For many drivers, listening to music can make getting from point A to point B a lot more enjoyable.
Besides helping you fight anxiety, boredom or stress, music can be your best companion during high-traffic situations or long excursions.
Today, the evolution of infotainment systems in modern cars has made it easier than ever to listen to a near-infinite number of songs. But if you need a playlist for a fun day trip, lengthy road trip or simply want to make your commute easier, check out our picks for the best songs about cars and driving.
Songs from the 1950s
From Cadillacs and Lincolns to a little Nash Rambler, the 1950s was a great decade for songs about cars and driving.
1. “Hot Rod Race” by Arkie Shibley and His Mountain Dew Boys
Album: Hot Rod Race
Year: 1950
Multiple versions of this song were produced during the ’50s, by the same group and others.
2. “See The U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet” by Dinah Shore
Album: See The U.S.A. In Your Chevrolet
Year: 1950
3. “Riding in my car (Car Song)” by Woody Guthrie
Album: Songs to Grow on, Volume One: Nursery Days
Year: 1951
4. “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats/ Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm
Album: Come Back Where You Belong – B-Side
Year: 1951
5. “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Charlie Ryan
Album: Hot Rod Lincoln
Year: 1955
Many artists would cover this song, but the most popular version is arguably “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.
6. “Maybellene” by Chuck Berry
Album: Chuck Berry is on Top
Year: 1955
Chuck Berry also released “No Particular Place to Go” on his 1964 album, St. Louis To Liverpool.
7. “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66,” by Nat King Cole
Album: After Midnight: The Complete Session
Year: 1956
8. “Beep Beep (The Little Nash Rambler)” by The Playmates
Album: Your Love – B-Side
Year: 1958
9. “Brand New Cadillac” by Vince Taylor & His Playboys
Album: Pledgin’ My Love
Year: 1959
10. “Somethin’ Else” by Eddie Cochran
Album: Somethin’ Else/Boll Weevil Song
Year: 1959
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The 1960s produced a plethora of songs about cars and driving, from artists like The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Bob Dylan.
11. “Road Runner” by Bo Diddley
Album: Bo Diddley in the Spotlight
Year: 1960
12. “409” by The Beach Boys
Album: Surfin’ Safari
Year: 1962
The Beach Boys clearly loved cruising, because the group also released “I Get Around,” “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “Little Deuce Coupe” in the 60s.
13. “Drag City” by Jan and Dean
Album: Drag City
Year: 1963
This album also featured “Dead Man’s Curve” and “I Gotta Drive.”
14. “Hey Little Cobra” by The Rip Chords
Album: Hey Little Cobra
Year: 1964
15. “G.T.O.” by Ronny & The Daytonas
Album: G.T.O.
Year: 1964
16. “Drive My Car” by The Beatles
Album: Rubber Soul
Year: 1965
17. “Highway 61 Revisited” by Bob Dylan
Album: Highway 61 Revisited
Year: 1965
18. “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett
Album: The Wicked Pickett
Year: 1966
This song was originally written and released by Sir Mack Rice and would see several covers, but we like Pickett’s.
19. “Expressway to Your Heart” by The Soul Survivors
Album: When the Whistle Blows Anything Goes
Year: 1967
20. “Moonlight Drive” by The Doors
Album: Strange Days
Year: 1967
21. “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf
Album: Steppenwolf
Year: 1968
22. “Drivin’” by The Kinks
Album: Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
Year: 1969
The Kinks also released “Somebody Stole My Car” on their 1993 album called Phobia.
23. “Driving Song” by Jethro Tull
Album: Stand Up
Year: 1969
Songs from the 1970s
During the 1970s, driving songs would emerge from a variety of artists and genres, from rock bands like AC/DC and Queen to singer-songwriters John Denver and Jerry Reed.
24. “Truckin’” by The Grateful Dead
Album: American Beauty
Year: 1970
25. “Going Mobile” by The Who
Album: Who’s Next
Year: 1971
26. “Henry” by New Riders of the Purple Sage
Album: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Year: 1971
27. “Jeepster” by T. Rex
Album: Electric Warrior
Year: 1971
28. “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin
Album: Pearl
Year: 1971
This song would be Joplin’s last recording before her untimely passing.
29. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
Album: Poems, Prayers and Promises
Year: 1971
30. “Drivin’ Around” by Raspberries
Album: Fresh
Year: 1972
31. “Highway Star” by Deep Purple
Album: Machine Head
Year: 1972
32. “Rockin’ Down the Highway” by The Doobie Brothers
Album: Toulouse Street
Year: 1972
33. “Chevy Van” by Sammy Johns
Album: Sammy Johns
Year: 1973
Sammy Kershaw would release a cover of “Chevy Van” in 1996.
34. “Keep on Truckin’” by Eddie Kendricks
Album: Eddie Kendricks
Year: 1973
35. “Lord, Mr. Ford” by Jerry Reed
Album: Lord, Mr. Ford
Year: 1973
36. “Ol’ 55” by Tom Waits
Album: Closing Time
Year: 1973
37. “Radar Love” by Golden Earring
Album: Moontan
Year: 1973
38. “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
Album: Born to Run
Year: 1975
Springsteen would also sing “Pink Cadillac,” “Racing in the Street” and “Ramrod.”
