24 More Car Songs for Your Summer Drive

To kick off the summer, the Free Press in May offered two dozen songs about cars and driving suggested as a warm-weather playlist — and invited readers to make suggestions for a second round.

No one can count all the songs about driving and cars, so no list can be complete. We got dozens of suggestions, so for July 4, and the rest of the summer, here are 24 more ideas:

Some readers wondered how we could have left off Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.” “Going places that I’ve never been, seeing things I may never see again” certainly fits the theme, and Nelson’s breezy style here is right for the season.

Released in 1968 with elements ranging from blues to acid rock, Canned Heat provided a different take on the same idea with their version of “On the Road Again.”

Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” stands out as a high-speed rocker that can get you down the road for a full six minutes, boasting about beating any car with “big fat tires and everything.”

Golden Earring’s “Radar Love” is perfect for those overnight cross-country drives, capturing the feeling as dawn starts to peek over the Eastern horizon with musical imitations of cars zooming by.

Tom Waits delivers a more melancholic driving tune with “Ol’ 55,” which has also been made famous by the Eagles’ cover version. Waits often worked cars into his songs, showing a deep appreciation for vehicles like the ’55 Buick Roadmaster.

Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene” speaks about lovers in the wrong car, coining the term “motorvatin'” — a brilliant addition to the theme. “No Particular Place to Go” is another Berry classic that fits effortlessly into the driving playlist.

Sammy Hagar’s “Trans Am,” also known as “Highway Wonderland,” gives us insight into what he likes to drive—fast and free. “Come on catch me if you can / In my Trans Am, Highway Wonderland.”

Rory Gallagher’s “Souped Up Ford” is another pure rock ‘n’ roll anthem about hitting the pedal to the metal, echoing the sentiment of legendary outlaw Clyde Barlow, who praised the Ford V8 engine for its power.

Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” originally released in 1988, regained popularity after her performance with Luke Combs at the Grammy awards. This frequently-covered song resonates deeply with many.

Michigan musicians like Ted Nugent (“Detroit Muscle”), Bob Seger (“Makin’ Thunderbirds”), and Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen (“Hot Rod Lincoln”) often lean on their state’s carmaking legacy. Songs from artists outside Michigan pay homage as well, like Old 97’s “Buick City Complex” and Blondie’s “Detroit 442.”

Canadian folk icon Joni Mitchell, who spent some of her early career years in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, deserves a nod with her song “Big Yellow Taxi.”

Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz” is a delightful short tune that humorously critiques consumer culture.

Kip Moore’s “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” aligns with the preference of millions of Americans, particularly fans of the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500, the country’s three bestselling vehicles.

The Beach Boys’ “Fun, Fun, Fun” glorifies the vibrant car culture of California, capturing the freedom and thrill of driving.

Cake’s “The Distance” is a modern twist on driving songs, exploring themes of success and the failure of success while driving in circles.

The Who’s “Going Mobile” is celebrated by reader Lou Hatty, who envisions it playing during his final ride, giving everyone a boost in speed.

Metallica’s “Fuel” was once the official NASCAR TV theme and was used in Dodge performance car ads. It’s an exhilarating tune, though perhaps not ideal for EV drivers or young children due to its language.

Rose Royce’s “Car Wash” is the perfect song for cruising through a car wash, making sure your ride is spotless.

Stephen Stills and Neil Young’s “Long May You Run” tributes a beloved car with heartfelt lyrics.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 24 (more) car songs to listen to while driving in the summer

Source: Detroit Free Press