LIST: Car Songs, Vol. 1

Is there anything more American than rock and roll?  Okay, more American than apple pie, baseball, corporate greed and rock and roll?  Yes, the automobile, as evidenced by the insane culture we’ve built around it (says the very sane man who would sooner undergo elective surgery than sell his ‘88 Landcruiser).  We love our cars so much that sometimes we just have to sing about them and the world of back-roads and cup-holders we’ve built to keep them happy.

There is so much material on the subject, in fact, that I’ve had to break the list into sub-categories and omit numerous excellent songs by bands who have made the Car Song their bread and butter.  Thanks to Cake, Modest Mouse, Gearhead Records and the entire country music industry for devoting a disproportionate amount of time and energy to Cars and Driving.  This one's for you!

Vol. 1: Classic Models

1. "Panama" Van Halen
2. "Drive My Car" Beatles
3. "King of the Road" Roger Miller
4. "On the Road Again" Willie Nelson
5. "Low Rider" War
6. "Highway to Hell" AC-DC
7. "Cars" Gary Numan
8. "Little Deuce Coup" Beach Boys
9. "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" Bobby Troupe
10. "Red Barchetta" Rush
11. "Old '55" Tom Waits
12. "Highway Kind" Townes Van Zandt
13. “Thunder Road” Bruce Springsteen
14. "Drive" The Cars
15. "Truckin" Grateful Dead
16. "Down the Highway" Bob Dylan
17. "I Can't Drive 55" Sammy Hagar
18. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" John Denver
19. "Rockin' Down the Highway" Doobie Brothers
20. “Brand New Cadillac” The Clash