Windows Down, Speakers Up. We Made You a Road Trip Playlist.
It’s finally warm enough to drive with the windows down some of the time. And really, there is nothing better than listening to your favorite song with spring air running through your hair. Here is a list of songs chosen by the Boston.com staff to help you forget winter ever existed. Skip to the bottom for a Spotify playlist that you can use.
“Woke Up This Morning,’’ Alabama 3
“This was the opening song from HBO’s ‘The Sopranos’ which played as Tony Soprano drove through New Jersey observing his empire. But I prefer the full, spoken-word version which is pretty groovy and, in my opinion, focuses on new beginnings. It’s an excellent tune to hear as the weather warms up.’’ – Sanjay Salomon
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“Blue Sky,’’ Allman Brothers Band
“Why is this the ultimate windows-down summer driving song? Listen to the lyrics: ‘You’re my blue sky, you’re my sunny day’ and then cue dueling facemelt guitar solos by Dicky Betts and Duane Allman.’’ – Joe DeFranceschi
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“Shut Up and Dance,’’ Walk the Moon
“It’s my son’s favorite!’’ – Hilary Sargent
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“Hang Loose,’’ Alabama Shakes
“Most Alabama Shakes songs make for great spring music, but the way the piano comes crashing in over the opening guitar riff on ‘Hang Loose’ can’t be beat for sunny, carefree music on the highway.’’ – Austin Tedesco
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“Ignition Remix,’’ R. Kelly
“Slamming the horn at the ‘baby gimme that toot toot’ line is a must.’’ – Eric Levenson
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“American Girl,’’ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“I drove a (rickety) convertible in high school and ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty was the song I always blasted on the first spring day that I could get away with putting the top down. From the opening riff to the closing guitar solo it’s a dashboard-slapping classic. A song that you can really belt out and enjoy while feeling the wind in your hair.’’ – Shannon McMahon
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“Want to Want Me,’’ Jason Derulo
“This song speaks for itself. With a chorus of syncopated beats and strong vocals by Derulo, it’s hard not to sing along.’’ – Ryan Breslin
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“Runnin’ Down a Dream,’’ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“Windows down, 80 mph. It just cooks.’’ – Adam Salsman
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“It Takes Two,’’ Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
“If you’re gonna blare music with your car windows down, you have to play something danceable and fun. It’s like an implied social contract.’’ – Roberto Scalese
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“Buzzin’,’’ Shwayze
“What I like about Buzzin by Shwayze is the acoustic sound it has. It blends well with the light, carefree summer time feeling.’’ – Ethan Gould
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See the above songs and more here:
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