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?
Very fun list! Here are a couple or few I like:
I Will Survive by What’s Her Name–Gloria Something Maybe?
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic–Sting (Or The Police?)
Jukebox Hero–Foreigner
Susudio–Phil Collins
Also I notice there is a scandalous lack of Journey on your list Separate Ways, Worlds Apart is a good one to start with, and Don’t Stop Belevin’. And When the Lights Go Down in the City…Just download the whole Greatest Hits Album.
Great playlist! It’s only missing one song…Ace of Base, The Sign. As in “I saw the sign (that spring’s here) and it opened up my eyes (or windows) and I am happy now livin without you (without WINTER)…”
It’s scary how similar our musical taste is.
Here are some you’re missing:
I can see clearly now – Bob Marley
Boogie Wonderland – Earth wind and Fire
Got to be Real – Cheryl Lynn
Help! – The Beatles
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
It Must have been Love – Roxette
Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington
King of Wishful Thinking –
Kodachrome – Paul Simon
The Power of Love – Huey Lewis and the News
Summer Breeze – Check out the Jason Mraz Version
You’re One in a Million – Bosson
Ones you might not know yet but should consider downloading immediately:
Live High – Jason Mraz
Love Song – Sarah Bareilles
Love Story – Taylor Swift
Geek in the Pink – Jason Mraz
Rain King – Counting Crows
Baker Street – Jerry Rafferty
Sunset Grill – Don Henley
2 tickets to Paradise -Eddie Money
Paradise by the Dashboard Light
Boys of summer – don Henley
All She wants to do is Dance – don Henley
Take It Easy – Eagles
Life in the Fast Lane – Eagles
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
The Boys Are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
My Best Friend’s Girlfriend – The Cars
Don’t Do Me Like That – Tom Petty
In the Air tonight – Phil Colins
Oh so many many more
I have to say Boston’s More than a Feeling in the early morning hours is a great song to drive to as well as wake up to!!!
More from Facebook and Twitter Friends:
Soak up the Sun by Sheryl Crow
The Entire Album of Jersey Boys
Who Wouldn’t Want to be Me by Keith Urban
Krafty by New Order
Another Round of Blues by Shawn Colvin
Weezer!
THANK YOU!!! I am always in a hunt for songs! Great Zunes!!
What about ….
Every Breath You Take by the Police
Take on Me by Aha
It’s Friday, I’m in Love by the Cure
More good cruisin’ tunes:
I Just Wanna Fly by Sugar Ray
Lean on Me by Club Nouveau
Cup of Life by Ricky Martin
Dreams by Van Halen
How can it be that ‘Beautiful Day’ by U2 is not on this list? It is a great roll down the windows down and blast it song!
I can’t believe I forgot to add it. That’s a must have.
More comments from Facebook:
Anything by Dave Barnes. Especially “Carry Me Through”
The Postal Service
Sublime
Soundtracks from really girly movies
Great playlist! The only “windows down” artist missing here is (for me) The Sundays. “Summertime” is the obvious choice for a summery mix, but “Here’s Where The Story Ends” is another good one that seems to fit into almost every mix.
Ooh, and I also noticed that you didn’t have any Motown on your list, so I’d add Martha Reeves version of “Dancing In The Street”. The Bowie/Jagger version is great for those of us who remember the 80s, but the Martha Reeves version is just such a classic.
These are all great. MUST hook ipod to car stereo…I am lame.
One you missed:
Can’t Stop this Feeling (the ooga chucka song.)
Oh, and what summer would be complete without Margaritaville? When I was little I thought it was an actual place, and I feel that any childhood in which one doesn’t feel the same is surely wasted.
Can’t Stop this Feeling is a great one.
I kept trying to put something by Jimmy Buffet on the play list but could not bring myself to do it. He is a voice of summer. He reminds me of the summer I spent in The Keys. I have his greatest hits on my Zune. I like him more in theory though than in actual listening practice.
I love it! All except that JB comment 😉 His lyrics get me every time, but I understand what you mean…it’s not the greatest voice. My boys love Hey Good Lookin – would that one work? And I’m stealing almost all of these for my own WD list – thanx! 🙂