Thoughts from the Archangel

So, it’s Labor Day weekend, and that means some good road trips.  Well, maybe not – gas is too freaking expensive to be driving all over all weekend, I guess.  Regardless, I’m feeling lazy this morning and don’t want to really THINK of a post to make, so I’m posting some of my favorite driving songs.

As the list below is so telling of, I prefer my driving music to be upbeat and, well, driving.  There are way more songs that are great to drive to than this, but I tried to limit the list to one song per artist/band.  I’m always interested in new tunes, so post a comment if you’ve got a great suggestion for me to add to my player for my next trip!

In no particular order:

• Kickstart My Heart- Motley Crue:  I know.  It’s sort of ridiculous, but it’s in that awesomely bad 80s hair-band style of ridiculous that rawks to this day.  Maybe it was used promotionally as this when I (and the song) was younger, and it might be because of some specific lyrics, but I always associate this song with Labor Day weekend in Indy for the NHRA Nationals.  Good times.
• Fuel- Metallica:  Almost blatantly obvious.  A hard-driving song about driving fast.  It’s a wonder I haven’t had a speeding ticket yet.
• Pretty Vegas- INXS:  A driving beat, and that JD Fortune’s a pretty hot ticket.  That part has nothing to do with driving other than, sometimes, when driving through the VERY FLAT parts of VERY BORING Indiana, you gotta have something to think about other than the VERY STRAIGHT interstate that stretches out in front of you.

JD Fortune (Fortune448.com)

• No Sleep Tonight- The Faders:  What?  You’ve never heard this song?  Well, here – I found it on a TV show’s soundtrackfor you.  TV shows have soundtracks??  Whatever, I like this song AND the message in it.
• Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N Roses:  I had a hard time choosing between this and Paradise City.  I liked the “urban” implication of Jungle a little better – it makes me think of weaving through city traffic at high speeds.  Have I mentioned that it’s a wonder I haven’t had a speeding ticket?
• Save a Horse – Big & Rich:  The token country-pop song on the list, Save a Horseis fun because it’s just silly.  It has a good beat, and it’s a windows-down, wink-at-all-the-bubbas-in-their-trucks song.
• Panama- Van Halen:  VH from the David Lee Roth era was way more dirty and fun than the rock-lite version with Sammy Hagar, with no offense to Eddie or the Red Rocker.  Another song about driving (well, maybe) makes for a great driving song.
• Rock and Roll – Led Zeppelin:  GM hit the nail on the head when they chose this song for the “rebirth” of the Cadillac line.  A little extravagance, a little flash and swagger, and driving a mean machine just mesh with this song.  It’s so…indulgent.
• Flirtin’ With Disaster – Molly Hatchet:  “and you are too, baby.”  Driving is somewhat dangerous, what with maniacs and speed demons on the road…oh, wait…
• Better Now – Collective Soul:  Collective Soul has an excellent set of songs that could be added to this list, but Better Nowmanages to make me feel pumped, even after a long day – sort of like driving in the sunshine.  So, combining the two was a no-brainer and an instant winner.
• Every Little Thing Counts – Janus Stark:  Used as background music for running back speed and moves in a football movie (Varsity Blues), I think this songs translates well to driving.
• My Favourite Game- The Cardigans:  The Cardigans got a bad rap as a pop-lite group with their hit, Lovefool.  That rap is a bit undeserved, because if you listen to the lyrics behind the happy sound, they’re dark and somewhat disturbing.  So, I bought Gran Tourismo, their next album and Gameis a kickass song.  It doesn’t hurt that the video includes driving…and beheading.
• Desire – U2:  This one is great to sing along to while driving.  It’s a good thing that cars have cruise; I tend to accelerate with the song. 

What about you?  Any suggestions?  Additions?  Corrections?