39. “Convoy” by C.W. McCall
Album: Black Bear Road
Year: 1975
This song was also covered by Paul Brandt.
40. “Freeway Jam” by Jeff Beck
Album: Blow By Blow
Year: 1975
“Freeway Jam” makes an interesting driving song because it’s completely instrumental.
41. “I’m in Love With My Car” by Queen
Album: A Night at the Opera
Year: 1975
42. “Low Rider” by War
Album: Why Can’t We Be Friends?
Year: 1975
Some may recognize this song as the theme of television sitcom “George Lopez.”
43. “Slow Ride” by Foghat
Album: Fool for the City
Year: 1975
44. “Long May You Run” by Neil Young
Album: Long May You Run
Year: 1976
45. “Mercury Blues” by Steve Miller Band
Album: Fly Like an Eagle
Year: 1976
This song was originally called “Mercury Boogie” when it was first recorded in 1948.
46. “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers
Album: The Modern Lovers
Year: 1976
47. “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop
Album: Lust for Life
Year: 1977
48. “Driver’s Seat” by Sniff ‘n the Tears
Album: Fickle Heart
Year: 1978
49. “Greased Lightnin’” by John Travolta
Album: Grease: The Original Soundtrack
Year: 1978
50. “Cars” by Gary Numan
Album: The Pleasure Principle
Year: 1979
51. “Cruisin’” by Smokey Robinson
Album: Where There’s Smoke…
Year: 1979
52. “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC
Album: Highway to Hell
Year: 1979
53. “Trans Am (Highway Wonderland)” by Sammy Hagar
Album: Street Machine
Year: 1979
Sammy Hagar would also have “I Can’t Drive 55” on his 1984 album, Voa.
Songs from the 1980s
The 1980s saw a rise in the number of female artists singing about cars and driving.
54. “Driving My Life Away” by Eddie Rabbitt
Album: Horizon
Year: 1980
55. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
Album: Honeysuckle Road
Year: 1980
56. “Sausalito Summernight” by Diesel
Album: Watts in a Tank
Year: 1980
57. “Red Barchetta” by Rush
Album: Moving Pictures
Year: 1981
58. “Skidmarks On My Heart” by The Go-Go’s
Album: Beauty And The Beast
Year: 1981
The Go-Go’s also recoded “Stuck in My Car” from their 2005 album God Bless the Go-Go’s.
59. “Little Red Corvette” by Prince
Album: 1999
Year: 1982
60. “Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham
Album: National Lampoon’s Vacation Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Year: 1983
61. “Keep Driving” by Meat Loaf
Album: Midnight at the Lost and Found
Year: 1983
There’s also Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” and “Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are.”
62. “Drive” by The Cars
Album: Heartbeat City
Year: 1984
63. “Freeway of Love” by Aretha Franklin
Album: Who’s Zoomin’ Who?
Year: 1985
64. “The One I Loved Back Then (The Corvette Song)” by George Jones
Album: Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes
Year: 1985
65. “Road to Nowhere” by Talking Heads
Album: Little Creatures
Year: 1985
66. “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins
Album: Top Gun
Year: 1986
67. Sweet Little ’66 by Steve Earle & The Dukes
Album: Exit 0
Year: 1987
68. “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2
Album: The Joshua Tree
Year: 1987
69. “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
Album: Tracy Chapman
Year: 1988
70. “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car” by Billy Ocean
Album: Tear Down These Walls
Year: 1988
71. “I Drove All Night” by Cyndi Lauper
Album: A Night to Remember
Year: 1989
72. “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Album: Full Moon Fever
Year: 1989
73. “You Can Sleep While I Drive” by Melissa Etheridge
Album: Brave and Crazy
Year: 1989
Songs from the 1990s
Driving songs from the 1990s seemed to feature the act of driving/traveling more than actual automobiles.
74. “Black Sunshine” by White Zombie ft. Iggy Pop
Album: La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Vol. 1
Year: 1992
75. “Contact” by Phish
Album: Junta
Year: 1992
76. “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane
Album: Mad Mad World
Year: 1992
For a more modern version, see Rascal Flatts’ 2006 cover.
77. “The Car” by Jeff Carson
Album: Jeff Carson
Year: 1995
78. “Everyday is a Winding Road” by Sheryl Crow
Album: Sheryl Crow
Year: 1996
79. “I’d Rather Ride Around with You” by Reba McEntire
Album: What If It’s You
Year: 1996
80. “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash
Album: American II: Unchained
Year: 1996
Though it’s not the first version of this song, Cash’s is our favorite.
81. “Stickshifts and Safetybelts” by Cake
Album: Fashion Nugget
Year: 1996
This album also features “The Distance” and “Race Car Ya-Yas.”
82. “455 Rocket” by Kathy Mattea
Album: Love Travels
Year: 1997
83. “Hot Rod Heart” by John Fogerty
Album: Blue Moon Swamp
Year: 1997
84. “Open Road Song” by Eve 6
Album: Eve 6
Year: 1998
Songs from the 2000/2010s
The start of a new century, the 2000s and 20010s would see many songs about cars and driving coming from the country genre.
