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.

18 May 2015

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

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzCKrwOme2U

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

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W80Ae5hEOA

"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"

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm5TZX5hz3g

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"

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbJQT2eDseA

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?