I’m dreaming, hoping, wishing for summer. I can’t wait to drive my car with the windows rolled down, my hair slamming into my face and whipping my eyes until I’m forced to pull it back into a matted ponytail, while the children yell things to me and I yell back, “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”
We’re not quite there yet but I’m preparing in every way I can.
We pulled the weather sealant from the windows so they’ll open again. I keep washing the kids’ winter coats “for the last time” only to have frigid weather return. I squint frequently at the chalky gray sky, searching for signs of sun.
Most importantly, I’ve put together a playlist for my Zune full of songs to play with the windows rolled down. When I told Eve it was time to create a “windows down” playlist for her MP3 player of the questionable “fruity” variety, she suggested that songs on this list should be ones that are fun to drive to but also not embarrassing to be listening to as other people will hear them when we’re stopped at a light.
I disagree here because although I don’t know about her MP3 player, my Zune has a “send” button, which I could employ when I’m slowing down at a light if, say, my junior high nemesis is standing on the street corner waiting to cross as I pull up to the intersection. I’m covered.
So here’s my current Windows Down Zune Playlist:
Learning to Fly by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — Classic, best Tom Petty song of all time, regardless of what Tom Cruise thinks.
What a Feeling by Irene Cara — Get your Flashdance on with this little baby. My kids also LOVE it.
Under Pressure by My Chemical Romance — a slightly harder rock version of the original. Very nice.
Life is a Highway by Rascal Flats — Forget that it’s the McQueen song, this is just a great driving tune, much better than the 1991 Tom Cochrane version.
Two of Hearts by Stacey Q — I think this song originated as the soundtrack for a commercial but I will forever think of it as the song Tootie was going to sing and dance to on The Facts of Life for her big Broadway audition before she totally chickened out.
Cruisin’ by Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow
Can’t Stop This Thing We’ve Started by Bryan Adams — Definitely most drivable Bryan Adams and he has to be included since he was my first rock concert.
Bruises by Chairlift
St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion) by John Parr — You may want to get out of the car and start running while listening to this but you must control yourself, especially if there are children in the car.
Lovefool by The Cardigans — Sophomore year of college in a single song
Baby I Love Your Way by Big Mountain
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor — This will likely show up on every playlist I publish. You can’t really go wrong with The Eye.
Just like Heaven by The Cure
Cowboy Take Me Away by Dixie Chicks
More Than a Feeling by Boston — My dad and summer vacation road trips in a bottle. He was not ashamed to roll the windows down and blast it. I remember blasting this song out of our mini-van while waiting in line for a Ferry to Victoria one summer.
Kokomo by The Beach Boys — Inviting the warm winds
Forever by Chris Brown — This one works for both cars and spaceships
Miss You Much by Janet Jackson
Viva La Vida by Coldplay
Come Go With Me by The Beach Boys
Roam by B-52s — Roam all you want. Just stay in your own lane.
The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson
Fly Away or American Woman by Lenny Kravitz — For some reason neither is available on playlist.com.
Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
I Plead Insanity by Belinda Carlisle
Feeling Good by Michael Buble
Hold the Line by Toto
Suddenly I See by K.T. Tunstall
Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer
If you’re planning on buying any of the songs here, stop supporting proprietary digital formats and buy from the Zune site. They’ll work on ANY device, including those of the fruity varieties. Your software will suck up any songs purchased on Zune and transfer them over.
Any songs I’m blatantly missing?