85. “Drive (for Daddy Gene)” by Alan Jackson
Album: Drive
Year: 2002
Jackson also has a song called “The Talkin’ Song Repair Blues.”
86. “In My Car (I’ll Be the Driver)” by Shania Twain
Album: Up!
Year: 2002
Twain also sings “You Win My Love,” which mentions a ’55 Chevy, fancy little pick-up truck and cool Cadillac.
87. “The Golden Age” by Beck
Album: Sea Change
Year: 2002
88. “Leave the Driving” by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Album: Greendale
Year: 2003
Neil Young and Crazy Horse also did “Sedan Delivery.”
89. “Daddy’s Cup” by Drive-By Truckers
Album: The Dirty South
Year: 2004
90. “All I Wanted Was A Car” by Brad Paisley
Album: 5th Gear
Year: 2007
91. “Camaro” by Kings of Leon
Album: Because Of The Times
Year: 2007
92. “Keep the Car Running” by Arcade Fire
Album: Neon Bible
Year: 2007
93. “Highway 20 Ride” by Zac Brown Band
Album: The Foundation
Year: 2008
94. “Shut Up and Drive” by Rihanna
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
Year: 2008
95. “Red Camaro” by Rascal Flatts
Album: Nothing Like This
Year: 2010
96. “Crown Victoria” by The Presidents of the United States of America
Album: Kudos to You!
Year: 2014
The group also has a song called “Mach 5.”
97. “My Ol’ Bronco” by Luke Bryan
Album: Spring Break…Checkin’ Out
Year: 2015
98. “Getaway Car” by Taylor Swift
Album: reputation
Year: 2017
99. “That Old Truck” by Thomas Rhett
Album: Center Point Road
Year: 2019
100. “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo
Year: 2021
This debut single quickly hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It has since gone on to break records across streaming services.
Stay Safe
Don’t let music become a distraction. Prepare your playlist ahead of time and make sure the volume doesn’t get too high in the car so you can stay focused on driving and keep your eyes on the road.
Listen to these songs anywhere with our Spotify playlist.
Did we forget to add any of your favorite songs about cars and driving? Tell us in the comments!
This article has been edited and expanded to include suggestions from our members.
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224 Thoughts on “100 Greatest Songs About Cars and Driving”
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Youi missed one of my favorites from the 60’s…The Little Old Lady fro Pasadena
From the 1970s, you forgot, “(I Live For) Cars And Girls), by The Dictators.
Trampled Under Foot-Led Zepplin off of Physical Graffiti & Highway Star-Deep Purple off of Machine Head are 2 glaring omissions.
How can you leave off the greatest driving song of all time….Classical Gas by Mason Williams?
Sweet Baby James (James Taylor) sings about the drive from Stockbridge to Boston
🔘 John Scofield – The Boss’s Car
Mercedes Boy by Pebbles circa 1988 was a cool song too!
The Grateful Dead – So Many Roads
The Eagles – Hotel California!
The Eagles – Take it easy, don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy…
The Eagles – Life in the fast lane
The Beatles – The long and winding road
Terror of Highway 101
Leader of the
Hey Little Honda
Thank you Dennis for Terror of Highway 101…from 1950’s, I still remember the lyrics. What a great memory trip for this 82 year old!
You left out the best one of all: “Transfusion” (1956) by Nervous Norvus (Jimmy Drake). “Choolin down the highway doin’ 79, / I’m a twin-pipin’ papa and I’m feelin’ fine, / Hey, man, dig that, was that a red Stop sign?” / (Crashing sound effects) “Transfusion, transfusion, / I’m just a solid mess of contusions, / Never, never, never gonna speed again — / Slip the blood to me, Bud!” (etc.)
Did I miss “Vehicle” by the Ides of March on the list? Great song about a car and driving.
Great list! I would have included My Mighty GTO, 1964 by Jan and Dean. Flip side of The Little Old Lady From Pasadena. Also, Rusty Chevrolet, 1987 by Da Yoppers. Keep those great articles coming!
no charli xcx? no vroom vroom/ white mercedes/ speed drive? bad list.
Also by Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Chevrolet
And The Clash did a fine version of Brand New Cadillac.
How could you leave off NRBQ’s “Driving in My car!”….? Should be in the top 10!
Agreed!
Ok you mentioned a few by Meat Loaf, but Paradise by the Dashboard Light was left out. Ok maybe not about driving per se, but still about cars.
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road – Lucinda Williams released on June 30, 1998, by Mercury Records
Great pick!
Would have included performer Mungo Jerry’s often-played on radio: In the Summertime
with lyrics “In the summertime, when the weather is fine you can stretch right up and touch the sky”…
…”take a drive…” “all go into town…” (with car motor noise in background).
Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad. Grateful Dead
Thunder Road Robert Michum 1958…Best road song of the 50s
My favorite is Warm Leather the by the Normal. It’s what punk should’ve been.
Another great road song from the 60’s era is “Crosstown Traffic” (1968) by Jimi Hendrix from the LP, “Electric Ladyland”.
