Ok, so if you know me, you understand that the new year brings with it the likelihood of some serious windshield time in the upcoming months. I often times log 30,000 to 40,000 miles from the inside of a windshield each year. Much of this travel is by myself. So this leads us to conclude one of three things: 1) I am a lunatic and talk to myself all day (which is true by the way), 2) I don't shower and no one wants to ride ANYWHERE with me, or lastly 3) I fill my time with some killer tunes and sing at the top of my lungs because I'm almost always by myself (ding ding ding)!
In this slightly tardy episode of The Midwest Wanderer, I'm going to drop my Top Ten Best Road Trip Songs of All Time so far. Here goes...
10. The Weary Kind by Ryan Bingham
If you haven't heard of this guy, check out the website for Ryan Bingham and his band, The Dead Horses. Serious soulful roadtrip kind of stuff. You can find them at www.binghammusic.com. This tune is on the soundtrack to the movie Crazy Heart (starred Jeff Bridges as a drunken comeback country artist). This soundtrack was released in January, 2010, but these guys have been hitting the scene for some time before releasing their first album in 2007. Check them out....
9. Highwayman - Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson
Now just to be clear, this song was first released by another country legend, Glen Campbell in 1979 on the Highwayman record. But frankly, his original version of this song was weak. Johnny, Waylon, Willie, and Kris followed Glen Campbell's record with Highwayman 2 in 1990 and Highwayman Super Hits in 1999, which is when they did the remake of the original. Sometimes the best version isn't the first try. Check this song out on Pandora if you want to get a taste of this album. Time and miles fly when I listen to this.
8. Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
If you're not a fan of at least some of the Boss' music, then you probably aren't in elementary school yet. This is one of the most popular hits ever released from Bruce Springsteen. This song came out on the Born in the U.S.A. album in 1984. This is the quintessential Springsteen song. Hard to be on a solo road trip and not crank this song.
7. That was a Crazy Game of Poker by O.A.R.
This was a natural choice for several reasons. First, this fun tune was released on the album titled The Wanderer in 1997. Secondly, 1997 was my first year of college, and I'm pretty sure there were several crazy games of poker going on at the same time. Lastly, O.A.R. is a band that has just been making great tunes to jam out to for the last 15+ years.
6. Whiskey in a Jar by Metallica
If you haven't noticed yet, my iPod is a menagerie of genres. I listen to all music that is good. When Metallica released Garage, Inc. in 1998, they hit it out of the park with this one. This is my favorite Metallica road-trip song of all time....and it's even a cover! This is an old Irish drinking song that been covered by about 1000 bands, so giving credit where it's due is a bit tough. But I believe Metallica front-man James Hetfield gives credit to The Clancy Brothers.
5. All Along the Watchtower by Dave Matthews Band
Clearly this is a cover of the late and super great Jimi Hendrix. Jimi's version is stellar, and worthy of the list. But everyone has heard his version. Pretty much everyone has heard of the DMB, but not necessarily their version of this iconic tune. There are many live DMB versions of this song out on iTunes or the world wide web, but my favorite by far is the August 1995 version they recorded at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. First, if you've never seen a concert at Red Rocks, it's worthy of the road trip no matter how far away you live. Secondly, DMB's version of this song eases you into the song with an almost an a-capela version of the song, then it hits you why this is such a good road trip song...20 miles just went by and you only listened to one killer tune!!! Check out http://www.davematthewsband.com/ and http://www.redrocksonline.com/ just to get the full feel of the song.
4. Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise by The Avett Brothers
If my wife reads this blog, she'll be the first one (and probably only one) who will know that I'm stealing from her. Stealing songs she likes anyway. Sam introduced me to The Avett Brothers earlier this year. They have been releasing albums since 2004, but this great tune comes from their I and Love and You cd released in February 2010. This is a great disc full of tons of great tunes, but this one takes the cake. I will admit that it's a bit melancholy, but what road trip would be complete without a little drama. Check these guys out at http://www.theavettbrothers.com/.
TOP THREE
3. Crosby Steals Nash and Runsby Mel Gibson and The Pants
I realize there might be a good chance you've never heard of this group or this song, but I'm hear to tell you that Mel Gibson and the Pants are for real, and really broken up. It sounds like there won't be any new material for awhile, so check out their 2005 disc, A Mannequin American, for some killer beats and very insightful lyrics. Oh ya, and the front man is basically my brother-in-law (if common-law marriage still existed in Minnesota). Paper Shaper Shifter and Shark Sandwich are a few other great tunes that will put you in a wandering mood.
2. Heart of Gold by Neil Young
It just felt right to me that I would follow up a spin-off of the group Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young with a song from at least one of them! It's hard not to be a fan of Neil Young's songs, and Heart of Gold is definetely one that I am. This was released on the Harvest album in 2009. I think we're all searching for a little gold in everyone's hearts. Great tune for epic adventures! You can find Neil Young's website at http://www.neilyoung.com/.
Last and certainly not least...A TIE!
1. My Name is Jonas by Weezer and Pancho & Lefty by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson
I realize that a tie for first place is kind of a cop-out, but despite the drastic differences in my co-first place songs, both Weezer and Merle & Willie know how to pass the time with some great road trip tunes!
In the self-titled "Blue Album", Weezer came onto the scene in 1994. My Name is Jonas is hard to not rock out to. I'm not sure what it is about this album, but just about every song on the "Blue Album" is good. One of my all-time favorites.
I think Willie Nelson knows a thing or two about road trips. I thought it would be too cliche to pick On the Road Again, so I picked another Willie song paired with the legend Merle Haggard. Is there anything more to say? These guys just are flat out timeless.
I wish you all the best in your travels in 2011! Happy New Year everybody!!!
