My top 10 travel songs

Listening to music on the move always helps to pass time and put you in the mood, and even if the song’s associations with travel are extremely remote, the songs I’ve picked seem to fit in best every time I fly somewhere:

1. Norah Jones: Don’t Know Why

Almost certainly the best song she’s ever done, soft, gentle, and melodic, this is one of the most relaxing tunes of all time. Provides a contrasting ambiance to the havoc that flying can often be.

2. Cream: Sunshine of Your Love

Redefining the idea of “Groovy” music, this awesome tune, inspired by Jimi Hendrix, (he later did a cover version of it) features a now-famous guitar riff and Eric Clapton even donned a raccoon hat while performing it once. Respect!

3. The Clash: Should I Stay or Should I Go

Assuming you’ve already made the decision if you’re sitting on the plane, this song still remains as a reminder of how arresting punk music can sound, even with a lead singer who can’t sing, toy space gun sounds (!), and repetitive lyrics.

4. The Beach Boys: Wouldn’t It Be Nice

An amazing song by Brian and the gang which beats any “touchdown blues” that I always seem to experience shortly before the plane lands and I’m about to begin the next leg of my journey. It somehow manages to be upbeat and epic at the same time, despite sounding enormously antiquitated.

5. Jimi Hendrix: All along the Watchtower

Covers are very seldom better than their originals, but this cool “riffy” re-do is far from reviled. Many people don’t even associate the original with Bob Dylan anymore, which is a little bit sad. Don’t take it personally though, Bob, but we much prefer the meatier, “twangy” version Jimi does.

6. The Beatles: A Day in the Life

There’s only one way to describe the chilling “Sonic Youth” style vocals: Atmospheric. Years ahead of it’s time (was this really written and sung in 1967?), A Day in the Life appears to be about a man who is on drugs and subjects himself to the pointlessness and triviality of the media. Or maybe it’s just a nonsense song.

7.Bob Marley: Three Little Birds

This song remains a classic to this day, because of the simplicity of the tune and melodic voices, not to mention the smile-inducing lyrics. “Don’t you worry/about a thing/because every little thing/is gonna be alright”. If only everyone could live by that motto, imagine how much the suicide rate would decrease.

8. U2: The City of Blinding Lights

As Bono describes (perhaps in a rather over-dramatic fashion) this song is about innocence and naivety. It has a rather towering majesty, with a tuneful, poignant buildup. It subconsciously reminds you of be about to touch down onto a towering city, such as New York or Tokyo. Not to be missed.

9. The Libertines: What became of the Likely Lads

This song laments the splitting up of one of Britain’s up-and-coming bands, after just two albums. Many bands split up because of arguments and explosive personalities, but few after so little time and work produced as them. It’s tragic, considering how popular and, in my opinion, brilliant the Libertines were, but the star that burns twice as bright burns half as long. A cool song, still.

10. t.A.T.u: Not Gonna Get Us

You might have good reason to ask why I’m adding two Russian pretend- lesbians to the list. Well, there’s got to be some variety, and actually, “Not Gonna Get Us” rocks. Every list has to have that one song that really stands out somewhere. A brilliant “flying” song, particularly for those who feel that by going on holiday, they’re running away from some invisible force.

What is your Top 10 travel songs?

Photo of ipod originally posted by hi-tekzonologic

Topic:  General Travel | 3 Comments
Tags:  music, packing

About the author

Paul Crompton is an avid reader and has a passion for cars and technology, primarily. He loves traveling to whichever exotic travel location which is cheap. His dream is to become an advertising executive.