Sorry, spell check fail: Warm Leatherette is the car song I wanted to add.
I don’t see Dick Dale & His Del-Tones (The Scavenger) And geez Louise where’s Radar Love
Autobahn by Kraftwerk.
I’m not sure if anyone mentioned “Ventura Highway”, how the heck was that missed?
Then there’s the lack of the many different genres of music in the 90s, 00s 10s. I know there has to be more/some rap, r&b, alternative, pop, death metal etc songs.
Shame, shame, shame for such a lacking list! ESPECIALLY, FOR FORGETTING “VENTURA HIGHWAY”!!!
runnin’ down a dream Tom Petty
trampled under foot Led Zeppelin
2 more good ones to add to the list
Where’s “Little GTO”? (The B side, “Hot Rod Baby” wasn’t bad either.) Volkswagen even used it in a commercial: “Kleine GTI.”
Route 66 by Depeche Mode
“Highway 40 blues” captures the heartache of thinking the open road will solve your problems.
On the other hand, Woody;s “This land is your land, thid land isd my land” has a great line about an insiring ribbon of highway!
“Carefree Highway” by Gordon Lightfoot (“Carefree highway, let me slip away on you…”)
“Hey Jealousy” by The Gin Blossoms (“Tomorrow we can drive around this town, and let the cops chase us around…”)
“Sweet Surrender” by John Denver (“Lost and alone on some forgotten highway, travelled by many, remembered by few…”)
“America” by Simon and Garfunkel (“Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike, they’ve all come to look for America…”)
(sorry my comment is really long, I can think of a million more, because taking a long drive and getting lost is my favorite!)
You forgot “Let it Roll (Down the Highway) by Bachmann Turner Overdrive.
“Ridin’ in my car” by NRBQ
Pink cadillac
Just noticed that “Greased Lightnin’” did make the list… 🙂
Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy) by Jim Croce and Greased Lightnin’ from the movie Grease.
You left out the song I can’t drive 55
They mentioned it under another song by Sammy Hagar
“Roadhouse Blues”by The Doors!!!
Going Up the Country by Canned Heat
We play it every time we drive “up the county”
Get in my car by the Bronchos
FUEL by MetallicA
Songs to be considered
Hot Rod Lincoln: Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen did a better cover.
Rapid Roy: Jim Croce
East Bound and Down: Jerry Reed
Little Deuce Coupe Beach Boys
99 Miles from LA: Art Garfunkel
I would have put Eastbound and Down at the top of the list.
Great list, so many amazing songs; however it’s missing my absolute favorite song about Cars & driving: Jesus built my Hot Rod by Ministry (1992) Album Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs. Eventually covered by Burn the Priest (2019 single) & was amazing in the fact that they did an exact replica of the sound.
You .left out the one I like best, “Little Old Lady From Pasadina”.
Please include some Billy Joel tunes: Movin’ Out (he’s tradin’ in his Chevy for a Cadillac-ac-ac-ac), Zanzibar (I got my old man’s car), You May be Right (rode my motorcycle in the rain), and It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me (what’s the matter with the car I’m driving), and all these tunes have such great energy for driving.
I know it is hard to narrow this list down to 100.
You listed “409” but how could you forget these two classic great ones by the Beach Boys:
Shutdown
Little Deuce Coupe
Great list and comments. Did I miss “Pink Cadillac” by Bruce Springsteen and The Pointer Sisters? Also, great catch on NRBQ. “”Ridin’ in My Car” is one of my all-time favorites.
Meat Loaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights” is my personal favorite, but the car doesn’t move much…
Jan and Dean’s “Little Old Lady from Pasadena”; Beach Boys’ ” Little Deuce Coupe”, Ronnie and the Daytonas” “Little Cobra”
You can’t catch me by the blues project and the rolling stones
great song! but for me, it doesn’t get better than Chuck Berry’s original
Booker T & the MG’s had several “songs to drive by” including “Green Onions” used in the movie American Graffiti during the drag race at the end of the movie.
How do Little Deuce Coupe and Pink Cadillac not make the list.
The perfect song to show how much Americans love their cars is “Shut Down” by the Beach Boys (1963). The lyrics are a gearhead’s dream. Just lovin’ their machine –
“Tach it up, tach it up
Buddy, gonna shut you down”
and
“To get the traction I’m ridin’ the clutch
My pressure plate’s burnin’, that machine’s too much”
And what about the 1950s “hit” Transfusion by Nervous Norvus?
I’d like to enter these for the 90’s category:
Superchunk – “Precision Auto”
Primus – “Jerry was a Race Car Driver”
Elastica – “Car Song”
Swervedriver – “Son of Mustang Ford”
Built to Spill – “Car”
White Stripes – “The big three killed my baby”
and this one for the 80’s
The Primatives – Crash
The Traveling Wilburys – End Of The Line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMVjToYOjbM
Supergroup on a train, perhaps a close cousin to driving.
PANAMA -VAN HALEN
REV ON THE RED LINE -FOREIGNER
My first thought was Pink Cadillac.
