Once again, we celebrate the last posting day of the month with Rule Of Sevens, in which I make a bunch of seven-item lists in an effort to wipe the slate of the past 30 or 31 days clean. Today’s first installment is inspired by a UK car insurance company’s rundown of great songs to drive around to, which is topped by the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” and somehow contains both Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero” (which I swear is completely “borrowed” wholesale on the new Hold Steady album) and Survivor’s “Eye Of The Tiger” (which seems more appropriate for stop-and-go traffic, but maybe that’s just me). With gas prices soaring and the general crumminess pervading the world at large, the need for escapist music during routine, yet increasingly expensive, trips to the grocery store is higher than ever, so this perpetual passenger (who always kicks in for fuel) brings you her seven picks for songs you should crank up on your own personal radio after the jump.
1. Janet Jackson, “When I Think Of You”
This would also make a great “first dance at a wedding” song. I’m just saying.
I put this on a “best of ‘07″ mix that became the official CD that I toted along on every car trip I took last year.
3. Queen, “I’m In Love With My Car”
Bonus points if you can find the Mother Love Bone version. Speaking of:
4. Mother Love Bone, “Chloe Dancer/Crown Of Thorns”
5. New Edition, “If It Isn’t Love”
That breakdown! I really need to get this on CD very soon.
6. Guns N’ Roses, “Paradise City”
Also on the insurance company’s list. Sometimes, the publicity-stunt-directed masses get it right.
elephant.co.uk Ultimate Driving Songs [elephant.co.uk via ONTD]
@JessaFields: Oh, hell yeah, on all 3 accounts.
I would put “Love is a Battlefield” on a driving mix too, but that’s me.
@Elijah-M: While I’ll disagree with the idea that the music suggested here is crappy, it’s true that the conversation so far is only representing one type of driving music. Singalongs are great - but honestly, are you singing or driving? Put on “Wonderful Rainbow” by Lightning Bolt and you will probably drive better.
I remember when I thought Paradise City was a good song. Objectively, it still is. However, I stopped being able to actually sit through a full playing of it somewhere around the 17,000,000,000,000,000,000,000th time I heard it.
@Audif Jackson Winters III: If liking Janet Jackson, New Edition and Mother Love Bone is a prerequisite for being fun to hang out with, you’ve probably got a point there. I am a bit of a dick. My mind REELS when I ponder the sheer volume of positive experiences this odd quirk has caused me to pass up over the course of my life.
I second Roadrunner by the Modern Lovers. Always the one I pick first for a driving song
When it comes to driving, or rather riding shotgun as I’m licenseless, and the Janet Jackson catalogue, I’d go with “Love Will Never Do Without You” or “Together Again.” Maybe even “Escapade.”
And I didn’t like A. Keys “Unbreakable” until it came in the car when I was riding around the A. Great sing-a-long song!
1. Roadrunner - Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers
2. Makes No Sense at All - Husker Du
3. Tush - ZZ Top
4. Honky’s Ladder - The Afghan Whigs
5. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
6. The Love You Save - The Jackson 5
7. Precision Auto - Superchunk
Honorable mention: The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston …because as much as I hate Whitney Houston, the absurdity of four or more people singing along to this song is irresistibly hilarious.
@Elijah-M: Great call re: The Afghan Whigs.
Ah man, maybe this is just because “Mr. Brightside” was big during my early driving years, but that has to be one of my top picks. Also you can’t beat “What You Know” by T.I. and “Sugar We’re Goin’ Down” by Fall Out Boy.
and i hate to say this, but i do enjoy a good drivin’ jam out to “semi-charmed life” by third eye blind.
“It’s A Sin!”
Also: this is a good time to say that the Hold Steady are so, so weak.
Thanks!
@Kate Richardson: The first Killers album came out when you were around 16? Christ, that makes me feel old.
I’ll put in a vote for Depeche Mode’s “Never Let Me Down Again” … the version on “101.”
