exhilaration and immediacy of pressing forward without any second-guessing.
20. Route 66
“Route 66” is a rock song by The Rolling Stones. The song is a tribute to the American highway of the same name, and it conjures images of traveling, adventure, and the freedom of the open road. With its upbeat tempo and lively lyrics, it captures the excitement and energy of life on the highway.