MAN!!…the Eagles: “Hotel California”, “Seven Bridges Road”, “Life In The Fast Lane”. All on one album.
YOU CAN’T LEAVE OUT “CRUISIN IN MY AUTOMOBILE” BY JEFFERSON AIRPLANE (OR STARSHIP). WHEN I HEAR THAT WHILE I’M DRIVING, I’M DOING 80 BEFORE I KNOW IT.
How could you possibly leave out “Transfusion” by Nervous Norvus (1956): “Tooling down the highway doing 79, / I’m a twin-pipe papa and I’m feelin’ fine, / Hey man, dig that, was that a red stop sign? // EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECRASH!!! // Transfusion, transfusion, / I’m just a solid mess of contusions, / Never never never gonna speed again, / Slip the blood to me, Bud!” (Full lyrics and the Dot recording are readily available on the internet.)
I entered Transfusion before I read your comments. One of the lesser known but great ones. Love it.
One of my personal favorites is David Wilcox’ “Rusty old American dream”.
My brother was a huge Heavy metal 50s’ car fan who also “rolled off the line” in 58’ so I always had a soft spot for that one.
Tracy Chapman “YOU GOTTA FAST CAR” …. maybe next time
Hi Gary, great song! We placed it No. 69, check it out above.
What about Bill Morrissey’s car and driver song? It’s very funny.
What about the instrumental “Stick Shift” by The Duals???
Some omissions:
“NSU” by Cream (first album, “Fresh Cream,” 1967); first verse begins “Driving in my car, … ).
Bruce: “Jungleland” (“Born To Run,” 1975) (“The Magic Rat drove his sleek machine over the Jersey state line … “); “Drive All Night” (originally from “The River,” 1980); “Highway Patrolman” (“Nebraska,” 1982); Light Of Day,” not sure where it originally appeared on a studio album, but a concert staple for over 30 years). All supreme masterpieces. And let’s not forget “Gypsy Biker” (“Magic,” 2005).
All I could remember. Probably overlooked a couple from his enormous catalog.
Two notable omissions that I have yet to see mentioned in the comments:
Little Old Lady from Pasadena
Movin’ Right Along, from the Muppet Movie. Possibly the primary inspiration for a life of road tripping across America.
May I suggest “Piece of $#!+ Car” by Adam Sandler?
What about “American Pie”? …. drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry…
I see The Doors received recognition, however, Lest we forget “Roadhouse Blues”. I live driving and playing this song!!
great song! can’t believe we missed this one! Though moonlight drive is hard to resist …
“Autobahn” by Kraftwerk.
“2-4-6-8 Motorway” by The Tom Robinson Band.
“Fast Cars” U2
“Ghost of Highway 20” Lucinda Williams
“Behind the Wheel” Depeche Mode (especially the remix with “Behind the Wheel” and “Route 66” mixed)
“Traveling Alone” Jason Isbell
“Joy Ride” The Killers
From 1956 “Transfusion” by Nervous Norvis
“Drive (for Daddy Gene)” by Alan Jackson reminds me of my childhood because my uncle was a race car driver in Watkins Glen and if the weather was right he would take me with him. Parents NOT INCLUDED for good reason! He had the guys in his pit crew modify a small car, I can’t remember which one, anyway I would drive it around the track (I was 7, 8, and 9; then we moved away). It only did 35 and it was always when the track was empty with no one but me, him and the pit crew. It reminds me of those days, the guys would cheer me on and say “Go Sandy Go”. I thought it was fun. On the other side though is “CONVOY” for good reason. My brother knew very early on what he wanted to do with his life and he is doing it. My brother drives Tractor Trailer for UPS out of Maine but that is only half the story. He was the youngest driver to ever get a CDL before the age of 21 and drove teams until he turned 21 but he would always call home and say “I drove Convoy again today.” He seemed to be the safest driver and when he & his partner would pull up to a truck stop with about 30 or 40 other truckers in the truck stop the guys would always insist that he and his partner go first then they would follow. His given handle after 1 month on the road was “CONVOY LEADER”. When truckers would hear that they knew he was at the wheel. He decided on his career at the age of 4 when he & I were out and he pointed at a rig in the middle of a snow storm and said to me “SISSY LOOK FRUCK; SISSY LOOK FRUCK; SISSY I WANT FRUCK; then he proceeded to make rig noises. Oh I forgot to mention that the rig was in the middle of a busy intersection and so was he pointing at the FRUCK. Luckily the driver stopped when he saw my brother and all I had in my hand was a mitten. The rest of the clothing was in the middle of the intersection pointing at the FRUCK. I still tease him about it now and then.
two trucks by lemon demon should be on this list
Not sure if I saw Green Onions, by Booker T & The MG’s on your list. It was used in several movies, including the preamble to the final race scene in American Graffiti.
In reviewing the list, did I miss Transfusion by Nervous Norvis, or did you?
Also left off, from Bruce: “Drive All Night,” from “The River” album (1980) (and live, all the many decades since). The greatest love song ever written that’s also a car song.
It’s amazing how many songs on this list have NOTHING to do with cars!
