CarThrottle Asks: What’s Your Favorite Driving Music?
The last go-round was so much fun, here comes round two! In case you missed out last time around, CarThrottle Asks is a new column that’s all about you. I, your loyal writer, pose an automotive-related question. You drop a comment, and debate ensues. It’s web 2.0, baby -- have your say!
Today we’re not so much discussing cars as discussing driving itself. The tie-in between music and automobiles (at least in America) runs strong and deep. Prince worshiped at the idol of the Little Red Corvette, Sammy Hagar just couldn’t drive 55 (and with a Mustang Boss 429, who can?) and even Sir Mix Alot couldn’t escape the allure of a girl who had it goin’ on like a Turbo ‘Vette. I bet Callaway appreciated the free publicity from that.
But more than just automotive references in songs (and I could go on all day long), music is to many people a crucial part of the driving experience. Music can interact with your psyche and make a boring drive fun, or make a hard drive that much more exciting. It’s all about personal preference, but I’ll share some of my favorite driving music with you.
Muse- Butterflies and Hurricanes
For me, hard-driving music doesn’t get any better than older Muse albums. Before they became a modern-day Queen knockoff, Muse was just about the best pedal-to-the-floor music out there. The song “Butterflies and Hurricanes” is an orgy of electric guitar riffs mixed with epic, driving piano rythms. It’s entrancing. Just don’t blame me if you average 8mpg after listening to “Absolution.”
Jay-Z: 99 Problems
“Now the year’s ’94 and my trunk is raw, in the rearview mirror is the motherf***in law, I got two choices y’all, pull over the car or bounce on the double put the pedal to the floor. And I ain’t trying to see how they chase with Jay, plus I got a few dollars I can fight the case, so I pulled over to the side of the road and heard ‘Son do you know what I’m stoppin’ you for?”
What else do I have to say here?
Eric Hutchinson: “Rock and Roll”
There’s no better music for hitting I-40 East-bound, setting the cruise at 70, and pointing the front of the 900 towards Wilmington for some time on the beach. It’s sweet and heartfelt, happy and genuine, and very catchy. “Rock and Roll” is especially great for that relaxed, “we’ll get there when we get there” road trip you’ve been meaning to take. C’mon, you can afford the vacation days.
Led Zeppelin: “When the Levee Breaks”
Another fantastic hard-driving song, although it’s almost impossible to pick just one Led Zeppelin song, or even album. In fact, just put your iPod on “Shuffle Songs” and open Led Zeppelin’s Greatest Hits, hit play, and rock out. If you don’t find yourself speeding a bit, you have no soul.
Now, I’ve got about 27 gigabytes of music on my old iPod, and this is just the tip of the iceberg for me. But CarThrottle Asks isn’t about me, it’s about you. What do you like to rock out to in the car?

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Golden Earring – ‘Radar Love’.
The BEST driving track. Ever.
Ohhh, good choice!
Different types of driving dictate different types of music or songs. How many gearheads are secretly creatives? Artists carefully considering how the rhythm, melody, and overall feel of a piece of music compares to a vision in their head of a particular automotive scene.
I would have commented on this one anyway, James, but to start off with “Butterflies and Hurricanes” means I just have too. Picture this: Car being unloaded off trailer in parking lot. Cut back and forth between car slowly being unloaded and passing tech at the track and scenes on the street in motion. Something happens on the street – an accident, windowed block, something. Now shots switch between car at track launching, crossing the line, passing the other car, competition views in the moment, and people working on the car back at the shop.
The car pulls out of the garage at dusk, sits at a red light. The car rolls around the corner from the staging lanes and stages. As the piano solo begins, slow motion of both launches, full coverage of the run from start to finish. I think it’s a bout 14 seconds long.
“Butterflies and Hurricanes” is about never giving up. It’s about getting one more chance to say “Fuck all. I am going to do this.”
Just about anything by Pendulum or Prodigy could work for driving music, but I like to mix it up a bit. Ever considered some good, old fashioned death metal?
Try Dimmu Borgir. Give it more than a minute. It’s brutally hard, but it’s not what you think. If you like “Butterflies and Hurricanes” you might also like “The Serpentine Offering” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAmMcBQavKE
I’ve also been very impressed with much of the more recent Amon Amarth material. A lot of their material is based on Viking folklore. It’s heavy and often conjures images of invaders on horseback. Cars replaced the horse. “Gods of War Arise” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpnXBVcMdBw
Driving isn’t always about covering hundreds of miles to kill everyone, burn the village, and return to the ship with the spoils of victory. Sometimes, it’s about unwinding and having fun. For those times, I like to dust off some of the classics.
Who here doesn’t see a red 300ZX when they hear “You Really Got Me Now” by Van Halen? Those Nissan commercials were epic success for Nissan back in the 90s.
And speaking of Van Halen, “Hot for Teacher” is a great tune for haulin’ ass, while “Mean Street” is perfect for cruising.
LOL @ “Hot for Teacher” video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XLKcMoXRE
And, since I’m randomly jamming out this morning (thanks to this post), I’ll close by seeing Andy’s “Radar Love” and raising one “Black Betty.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMLnDuzgkjo
Excellent idea for a post.
I agree with Brian Diggs. Different circumstances call for different music. For instance, anyone who drives long distances a lot needs a stash (CD, tape, etc.) of “wake-up music,” for times when he’s tempted to nod off. And make track #1 Ike and Tina’s “Proud Mary.”
ohh, good choice. I always stash a third eye blind album for such purposes, though.
Hmmm good question James, I have many types but depending on my mood, it could go for some tunes from the Killers, and other times Papa Roach is needed.