@Audif Jackson Winters III:
+ Watch video
Is this list (and the ensuing comments) predicated on the fact that when one is alone in their car, they can listen to loud crappy music without fear of ridicule from roommates and/or family? Because wow. There is some horrible music in that list.
@Elijah-M: well, not everything can be pink floyd levels of awesome.
New Edition? Madonna? Janet Freakin’ Jackson? Wotta wussy list! None of these tunes really allow you to “crank up” the jams to a level necessary to provide high-octane, extra-mph to your individual transportation.
Might I instead suggest Ted Nugent’s “Hammerdown,” Boston’s “More Than A Feeling,” and, of course, the most glaring example missing from the above list, Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run.”
Let’s face facts, gang … The Killers or The Hold Steady notwithstanding, ’70s-era arena rock was custom-made to add addition horsepower to your (V-8 big block) ride.
Here’s some decent ones from the past:
1. Mr. Brownstone
2. Shoot Shoot - UFO
3. Footstompin Music - Grand Funk
4. Highway Star (Naturally)
5. Skip Steps 1 & 3 - Superchunk
6. New Day Rising - Husker Du
7. Ironhead - Helmet
8. Kerosene - Big Black
9. Territory - Sepultura
10. Everybody Wants You - Billy Squier
/yeah, I’m weird
“Run to the Hills” by Iron Maiden
@Maura Johnston: Be that as it may, the New Edition, Janet Jackson and Mother Love Bone tracks you mentioned aren’t even Richard Wright solo album levels of awesome.
@Rev.Keith: Big block V8s, Nugent & Boston: overrated. AWD rally-bred Japanese sports cars, “When I Think of You” and “Paradise City” (the inclusion of which means this is automatically a completely non-wuss list, New Edition notwithstanding): hells yes.
What I drove to today…
you can make your own list:
1. Texarkana–Rem
2. Something so strong–Crowded House
3. Since u been gone–Kelly Clarkson
4. Where the streets have no name–U2
5. Alive and Kicking–Simple Minds
6. Slow ride–Foghat
7. Anyway you want it–Journey (not that i condone this, but quite effective a tad tipsy with all of your bestest friends around the holidays)
8. Freedom 90–George Michael
or just go with top gear’s choices: [www.cduniverse.com]
7.Sweet “Hellraiser”
6.Alice Cooper “Elected”
5.Chicago “Alive Again”
4.Black Sabbath “Looking For Today”
3.DJ Quik “Summer Breeze”
2.Gary Numan “Cars”
1.E.L.O. “I’m Alive”
here is one song i forgot:
The right answer is “Roadrunner” by the Modern Lovers.
Some other good ones: “Black Dog”, and on the more kitschy side, “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “I Ran.”
Also, spot on about “Paradise City” and “Eye of the Tiger” being a stop-and-go traffic thing.
@bedpan: I see where you’re coming from. Catchiest song about crystal meth, EVER!
From what I can remember, last summer’s “Driving” playlist included:
R. Kelly — I’m a Flirt
R. Kelly — Ignition (Remix)
Mighty Mighty Bosstones — You & Me & a Bottle Make Three Tonight
Von Bondies — C’mon, C’mon
Blur — Song 2
Outkast — Bombs over Bagdad
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince — Summertime
Let me duck before this last one
Fall Out Boy — Its not a scene, it an arms race
Yes, Pete’s a tool, but its a catchy song. What do you want from me? I’m only human.
@Elijah-M: Wow, I bet you’re fun to hang out with.
@Rev.Keith: “Born to Run” really is the best, although someone in another car once caught me rocking out and playing fake saxophone during Clarence Clemons’ solo. It was quite embarrassing.
“Beat It” and “Personal Jesus” are good driving songs.
@mackro: If it’s going to be ELO, “Hold on Tight” is a better choice. Or anything from the “Time” album. God, what an excellent plastic synth opera!
I’ve been enjoying Dokken’s “Under Lock and Key,” lately, in the car. Nothing like punishing the kids with “Till the Livin’ End…”
@SmedIndy: I want to ride in YOUR car.