There’s so many from the 60; you left off. Dead Mans Curve -Little Duce Coupe-409-Little Old Lady from Pasadena. Just a start !
Roll on down the Highway -BTO
Little Deuce Coupe -Beach Boys
Racing In The Streets-Springsteen
Freeway of Love-Aretha Franklin
Cadillac Ranch-Springs ten
Where oh Where can My Baby Be Cavaliers /Pearl Jam
“One Big Rush” by Joe Satriani has no lyrics but it is without a doubt A DRIVING SONG! I dare you to crank it to the max and keep your foot out of the pedal!!! CAN’T BE DONE!!
“Riders on the Storm”, by The Doors? C’mon, man…
Come on guys,
Dangerous – the Doobie Brothers!
Race Car Yaya’s – Cake
Purple Lamborghini – Rick Ross
Kickstart my Heart – Motley Crue
Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
Let Sally Drive – Sammy Hagar
Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy) – Jim Croce
Roll On Down The Highway – Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Highway to Hell – AC/DC
Detroit Rock City – Kiss
Little Old Lady From Pasadena – Sam & Dean
Four Wheels – 38 Special
Thanks Bill, we may now have to expand this into 150 Greatest Songs! We did get Tracy Chapmen’s song on the list, as well as ACDC, and mention Cake and Hagar, but we sure did miss a few. Appreciate the thoughtful input.
Magic Bus by the Who
Big Joe and phantom 309 covered by tom waits
tell laura I love her
There are a lot of lachrymos 1950’s songs about death and driving. (and pretty much everything else!) The leader of the pack, for example.
The Dictators — (I Live for) Cars and Girls
Ricky Lee Jones’ “Last Chance Texaco” has automotive references in EVERY line of her lyrics! And is a piece of exquisite, haunting beauty… Should be at the top of any list of “car songs”
You need to read the lyrics who is Rodger Miller’s iconic King of the Road. It’s about a railroad Drifter or hobo. If you listen beyond the first verse you figure that out.
Detriot Rock City by KISS. Classic driving song!
Easy Rider – Charlie Daniels Band and East Bound and Down – Jerry Reed and Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
Shut Down by the Beach Boys (1963), No Particular Place To Go by Chuck Berry (1964) and Big Ol’ Truck by Toby Keith (1995) should all be listed in the Top 100. Why wasn’t the 50’s listed on the voting pannel?
Everything But The Girl – Drivin
My Old Yellow Car by Dan Seals, Red Dirt Road by Brooks and Dunn, Deuce Coupe, Shut Down , by The Beach Boys, Dead Man’s Curve by Jan and Dean.
Take my license, all that jive. I CAN’T DRIVE 55! Who can’t relate to that. Saw Sammy and his band The Circle perform this on their 2019 tour. Great song and Sammy still has the pipes to belt it out!
“99 Miles From L.A.” by Johnny Mathis is a candidate for this list! I was humming some of the songs in my head as I read through them all.
Riding with Private Andrew Malone by David Ball
Car wheels, on a gravel road, Lucid Williams
Here’s a few more from the 60s, 70s, and 80s: “Cherry Cherry Coupe” by the Beach Boys; “Drivin’ Music” by the Rubinoos; “Makin Thunderbirds” by Bob Seger, and “Cadillac Ranch” by Bruce Springsteen (especially great live!).
I love this article. I have to comment though. Alan Jackson did a far better remake of Mercury Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPZoXItyL4E), which should have been included. Also, not sure the Roger Miller’s King of the Road (also remade by Randy Travis) was about driving – seemed more like trains (boxcar). My other suggestions – Backroads by Ricky Van Shelton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUpU70s-Cgc); Reno Bound (Pink Cadillac movie) by Southern Pacific (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ktEYvzRqQ).
And Eastbound and Down by Jerry Reed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_sB6gFenUg) from Smokey and the Bandit. Who can forget that one?
Sorry you didn’t include the 50s in the voting choice. I would have voted for that decade, hands down.
Mercury Blues / KC Douglas (which I only discovered recently thanks to Tom Petty’s Buried Treasure show).
How about Shirley by L7? (1994, off the album Hungry For Stink.)
The Partridge Family…” C’mon get Happy” 2nd verse, We had a dream we’d go traveling together, we’d spread a little lovin then we’d keep moving on. Somethings always happens whenever we’re together, We get a happy feeling when we’re singing this song…. (Early 1970’s, ) This was a hit with the kids!
Gear jammer George Thorogood
Highway to Hell AC/DC
Driving With Private Malone
How about Johnny Cash’s “One Piece at a Time.”
This is a GREAT SELECTION OF DRIVING SONGS / Each decade represents a time in a person’s life that is remembered by song / Playing the radio and listening to a song was always a treat when driving / noones knows what they ate for breakfast but mention a song and they will tell you what kind of car they had / the person they were with / the job they had and the city and state they lived in.
King of the Road by Willie Nelson
Nothin but the Wheel, Peter Wolf with harmony by Mick Jagger
The Return of the Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons with Emmy Lou Harris
You left out my favorite driving song, “Cruisin” by Jefferson Starship. Every time that comes on I find myself going about 85 mph before I know it.
