Your "On the Road" Playlist

Hi everyone,

I recently read a graphic novel called Hippie Trail about travel, which came with a playlist (available on a site via QR code, but that’s not the main point). The music is from the 60s/70s, and we all know the classics from that era on the theme of the road (or at least I imagine so). That’s why I thought I’d ask you for your ideal playlist—with some more recent and lesser-known tracks. I was thinking of a list of ten songs, as varied as possible, to broaden our horizons (that’s the point of travel, right?). So: old and new songs, hits and hidden gems, tracks in French or other languages, sounds from the West, the East, Africa, the Americas, or elsewhere—jazz, classical, rock… Personally, I’ll admit I’m not super musically cultured, which is why I’m turning to you to help fill in the gaps

Here’s my On the Road playlist (no particular order):

- Hit the Road Jack, by Ray Charles - In the Steppes of Central Asia, by Borodin - Barcarolle, by Offenbach - Al Otro Lado Del Río, by Jorge Drexler - Nationale 7, by Charles Trenet - On ira, by Zaz - On the Road Again, by Bernard Lavilliers - Emmenez-moi, by Charles Aznavour - Sur la route, by Raphaël - Clandestino, by Manu Chao

What’s yours?

Hi Caroline,

Love this idea—I’d love to jump in! Just a snapshot, and tomorrow the lists would be totally different. Let’s set the classics of the era aside (except The Byrds). What’s coming to mind right now:

(1)

Road to Nowhere, by Talking Heads

Ride into the Sun, by Velvet Underground

Hitch Hiker, by Pearl Jam

Heygana, by Ali Farka Touré

Barstow: Eight Hitchhikers’ Inscriptions, by Harry Partch

Ghost on the Highway, by Jeffrey Lee Pierce & The Gun Club

Riders on the Storm, by The Doors

Train Song, by Tom Waits

The Open Prairie, by Bill Frisell/Aaron Copland

Road Trippin’, by Red Hot Chili Peppers

(2)

Longue Route (Remix), by The Young Gods

Big Road Blues, by Canned Heat

Outside El Paso, by Iron & Wine

Graceland, by Paul Simon

Driven Death Valley Blues, by Mark Lanegan Band

Bridge to Nowhere, by Calexico

Marrakesh Express, by Crosby Stills & Nash

Montana, by Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

Ride the Rail, by Giant Sand

Night Driving, by David Thomas & The Two Pale Boys

To kick off this lovely Sunday, two great video examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hEfcawx6Fc

("I wasn’t born to follow," here performed by the amazing Byrds, Easy Rider version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAntycF_wLo

("Travel On," traditional American arranged/performed by Neil Young & Crazy Horse)

Have a great Sunday, Hery

Thanks so much for your playlist—it’s way more original than mine! I’ve already listened to some of the tracks and really like both links. If you’ve got any other ideas, don’t hesitate to share them. 🙂

Hey! Some music—what a great idea! Hery already shared a solid list, here are a few more:

I love the beat on this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBN86y30Ufc

Then, another classic "On the Road Again" with Canned Heat.

Red Hot Chili Peppers "Road Trippin'".

A fun one with La Crevette d'Acier "Corine".

By the sea with Renaud "Dès que le vent soufflera".

And this one—the video is so cute! <3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHRKI21sd8k

Hi Anne, and thanks for sharing! Corinne, that’s really nice, and Danse de sourire is such a mood-lifter—it’s great for a boost 🙂

Hi Caroline,

Here are two more lists:

(3)

One Way Donkey Ride, by Sandy Denny

Dream Land, by The Pet Shop Boys

A Night in Tunisia, by Dizzy Gillespie

Long Long Road, by Incredible String Band

Travelling by Steam, by Fairport Convention

Under African Skies, by Paul Simon & Miriam Makeba

Assikal (Le voyage), by Tamikrest

Should Be Gone, by The Feelies

On a Slow Boat to China, by Charlie Parker

Autobahn, by Kraftwerk

(4)

Truck Drivin’ Man, by New Riders Of The Purple Sage

Adieu, England, by Trembling Bells

Amassakoul'N'Tenere, by Tinariwen

Rambling Boy, by Charlie Haden Family & Friends

Reiselied “Ich reit ins finstre Land hinein,” Fragment MWV K67, by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Paradiesseits, by Einstürzende Neubauten

Walking through a Wasted Land, by Richard Thompson

Reno Nevada, by Ian Matthews

Midnight Rider, by The Allman Brothers Band

Am Meer (poem by Heinrich Heine), by Franz Schubert

To help endure the weekend rain (at least here), any frustration, or whatever bug’s going around, here are two more great video examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw

(“I’ve been everywhere,” by the ‘rapper’ Johnny Cash)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4k_InRXP-g

(“Oh Shenandoah,” by Charlie Haden & Pat Metheny)

Have a great weekend, Hery

Good evening again,

Since you love—just like I do—English and English (or even Anglophone) literature, here are the beautiful lyrics to Carole King’s song "I Wasn’t Born to Follow" (lyrics: Gerry Goffin / music: Carole King):

Oh, I'd rather go on a journey Where the diamond crest is glowing And run across the valley Beneath the sacred mountain And wander through the forest

Where the trees have leaves of prisms And break the light in colors That no one knows the names of

And when it's time I'll go and wait

Beside a legendary fountain Till I see your form reflected In its clear and jeweled waters And if you think I'm ready You may lead me to the chasm Where the rivers of our vision Flow into one another

I will want to dive beneath The white cascading waters She may beg, she may plead She may argue with her logic And mention the things I'll lose That really have no value In the end she will surely know I wasn't born to follow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8ktic8SS5U

Good night.

Albert Ketelbey's "In a Persian Market".

If you don't know it, is it worth checking out?