Back to the Eighties: Going Home

Original video located here. Accessed 16th September 2018

Song title: Going Home (Local Hero theme)

Artist: Mark Knopfler

Year: 1983

Why I like this song:

Well how else are you going to end a playlist of driving songs? A no-brainer true but you can’t argue with one of the greatest build ups ever crafted for a song – one that eventually gives way to an instantly recognisable saxophone. A victory theme if ever there was one, this is a great song to listen, as the title suggests, on a return journey. In addition, particular mention must go to the drums and the bass that conclude the song.

Back to the Eighties: Lonely Stretch

Original video located here. Accessed 23rd November 2014

Song title: Lonely Stretch

Artist: Triffids

Year: 1986

Why I like this song:

Continuing with the theme of barren roads and journey’s into the foreboding unknown, we come to the Triffids. Although Wild Open Road is perhaps the quintessential driving song (a title I will not contest), I actually find this more compelling. The horror of being lost and all alone in a barren landscape brought about by taking wrong turn…

Nineties Revisited: This is Not the Way Home

Original video located here. Accessed 8th August 2015

Song title: This is Not the Way Home

Artist: The Cruel Sea

Year: 1991

Why I like this song:

The title track on an album made up of driving songs. What more can I say?

Classics: Jump in My Car

Original video located here. Accessed 8th August 2011

Song title: Jump in My Car

Artist: Ted Mulry Gang

Year: 1975

Why I like this song:

Again, a song that everyone enjoys seeing on a driving playlist. Maybe it’s decreed by law that this song is a mandatory inclusion but who cares: It’s a rocking song with a hilarious narrative and far better than the horrible cover done by David Hasselhoff.

Nineties Revisited: Sun Hits the Sky

Original video located here. Accessed 13th December 2010

Song title: Sun Hits the Sky

Artist: Supergrass

Year: 1997

Why I like this song:

…Don’t where I’m going but it’s gotta be a pretty cool place…..

Nineties Revisited: Rearview Mirror

Original video located here. Accessed 10th December 2017

Song title: Rearview Mirror

Artist: Pearl Jam

Year: 1993

Why I like this song:

Again, the title says it all. I’m not one to endorse aggressive driving but this song really fits the bill of wanting to get out of a bad situation – which is most likely what Eddie Vedder intended.

Classics: Magic Carpet Ride

Original video located here. Accessed 10th December 2018

Song title: Magic Carpet Ride

Artist: Steppenwolf

Year: 1968

Why I like this song:

Born to be Wild may be synonymous with Harley Davidsons but what do you do if you don’t have one? You settle for this instead. Not that it’s a bad thing of course. Mind you, considering the music geek in me, perhaps it isn’t surprising that this song is included on this playlist. As stated in the opening line: “I like to dream / right between my sound machine”