How could you not have Autobaun by Kraftwerk????
FINALLY —someone mentions the best driving song of all time when you are cruising down an interstate late at night seemingly frozen in time!
‘FIRE’, performed either by, Springsteen or The Pointer Sisters
I agree with those who wrote about all the Eagles’ driving songs, “Rockin’ Down the Highway” by the Doobies, and “Runnin’ on Empty” by Jackson Browne. But there’s also “Drive By” by Train.
Silver Thunderbird my Marc Cohn! another classic!
You left out “Im my Car” by Joe Walsh. A classic!
Shutdown, 409, little duece coope.
Ramrod by Bruce Springsteen is also good.
On The Road Again by Canned Heat and King of the Highway by Chris Isaak
my humble contribution (too much time on my hands) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ppqGSkSreLiRtwyb4Tuq6?si=PRvQ1ytgSzeHb8Rm4j70fQ
A couple of great ones to add Ballad Of Ol’ Betsy, Don’t Worry Baby, In My Car, Still Cruisin’ (all by the Beach Boys), PT Cruiser and Drivin’ (Al Jardine), Lets Go To Heaven In My Car(Brian Wilson)
Did I miss this? George Strait: I Got a Car
A great suggestion, thanks for that!
I enjoyed being reminded of the songs on your list that I know—and being introduced to those that I didn’t (assuming I check them out). I’m surprised that no one mentioned a song from 1977 that was a road trip must: “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne from the album “Running on Empty.”
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels
Looking back at the years gone by like so many summer fields
’65, I was 17 and running up 101
I don’t know where I’m running now, I’m just running on
Running on, running on empty
Running on, running blind
Running on, running into the sun
But I’m running behind
Another great suggestion that we missed, thanks for putting it on our radar!
Absolutely. The entire album is based on being on the road. “Running on Empty” — “Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels…” Also “The Road” and “The Load-Out”
Car, car – Peter, Paul & Mary – early 60’s
Great suggestion! You’d think a song with the word ‘car’ in the title twice would’ve made the list. We’re going to kick the tires and give that song a spin today
Car Car by Peter, Paul & Mary came to my mind right away. Was going to mention it. You beat me to it. Thanks!!
Boys of Summer – Don Henley 1984
Thanks for the suggestion Robert! I haven’t seen too many deadhead stickers on Cadillacs lately, but the song holds up!
Invalid without songs by ZZ Top
How about the Eagles?
Take it Easy (don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy…)
Hotel California
Life in the Fast Lane
Ah, Life in the Fast Lane was another blind spot for us, a great song. Thanks for the suggestions!
The Shania Twain selection is nice, but her song “You Win My Love” from 1996 is also car-themed and (IMHO) better.
Thanks for the advice! Now I’m thinking maybe we should swap those two songs. We’ll have to give each another listen …
“She Loves My Car,” Ronnie Milsap
Thanks for putting Ronnie on our radar, we may have to do a “150 Songs” list next!
David Wilcox has great songs about cars and motorcycles. Rusty Old American Dream or Eye of the Hurricane, or Saturday They’ll All Be Back Again.
Thanks for the suggestions! Believe it or not, it was difficult to include ‘only 100 songs and admittedly, I’m thinking folk music was a bit under-represented here. Great suggestions!
They left off my favorite: the novelty song Transfusion by Nervous Norvus (1956). It’s anti-speeding message is right up AAA’s alley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8pXrmobUZk
Thanks for making us aware of this great song! You’re right, it’s right up our alley, so to speak.
Rollin’ Down The Highway – Bachman Turner Overdrive…
nice suggestion and sorry we missed it, I guess we were too busy taking care of business …
How about In My Merry Oldsmobile? Old song. Probably from the 1940s. Bing Crosby sang it.
wow, that’s a deep cut, thanks for the suggestion. Our knowledge of 1940s music is unfortunately limited …
What about Fun Fun Fun by The Beach Boys?
Another great suggestion! We included “409”and given how many songs they wrote about cars in their first few years of existence, we didn’t want to let the Beach Boys dominate the list, to give everyone else a chance.
“Chevy Van” by Sammy Johns
“Expressway to Your Heart” by The Soul Survivors. Great Gamble and Huff tune.
“Freeway Jam” by Jeff Beck
Nice list and excellent additions. Why not just do a “100 Greatest Songs About Cars and Driving”?
I’d like to toss in two songs by the Hollies… “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” and “Long Dark Road”
A big favorite of mine is “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop, 1977
I stay under glass! Awesome song, we’ll have to include that in our next Songs article
Maybe I’m giving away my age. How about Ike Turner, Rocket 88 ?
Highway 61 – Bob Dylan
Wow, how could we forget that one! Great addition!
Mustang Sally — HANDS DOWN!!! One of my Forever Favorite songs, let alone driving song!!! Nancy Kruger
edit that zombie song from thunderkiss ’65 to black sunshine, ’65 wasn’t the mustang car year , oops
Red Barchetta by Rush appears to be missing . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIZ73q9M-Gk
the first driving song that came to mind was red barchetta by rush and then jesus built my hot rod by ministry and then thunderkiss ’65 , dragula by white zombie respectively, but i’ll get there eventually.
> “Jesus Built My Hot Rod” by Ministry” < YES – came here to see if it made the list.
Also, "Vessel" by NIN and Grace Jones' "Warm Leatherette"; but then, I'm surprised many of these (eg "Highway to Hell") made it on here.
Thanks Steve, great suggestions, and we here at AAA Northeast aim to defy expectations!
Two GREAT Tom Petty driving songs:
American Girl
and
Running Down A Dream.
Yes and yes!
And the Top Driving Songs List should include the “Woke Up This Morning” opening theme song from The Sopranos where Tony drives from Manhattan to his home in New Jersey… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNc3dobryUI
Yup
And the all too obvious “Driving Song” by Jethro Tull: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZqAEGwv8BE
Chuck Berry: No Particular Place to Go
Eddie Rabbitt: Drivin’ My Life Away
“No Particular Place to Go” is on there, but good addition with “Drivin’ My Life Away.”
A lot of really good songs on the list. What about “Country Roads”, John Denver?
Thank you for commenting! We got “Take Me Home, Country Roads” — such a good song!
I’m sure “Riding in my Car” by NRBQ would qualify!
What happened to “Hot Rod Lincoln”?
Yes! Commander Cody’s version was terrific. Which brings us to the whole album Hot Licks, Cold Steel & Truckers Favorites. In that vein, Grateful Dead’s Truckin’. LOC declared it a national treasure.
Another notable omission, how could we leave off ‘Truckin’? And for that matter, what about Eddie Kendricks’ “Keep on Trucking'”? I think we’ll need to do another Top 50 …
What happened to Aretha Franklin’s Freeway of Love. It was and continues to be an incredible song.
And we can’t omit a song that was featured in a 1999 Mercedes-Benz TV commercial celebrating the relationship between driver and car… PRAISE YOU by Fatboy Slim which is great driving music… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X_1o3Qw4KM
What,, you don’t recognize songs before 1960?
The 50s were definitely a golden age for car songs, which may have made this list double in size! So, maybe we’ll do an all-50s list next.
Yeah, how about” Beep Beep”
Where is The Beep Beep Song? The little Nash Rambler?
What a gem of a song, nice catch! I always loved that the song gets quicker as it goes along, a lot of fun …
See # 8
Great article, and lots to like about the list. A New England requirement that didn’t make it is “Roadrunner” by Johnathan Richmond and the Modern Lovers (the electric version is best!) Also, what about “I’m In Love with My Car” by Queen? Great, fun article!
Ah, how could we have forgotten Roadrunner, a uniquely Northeastern tune: “I’m in love with modern moonlight, (Route) 128 when it’s dark outside, I’m in love with Massachusetts …” Nice catch! Also, how could we have forgotten Bo Diddley’s “Roadrunner”?
“Roadrunner” was the first one I thought of! The best!
You missed one of the best driving songs of all time… the one I played over-and-over on a cross-country trip from NYC to Phoenix AZ… CONVOY by C.W. McCall https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=convoy+song
Love that song!
“Let them truckers roll, 10-4.”
“Rockin’ Down the Highway”
by the Doobie Brothers 70’s. Impossible to not exceed the speed limit with that great tune blasting.
Excellent list. How about the one-hit-wonder band Sniff ‘n the Tears’ “Driver’s Seat” 1978. The beat of that song will make you want to drive the Autobahn at about 200 MPH1
You beat me to it “Drivers Seat” is one of the best ever!
Also, Honeysuckle Rose for Willie Nelson. I just made a Spotify playlist with all of these songs if anyone wants to listen. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1LGwQhfC62s7UqhscFqdUN
That’s awesome Mario, thanks for that!
How about turning this into a Spotify list?
I made one ifin’ you want it https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1LGwQhfC62s7UqhscFqdUN
Cake didn’t make the list at all? “Stickshifts and Safety Belts”, “Going the distance”, “Long Line of Cars”? Nothing?
I’ll second this omission!
Theme from “Route 66”!
and “Maybelline”, of course (only for driving fast)
nice suggestion, there’s always room for more Route 66 songs ….
This is why I hate surveys. Songs missed:
Driving by the Kinks
Truckin’ by the Grateful Dead
Hot Rod Lincoln by Commander Cody
and
Henry by the New Riders of the Purple Sage
I hear ya, it’s tough to be exhaustive, which is why we’re going to do Another 50 Greatest Driving Songs, which will include those you mentioned. And as a Kinks fan, I’m kicking myself that we missed Driving
What about Johnny Cash’s One Piece at Time!
NRBQ ‘Ridin’ in My Car’
Yes. Leaving out NRBQ was a glaring omission.
And to be fair, the Q’s “Me & the Boys,” “Green Lights” & “Little Floater” are all contenders!
How about “Hangin’ Around” by Edgar Winter / Dan Hartman, 1972? A nice, catchy tune about a high school drop-out driving around aimlessly!
’59 Paul Evans (Seven Little Girls) Sittin’ in the Backseat
The first song I thought of after reading the title was Beep Beep. It was cute.